Halley Neal

When Neal expressed interest in applying to Berklee College of Music, Gram encouraged her to go for it and supported her along the way. Neal says, “I didn’t know this until later, but she also had set aside some money to contribute to the cost of my college education. She just wanted to see me succeed in something I was passionate about, and she didn’t worry if my passion would or wouldn’t provide me with a traditional lifestyle.” 

Neal says, “She was open and adaptive and excited for me for wanting to pursue something that she probably didn’t fully understand but was willing to get to know.” And she did. She attended every show, whether a three-hour solo show, two scenes of a community theater musical ensemble, or a show at a bar. The last time Gram saw her granddaughter play was at Berklee’s commencement concert at Agganis Arena in Boston. Neal says, “I was chosen to participate in this large final send-off concert and sang a beautiful song backed by an extraordinary band in one of the most luscious and largest venues I’d ever performed in.” And Gram was there for it, smiling and cheering her on from the front row. 

Neal moved to Nashville shortly after the concert and didn’t play much in the New England area in the next few years.  Gram began to decline due to dementia during this time, so this would be the last show she’d attend.

Neal’s upcoming album, “Beautiful and Blue,” honors Gram’s inspiring positivity and encouragement. As Neal grows and understands Gram's struggles, she now sees the importance of prioritizing happiness and positivity in her life. Neal says, “I think her encouraging me to be happy and pursue my dream, in turn, brought her joy. And it was joy that I think she chose to feel. Because I sometimes think when folks live in a life full of pain and hardship, they can choose to wade around in that pain, or they can choose to find joy.” This is the essence of Halley Neal and “Beautiful & Blue” - knowing that there is a lot of pain in life but choosing to seek out and find the joy, or at the very least, the lesson.