Ocala singer wants to get to Nashville. Her debut single is released Feb. 16

Emma Forgette is working her way up in the country music world by the numbers.

“Counting to 3,” a girl anthem about a soured relationship, was recorded last year atQuad Studios in New York. The debut single for the local 19-year-old singer will be officially released on Feb. 16.

The release will be followed on March 15 with the release of her second single, “Here to Get My Stuff.”

The song was written by Bobby Randall, lifelong musician, former member of country bands Sawyer Brown and Confederate Railroad, and current director of the Orange Blossom Opry Band, house musicians at the Weirsdale country music venue.

Forgette’s foray into the world of country music performing began about three years ago, when Conrad Marcum of the Conrad Marcum Band was DJ at her Sweet 16 party held at Eaton’s Beach Grille & Sandbar in Weirsdale.

Tara Forgette, Emma Forgette’s mother, said her daughter’s first time singing in public was when Marcum invited her up to sing while he was performing.

Marcum, whose Ocala-based band plays several genres, said Emma Forgette’s voice impressed him and he guided her to perform at several local venues like restaurants. She has continued to performed occasionally with the band over the last three years

Marcum’s band members include his father, also named Conrad Marcum (Sr.), and drummer London Bufford.

Marcum said Emma Forgette is now getting help from some pros at Orange Blossom Opry and “definitely has shot” at a career path as a country music artist.

Donald Forgette, Emma’s father, works with Lockheed Martin of Orlando. He has encouraged his daughter in efforts toward her country music performing goal.

Tara Forgette found out a year ago about a new talent night at Orange Blossom Opry in Weirsdale, where she has performed for over a year.

Emma Forgette also linked up at the venue with artists who would impact her burgeoning career.

Bobby Randall, Jim “Pepe” O’Baid, a longtime member of the country music scene and former reviewer with Nashville-based “Music Row” magazine, performer Jeri Lynn Fraser and Mickey Adams, former lead guitarist with the Orange Blossom Opry Band, have all contributed to furthering Emma Forgette’s career goals.

O’Baid has worked with producers handling headliners like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and hit song writer Josh Osborne. He said with his extensive background in the country music industry while based in Nashville over 30 years he’s become somewhat jaded.

“But I’m excited about Emma,” he said.

“Emma has a wonderful voice, great stage presence and makes a song her own,” O’Baid said.

O’Baid Is currently acting as Emma Forgette’s volunteer artistic director. He continues to help her fill her song list for an album.

Bobby Randall, currently director of the Orange Blossom Opry Band, the house musicians at the venue, has been providing Emma Forgette some mentoring from decades of experience.

“Emma caught my ear (and) her voice recorded well,” Randall said in an interview recently.“Emma is a real artist (who can) think outside the box. She’s going to be OK, singing with the crowd in her hands.”

“(Emma Forgette will) figure out her lane (and) she’s very focused. Emma is open to listening to others but has her own ideas,” he said.

Valerie Randall, floor manager at Orange Blossom Opry (no relation to Bobby Randall), said Emma Forgette is a “very popular” performer and has a “good following.”

Emma Forgette said the “Counting to 3” lyrics cover three steps in a dating relationship, akin to a strikeout in baseball.

She said her favorite songs to perform include love and relationship and deliver an emotional message.

Emma Forgette was born in New Jersey and her family was living in Maryland before moving to Ocala about 10 years ago.

She likes oldies sung by the greats like Frank Sinatra and his classic “My Way” and songs by Elvis Presley and country numbers by Loretta Lynn.

Emma Forgette’s soprano voice was first recognized around her home when family members thought her stylings were coming from a radio in the home.

Emma Forgette set her sights on a career as a country music singer while a junior at Trinity Catholic High School, and a family trip to the Grand Old Opry in 2022 cemented her career goal.

“I looked down at the circle (on the stage) and said, ‘I want to be there one day,’ ” she said.

She said her siblings, twins Karlee and Logan, age 16 , are a source of support. “Karlee even plays the guitar and sings with her some times,” she said.

Meanwhile, Emma Forgette kept busy in high school with marching band, softball, cheerleading, Anchor Club and choir. She graduated in 2023.

She can read music and has taken vocal lessons for a year.

More arts coverage: Remembering that time in 2013 when Toby Keith was in Ocala for a horse sale. Check out the photos.

She continues to perform at Orange Blossom Opry and has a goal of working in Nashville.

“I see myself in Nashville (in three years). I want to be living, recording there and traveling playing my music,” Emma Forgette messaged.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Emma Forgette wants to be a country singer in Nashville. Don't count her out.