How Gracey blends country music, community, and marketing success
Interview with Gracey Denham Jones - BMktg property marketing specialist - Ray White Rural Parkes| Forbes| Condobolin| West Wyalong.
You also hold a Class 2 Real Estate Licence, meaning you understand both the marketing and legal side of property. How does having that dual expertise help you support your clients through their property journey?
Having both marketing experience and my real estate licence gives me a really well-rounded understanding of the property process. I understand that selling a home isn’t just about creating a great ad, there are legal requirements, negotiations, strategy and a lot of trust involved.
It allows me to better understand the bigger picture and support the team and our clients from multiple angles. I can look at a property through the eyes of a marketer but also understand the importance of compliance and the responsibilities involved in real estate.
Ultimately, it’s about creating the best possible experience for clients and helping them feel confident that their property is being looked after.
You're a proud Parkes local - what is it about the community spirit out here that keeps you so motivated to give back?
Growing up in Parkes, I’ve always had a huge appreciation for the opportunities and support that regional communities provide. There is something really special about the way everyone gets behind each other and celebrates local achievements.
I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in so many different parts of our community, through music, dance, real estate and other events, each experience has shown me how much talent, passion and generosity exists in regional towns.
I love being able to contribute in different ways, whether that’s helping promote local businesses, giving young dancers opportunities, creating music that represents our region, or being involved in events that bring people together. I think regional communities thrive when people are willing to get involved and I feel very lucky to be part of that.
We definitely have to mention the Elvis Festival! What was it like being named Miss Priscilla, and how did it feel to celebrate such a huge local tradition like that?
Being named Miss Priscilla was honestly one of the most special moments of my life. The Parkes Elvis Festival is such a huge part of who we are as a town and to have the opportunity to represent something that brings so much happiness, excitement and connection to our community was such an honour.
I went into the competition not really knowing what to expect, but it ended up opening so many doors and creating some incredible memories that I never could have imagined. One of the biggest highlights was getting the opportunity to perform as the lead singer in the Parkes Elvis Festival finale show, backed by the Tributes in Concert band. Standing on that stage, in front of such a massive crowd and being part of a production of that scale was honestly a pinch-me moment.
What I love most about the Parkes Elvis Festival is that it showcases everything that makes Parkes so special, our community spirit, creativity, music and the way everyone comes together to celebrate. It’s given me the chance to meet amazing people, perform at incredible events and experience opportunities I’ll always be grateful for. It truly has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Between real estate, marketing, teaching at Parkes Dance Co., and your music, you're incredibly busy. How do you manage your time and keep your energy up for everything?
Embrace the crazy. I’ll admit, it definitely isn’t always easy and I’m probably the first to admit that I’m not the most organised person in the world! I don’t have perfect routines or have everything together all the time. I honestly just run my life off a very full schedule and a lot of calendar reminders.
I’ve always been someone who enjoys wearing lots of different hats, and I genuinely thrive in chaos. I love having lots of things happening and being able to switch between different creative projects, connecting with people and chasing new opportunities.
I think the biggest thing is that I genuinely love what I do. When you’re passionate about something, it gives you energy rather than taking it away. I’ve learnt that staying on top of my commitments, planning ahead and making sure I give everything the attention it deserves is important, but I also think embracing the craziness is part of who I am. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As we head into the warmer spring months, what are you most looking forward to, both in the regional property market and with your music career?
There are so many exciting things happening heading into spring! In the property space, it’s always an exciting time of year as people start thinking about making moves, selling, buying and creating new opportunities. I’m really looking forward to continuing to support our agents helping them bring their listings to life through creative marketing and finding new ways to connect properties with the right buyers.
On the music side, I have some new music coming out that I’m incredibly excited to announce very soon. I’ve also got some amazing performances booked, including some festivals, which I’m really looking forward to.
It’s an exciting season of growth, creativity and new opportunities and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead. I feel very lucky to be able to balance both worlds, helping people through real estate while continuing to chase my passion for music. Yes, you can be a country music singing, dance teaching, marketing agent if you want to!
Now that the Rural Muster has wrapped up, what was the highlight of the event for you? What did it feel like performing for a room full of people who share that same deep connection to regional Australia?
The whole event was such a great experience, but I think the highlight was just being able to bring country music into a room full of people who genuinely understand and love regional and rural Australia. There was such a fun energy in the room and it felt like the perfect crowd to play for. It was also a lot of fun getting to wear my cowgirl hat at the Sofitel in Sydney, I don’t think they see too many of those walking through the lobby!
How did the crowd react to your set? Did you have a favourite song or moment from the performance?
The crowd were all country music fans! It was so much fun and they really got behind the music, which always makes my job easy! My favourite song of the night was probably Choosin’ Texas. We’re all loving Ella Langley at the moment, so it was such a fun one to throw into the set and definitely matched the vibe of the night. Seeing people singing along, dancing and enjoying themselves is always my favourite part of performing.
You’ve shared the stage with some massive names like Vera Blue and Amber Lawrence. What is it about playing for crowds across the Central West that makes it so unique compared to other regions?
There’s something really special about Central West crowds. People are down-to-earth, they love a good time and they genuinely get behind live music. There’s also such a strong sense of community. You’ll often look out into the crowd and see familiar faces alongside people you’ve never met before, but everyone feels like they’re there together. I’ve been lucky enough to perform at some incredible events and alongside artists I really admire, but getting to perform throughout the Central West will always feel like home.
A little inside info… I’ve also got some exciting things happening behind the scenes at the moment, with a brand new single officially coming out on September 25th! I can’t share too much just yet, but I’m very excited for everyone to hear it!