If the meteoric rise of 17-year-old Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber is a surprise to anyone, it shouldn’t be. His “overnight” success really began in earnest at the tender age of 13. Even after his homemade music videos went viral, no producers or record labels could quite figure out what to do with him–“there’s no platform,” they said. Undaunted by the naysayers, Bieber, his novice manager, and his family persevered, and the rest is history–he even has his own illness–Bieber Fever.

Former Myrtle Beach resident and tween singer Gabbie Rae Trial, now 12, is years ahead of the Bieb, career-wise, in that she started earlier and has gone farther then he had at 12. And like her role model and big bro in the business, she’s moved to Atlanta, secured management and a recording deal, and is headed down the road to success as a pop singer. Like most tween and teen girls, Gabbie Rae has the fever, and like the teen she idolizes, many think she has the talent and the work ethic to see her own career blossom.

“Yes I have Bieber fever,” admitted Gabbie Rae, “and I’m in love with Justin Bieber—what 12-year-old girl isn’t?” It was at an early screening of Bieber’s movie, “Never Say Never,” that she saw just how close her own dream of success might be. “It was so inspiring. When they showed Justin in the studio I was so shocked. It’s the same studio [Icon Studios] where I’m working, and when [the movie] showed people I’m working with, it totally blew me away,” she said.

Gabbie Rae moved to Georgia late last year with her mother, Heidi-Lynn Trial, and father Roger Trial.
With several years of professional performance under her belt, including an appearance on “The Tyra Banks Show,” Gabbie Rae has begun to grow into her exceptional talent. She caught the ears of an Atlanta management team, Ian Burke and Stone Stafford, who’d like to help her create a little showbiz buzz and fever of her own. “As a manager who’s worked with [difficult] minors, and had to deal with parents trying to live vicariously through their kids, Gabbie Rae and her folks are far from that,” said Burke.

“They’ve been an absolute delight.” Gabbie Rae has been in the studio solidly since last fall, she’s auditioned for a couple of Disney productions, and has released one single so far, “Neverland,” with a lyrics-only video last winter and a recent full production music video out this spring.

A full length CD (samples on www.gabbierae.com) should be available this spring along with digital downloads through iTunes and most online music sources. Gabbie Rae and band look forward to a possible springtime Myrtle Beach appearance. “We’re going to take a vacation to Myrtle Beach in May,” said Gabbie Rae, who found it odd to be planning a vacation in her former hometown. Like Bieber, her confidence and infectious smile could be heard through the phone. “Give me a year—maybe I’ll be on the Grammys.”