Abigail Osteen

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Zhoey Lumpkin came all the way from Perkinston to attend the world premiere of Abigail Osteen's first music video Thursday night at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education.

Her friend, Jaden Knight, carried a sign that said "Abigail," and Zhoey's sign proclaimed "Limitless."

They came with Zhoey's mother, Victoria Jones, who works with Abigail's mother and has followed the teen's career.

"Driving this distance to see Abigail is worth it," Jones said.

More than 200 people attended the premiere of Abigail's video, "The Best That I Can Do," and hear her in concert. This was the 16-year-old's first time to perform with a full band.

Previously, the singer-songwriter performed solo on the guitar, piano or the ukulele. She taught herself how to play those instruments.

Abigail has been performing publicly since she was 13. She won the Songwriter Shootout last year on the opening night of the Nashville Songwriters Association International Songwriters Festival in Ocean Springs.


Jaden Knight, left, and Zhoey Lumpkin of Perkinston hold up the signs they had made to show during the world premiere of Abigail Osteen's first music video. The concert was Thursday night at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education. (The Mississippi Press/Susan Ruddiman)
Thursday night, she performed seven songs that will be on an upcoming album. Then, the video was presented to the audience.

"The Best That I Can Do" was filmed in Ocean Springs in late June.

Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran gave the welcome.

"Abigail is extremely talented and we are so proud to have her among the budding musicians in Ocean Springs," Moran said.
- Susan Ruddiman, Mississippi Press

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi - Singer-songwriter Abigail Osteen, 16, of Ocean Springs will premier her first music video and concert so that it will tie in with the DREAM Program.

Troy Trigg, director of the program, said he is thrilled to partner with Osteen with this unusual fundraiser that will be Thursday evening at the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education in Ocean Springs.

The proceeds from the ticket sales of "The Best That I Can Do" premier and concert will go to benefit the DREAM Program.

"The music video beautifully features Ocean Springs. Many of the children who participate in our programs had the opportunity to be extras in the video," Trigg said.

Founded in 2006 by Troy and Lindsay Trigg of Ocean Springs, DREAM is set up to enhance the leisure lifestyles of people with disabilities in Jackson County and surrounding areas. These people have the opportunity to participate in unified softball, canoeing, flag football, basketball, bowling and arts and crafts throughout the year.

The program now has 120 athletics participating with 80 partner volunteers who assist, Trigg said.

FYI

WHAT: Premiere of "The Best That I Can Do" music video and Abigail Osteen in concert

WHEN: Thursday at 7 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education, 1600 Government St., Ocean Springs

ADMISSION: $10

INFO: www.abigailosteen.com or www.themaryc.org

He said he was impressed with Osteen when she approached him three months ago about the fundraiser for the DREAM Program.

"I have played music all my life and consider myself a pretty hard judge of music talent, but Abigail has got it all," Trigg said. "She is really, really good. The video is just off the hook good."
- Susan Ruddiman, The Mississippi Press