WHILE many singers dream of performing at Madison Square Garden, Herefordshire's Sasha McVeigh dreamed of a venue a little closer to home.

And on Friday that dream came true when Sasha performed in front of an audience which included friends, family and former teachers at The Courtyard in Hereford.

Her journey as an artist started after the former Fairfield High School pupil completed her A-levels and asked her parents to support her dream of becoming a singerbecoming a singer.

They took a gamble, selling “everything but the house” in order to make that happen.

It was one of the best decisions they have ever made.

Since then, she's visited 40 of the 52 United States of America, performed to crowds of up to 20,000, recorded her debut EP in Nasville, the home of country music, and just this week has been named UK Female Country Singer of the Year by UKCountryRadio.com

Despite that success, she's loyal to her Herefordshire roots and her enthusiasm for the county shone through as she performed songs from her debut album, I Stand Alone, on Friday.

Each of her songs come with a story, whether it's a cute guy she met while on tour in the USA (Mr Brown Eyes), or about not being afraid to be yourself despite cruel taunts from bullies (I Stand Alone).

Funny and endearing, Sasha's warmth not only makes her a great performer but a really likeable person.

Her rendition of John Denver's Take me Home, Country Roads had most members of the audience singing along and she plugged her message of not buckling to the pressure that the music industry can put on artists to fit a mould.

Support act Acoustic Journey set the tone with their lively set, while Hereforshire singer-songer Lucia Nicole performed acoustic versions of songs from her debut EP.

Sasha's on tour for the rest of the month and dates can be found online at sashamcveighmusic.com