Desert Entertainment with Tod
Local Singer-Songwriter Gina Zollman Talks Josie Award Nomination and New Album
Gina Zollman, a genre-blending vocalist, songwriter, and performer known for her soulful delivery and sharp wit, is making waves on the independent music scene. She has been nominated for a Josie Award for Vocalist of the Year in the Adult Contemporary category and recently released a new album titled Originals.
The Josie Awards, often compared to the Grammys for independent artists, recognize musicians who are not tied to major record labels. With nearly 86,000 submissions across a wide range of genres, Zollman says the nomination itself is a major honor. “If you are nominated for a Josie Award, it’s a big deal,” she explained.
Zollman began writing songs at just nine years old, inspired by parody writers like Alan Sherman, Tom Lehrer, and the Smothers Brothers. While she recorded a handful of songs over the years, it wasn’t until 2024 that she fully committed to producing her own album. Working with Kevin Fisher, a songwriter, producer, and musician, she recorded 17 songs, many drawn from her catalog of more than 70 originals.
“Mostly, I write the lyrics,” Zollman said. “Kevin did about 80% of the music, all the instruments, and some of the lyrics. We both did backup vocals. It’s a real collaboration.”
Locally, Zollman can often be found performing at The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City on Monday nights during Joel Baker’s open mic sessions. She frequently performs original material by request, including “P.O. Box 3,” a song about her small summer town near Vancouver, British Columbia. The song is gaining traction and will be played on Canadian radio starting September 18.
Her album Originals, along with her full catalog of 29 songs, is available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Fans can also find her music videos on YouTube or purchase CDs through her website, www.ginazolman.com, and in person at The Roost.
Zollman will attend the Josie Awards ceremony on November 2 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. “I think being nominated is a win,” she said. “That’s what they say.”
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
September 11, 2025
Latest Instagram Posts
CALIFORNIA IS AGING FAST... BUT WHERE WILL THE WORKFORCE LIVE? #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #agingpopulation #nbcpalmsprings
119 jobs on the line and DRD’s General Manager won’t answer questions … Drop a comment 👇: Would you vote YES or NO on giving a district more money if they refuse to answer transparency questions? #therogginreport #drd #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings
Help us choose the next NBC Palm Springs Fan of the Week! Vote for Video 1, 2, 3 or 4. The fan with the most votes will win a pair of tickets to next week’s Coachella Valley Firebirds game! Voting ends Thursday. Who’s your pick?
Spirit Halloween has revealed its top Halloween costume trends for 2026, and pop culture is driving the picks. Off Campus, Toy Story, K-pop Demon Hunters, superheroes, Greek gods and warriors — and plenty of Dolly Partons — are expected to be popular. What are you dressing up as this Halloween? #Halloween2026 #SpiritHalloween #HalloweenCostumes #nbcpalmsprings
After a car drove through a walkway, damaging Bill’s Pizza, the restaurant appears to have begun repairs and is still open the following day. The neighboring store, Gallivant was also damaged and is closed until Monday. The store has a gofundme page opened for them by a neighboring bookstore to support the cost of the damages. NBC Palm Springs is following the effects of this accident and what this means to the Palm Springs community. #billspizza #palmsprings #continuingcoverage #localnews #coachellavalley
Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are using bioengineered baker's yeast to break down plastic into ingredients for cookies.
Camden, Arkansas, is the unlikely hub of US missile manufacturing after years of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have drained the country's arsenal. But the Trump administration's push to scale up defense production is colliding with the limits of the small, rural town.
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will 1) Devin Session with the diving TD, 2) Mason Flores with the dot on the run, 3) Reese Johnson with the clutch FG, 4) Kaylaun Smith running over defenders, or 5) Joshua Perez with the TD throw. #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
🏒🔥 LET’S HEAR FROM TIM O’BRIEN! We’re kicking off Coachella Valley Firebirds Opening Night and catching up with Tim O’Brien! Hear what he has to say as the Firebirds get ready to hit the ice for another exciting season. 🏒🔥 #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #Firebirds #OpeningNight #Hockey #CoachellaValley PalmSprings CVFirebirds
SHARE this reel to help find ‘The Fab 5’ a home! 🐶🤍 #therogginreport #palmsprings #dogrescue #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings