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home | bio | links | multimedia | discography | merchandise | gig guide | tv | news | reviews | contact |
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copyright 2005
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DECEMBER 2006
ROOTSTIME (Belgium Mag) - 30 December 2006 REVIEW BY FREDDY CELIS
The year started sticking out for this Australian siren with final eplaats as best female vocalist of the year and award such as Australian Songwriters Associations Country Songwriter of The Year 2006 for the number The Flood, a moving ode to her parents. With this number the kick off is given on its new CD My life, unwarped country album with 13 numbers which concern the things of the lives, such as love, loneliness and broken hearts. Musical influences zat for Felicity Urquhart with names such as Dolly Parton, Rhonda Vincent, Shawn Colvin and Allison Krauss and already singing tells it she has clearly also learned listening by attentively to James Taylor. The lady finds oneself also from time to time in famous gezelschap like then them could act as two-high rolling mill vocalist with the group The Ordinary Fear or god. Who???you will think, but if I say that this the hobbybandje are less of nobody than Russell Crowe, then the first feelings of jealousy will feel some ladies alas rise. Felicity are also a beetje an Australian version of Koen Wouters - except then that they is of the more beautiful female line - but we aim on the fact that they are boasted beside as a singer in Australia also some TV-shows sometimes also presents on the commercial station to Channel 7 and in the radio studio the microphone toefluistert for ABC radio Saturday Night Country. Its voice on this fifth album is beautiful with what raw emotion, vulnerability and uprightness in the texts, of what written has them there two himself. Music is pure country with what rootsfolk influences. The title track My life - that in Australia the top 5 obtained - a number has been written by Robert Lee Castleman. Other numbers were written o.a. Randy Scruggs, Already Anderson, Kevin Bennett, Glen Hannah and Jennifer Kimball. Spectacular figure for me is Lonely Girl in which she becomes very personal in the style of the Irish Mary Black. And also That Boy Sure Can Jump A train is to a beautiful melody on jet ear with what gentle drums which bring exactly sufficient rhythm in the song and let its pure voice reach fully expression. Mr. Catfish finally show that Felicity Urquhart also still what more than country in its top has, because jazzy-invloeden in this number leave all the more positive being notable between the other songs. Leuke album that certainly will address the liefhebber of beautiful ballads. (valsam)
NOVEMBER 2006
THE NORTHERN DAILY LEADER – 18 NOVEMBER 2006 WEEKEND MAGAZINE - ANNA’S COUNTRY MUSIC NOTES By Anna Rose FLOOD OF TITLES FOR FELICITY
Tamworth’s very own country music star is on a roll. And it’s going on and On, just like the gorgeous song Felicity Urquhart wrote for her new album, My Life. On Tuesday night in Sydney Felicity was named the Country Music Channel Best Country Artist at the 2006 Musicoz Awards. Musicoz is Australia’s premier music awards for unsigned artists, and she won the award with her very personal and moving tribute to mum Trish and dad Rex, titled The Flood. It’s been quite a year for the girl from the busy and her winning ways look set to continue, with the reception Big Black Cloud, her latest single from My Life, has received from country media. It’s currently sitting at #5 on the CMC video chart and is at #27 on the Country Tracks Top 30, just beginning its climb – which will hopefully end at #1. Felicity is not one to stay idle, and her busy schedule on any given week can entail TV commitments (she’s a regular presenter on the Seven Network’s Sydney Weekender), festival appearances, touring with fellow artists, corporate gigs or a myriad of other activities, but that’s just how she likes it. This year Felicity has racked up an enviable collection of trophies that would enhance any star’s mantelpiece: CMAA Achiever Award Best Independent Artist: Australian Country Music Awards Female Vocalist, Album and Single of the Year; and the Australian Songwriter’s Association named Felicity Country Songwriter of the Year. If you happen to be in Tamworth on Monday night, get along to John Muller’s Billabong Clubhouse Jazz Concert, in Blazes at Wests, as Felicity is one of the headline acts set to perform on the impressive list of artists. She may not be in country mode at this gig, but you can bet your bottom dollar she’s sure to sizzle. ….Felicity loves the chance to return to Tamworth and play to her hometown crowd so make sure you get along to the show and say g’day.
THE NORTHERN DAILY LEADER – 16 NOVEMBER 2006 FELICITY, ANTHONY, MUSICOZ WINNERS
The North-West region’s talent took home a swag of awards at this year’s Musicoz Awards, recognising Australian independent music artists. Former Tamworth girl Felicity Urquhart won the Country section of the awards and former Gunnedah boy Anthony Snape took out the acoustic and pop sections. The awards attracted about 5000 entries and were held at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Tuesday night. ….. Yumi Stynes and Jabba hosted the evening that recognised Australia’s best unsigned talent.
THE NORTHERN DAILY LEADER – 7 NOVEMBER 2006 TALKING UP THE REGION COMES PRETTY NATURALLY FOR A LOCAL GIRL By Rebecca Gracie
Felicity Urquhart is proud of her hometown of Tamworth and isn’t afraid to broadcast the fact. This week Felicity is in town shooting a promotional DVD for Tourism Tamworth to use a marketing tool for the city. Tourism Tamworth marketing manager David Woodward said the DVD was a showcase of Tamworth and Felicity was the natural choice as the country music artist has a lot of affection for her hometown and the region surrounding it. “Felicity is so passionate about Tamworth,” he said. “She loves the town and the region so much. “When we asked her to be part of the DVD there were no questions asked, she said she’d love to be involved.” Mr Woodward said Felicity always looks forward to coming home to Tamworth. “People have a real affinity with the town once they live here,” he said. Felicity said the DVD had been easy to make as she was just talking about what she loves. “It’s just natural – no effort at all as we’re showcasing the region that I’ve fished, camped and knocked around in,” she said. “It’s an honour to represent the area.” Mr Woodward said the DVD would be sent to all media and presented to members of the media who visit Tamworth for the Tamworth Country Music Festival and at the launch of the Festival in Sydney. He said the DVD would also be given to coach companies travelling to Tamworth to show to their passengers on their way here.
OCTOBER 2006
TALENT TOWN - NORTHERN DAILY LEADER - 17 OCTOBER 2006
Tamworth's Felicity made it back-to-back wins in the Independent Entertainer of the Year category, while her producer and guitarist Glen Hannah won the Cover Art of the Year award. Among the other major award winners announced on Monday night were The Pub, the Capital Country Music Association and the Country Capital News.
BACK TO BACK WINS FOR FELICITY URQUHART - 17 OCT 2006 By Anna Rose
In a field of high achievers, the Tamworth-born star shone on the night, performing to the sellout crowd at the Sydney Harbour Marriott, singing her new hit single, Big Black Cloud. Felicity won the award last year and was delighted to add another glittering trophy to her already weighted-down mantelpiece. “It’s such an honour to win this award, when I’m in such fine company,” Felicity said. “I just love
entertaining – always have – and it’s something I hope to keep doing for a
long, long time.” In another category on the night, Cover Art of the Year, Glen Hannah, a dual finalist, took out the award for his creative design of My Life, Felicity’s current album. CMAA project manager Cath Grippo said in putting the awards together, it was quite extraordinary the number of CD covers Glen had created. “I don’t know how he does it. He’s so busy as a professional musician, touring with Kasey Chambers, and yet he still finds time to create some wonderful artwork for such a large number of artists,” Cath said. The host with the most on the awards night was Channel 10 weatherman and huge country music supporter, Tim Bailey. The event is organised by the Country Music Association of Australia and awards are voted on by the organisation's professional membership. Organisers said this year a record number of members took the opportunity to vote for their peers in these unique awards that recognise the achievements of behind the scenes workers in the media, venues, record companies and the like. There was no chance for Felicity to take a long sleep-in after her big night out in Sydney, as she was up bright and early for an appearance on The Today Show, with Richard Wilkins, who was a guest presenter at the Achiever Awards. Following that, the consummate entertainer hopped on a plane bound for Rockhampton, where she will join fellow Golden Guitar winner Adam Brand on a tour of Queensland.
THE LAND MAGAZINE – 5 OCTOBER 2006 COUNTRY MUSIC IN HER BONES By STUART MACFARLANE
Felicity, whose fifth and first wholly independent album, My Life, was launched at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this year, was awards Album Of The Year for My Life, Single Of The year for The flood and Female Vocalist Of The Year. Felicity said the awards reflect an increasing number of country artists who are releasing their work without the support of a major record label. “It’s a lovely accolade to be nominated for the awards. More and more country artists such as James Blundell and Tania Kernaghan are putting out their albums independently,” she said. Felicity, who counts herself among the new pack of artists making country music more accessible, said that growing up in Tamworth ensured she had country music in her bones. “As long as I can remember I loved the country musicians who came to town,” Felicity said. “My parents were really into music and used to take me and my sister to concerts. Ever since then I was hooked.” Felicity said she started playing the piano at her grandparents’ house, before branching out into other kinds of music. “When I was a young kid, I used to sit at the piano like a goose and sing and make up songs, but when I became a bit more serious about it, I decided I wanted to learn the guitar,’ she said. “So I learned three or four chords from my uncle and then I hit the streets busking when I was 11.” Felicity said it was her early experience of busking which gave her a love of live performance. “Busking was an absolutely thrilling experience. I loved every minute of it. I took my cousins with me and we made $90 in half an hour,” she said. “It was then I realised this was the best way to make money.” “Felicity said she gained confidence as a singer the more she performed in public. “I sang everything from Slim Dusty, John Williamson, Patsy Cline, Dolly parton and Olivia Newton-John’s country tunes,” she said. “I’ve always loved everything about country music. Even when I went out busking when I was younger, I made sure I was wearing the country gear, from a cowboy hat to cowboy boots and fringing.” Felicity recorded her first, self-titled album when she was 15 for Hadley Records, with the assistance of producer Eric Scott. Since then she has won a prestigious Golden Guitar, recorded another four album, and been named Australian Songwriters Associations Country Songwriter Of The Year for her song The Flood co-written with Glen Hannah. She is also the reigning Country Music Association of Australia’s Independent Entertainer Of The Year. Felicity said she had found the experience of recording her most recent album My Life to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of her life.
“It is my first album since my split with EMI. “My biggest influences have been Alison Krauss, Dolly parton and James Taylor. I think what really makes them stand out for me is the emotion and honesty with which they deliver a song.” Felicity, who is about to head out on tour with James Blundell and Adam Brand, said she has had an unprecedented number of people coming up to her after shows to discuss the album. “It’s great to get such positive feedback about an album when you have put so much effort into it,” she said. “It’s great ? out on the road, and sharing your music with an audience. I consider myself extremely lucky to be in a position to do so.” Felicity said there was renewed interest in country music due to the announcement of tours by the Dixie Chicks, Dwight Yoakam and the marriage of Keith Urban to Nicole Kidman. “Even though country music seems to come in waves, it never really goes away. There is constantly more and more new and exciting music coming out,” she said. Felicity said she had been trying to diversify into playing at festival that aren’t just specifically for country artists. “We want to get people listening to and appreciating our music who might not consider listening to country,” she said. “Even though I am a huge fan of singers like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, I also like non-country artists like Maroon 5 and Sheryl Crow. “We want listeners to be able to accept and appreciate all kinds of music.” For the past 12 months, Felicity has also been working as a presenter on Channel 7’s television show Sydney Weekender. “I’ll often take the guitar with me and try to sneak a song into the show. I really couldn’t ask for anything better,” she said.
MILDURA INDEPENDENT – 1 OCTOBER 2006
Central Coast singer Felicity Urquhart was the major winner at the 2006 Australian Independent Country Music Awards held at the Mildura Arts Centre Theatre last night. Felicity took out the Country Music APRA/AMCOS Single of The year award, the Onestop Entertainment Independent Album Of The Year Award and the Australian Independent Female Vocalist Of The Year Southern Star Award. For Felicity it was a triumphant return to the Mildura festival, having performed here as a young star while a teenager and living in Tamworth.
august 2006
COUNTRY MUSIC & DANCE – SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND – AUGUST 2006 REVIEW BY GERRY FORD FELICITY URQUHART MY LIFE ~ SHOCK RECORDS (Australia) FU004
JULY 2006
ST MARYS SOUND CENTRE – JULY 2006 By Steve Perry FELICITY URQUHART MY LIFE With 2 hit singles already released to radio Felicity has only scratched the surface of this fine album. The album also contains the bonus track, Turn Out The Light, which was previously released as an EP. Felicity is one of the best female vocalists in the country and the great songs on the album showcase her vocal skills superbly.
JUNE 2006
Felicity’s having the time of her life – from Russia to Australia - 28 JUNE 2006 by Anna Rose
“The first thing that struck me was the colour – there was colour everywhere, not the grey, cold atmosphere I’d envisaged,” Felicity said. “I started peeling off layers of clothing as soon as I arrived. It was really warm.” One of the first people Felicity met upon arrival in Moscow was Kostya Tzu – a favourite son of both Russians and Aussies. Kostya was in his homeland to launch a new energy drink and Felicity soon became a fan of both the drink and the man. “Kostya has this amazing aura about him. He’s a very friendly, natural person to talk to and has a great sense of humour,” she said. Felicity was in Russia for a week, as a star performer for the Australia Week celebrations in Moscow. Fellow Aussies, The Audreys, were also featured of the cultural program during the trade week activities. “Seeing your face and name on a giant billboard on the side of a building does tend to make you feel welcome – and very special,” she said. During that time she learnt a few Russian words and phrases, and discovered the beauty of the city and its people. “I was honoured to be taken on a tour of the city, and to be invited into Lenin’s tomb, which was an awesome experience. I don’t think just anyone gets to go into that inner sanctum,” she said. “Russia is a beautiful place and the Russian women were drop dead gorgeous – and extremely fashionable.
“I didn’t do a lot of shopping, but there
was a good range of shops if you wanted to spend some money.” “The song they most related to of mine was Lonely Girl. I learnt to say hi and thankyou in Russian, which drew a round of applause at the concert,” Felicity said.
“I said at one point, ‘I’ll just pick up
my guitar lead’ and that drew a round of applause too, so they are very
nice people. Maybe guitar lead means something special in the Russian
vocabulary.” Felicity’s new My Life album, is #19 on the chart, in company with Ben Lee, The John Butler Trio, The Waifs, Mia Dyson and Hilltop Hoods. Felicity will take her music far and wide in July, beginning with the Macarthur Country Music Festival at Camden, NSW, and Harrigans Pub at Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley, on July 1 and 2. On Wednesday, July 5, Felicity heads to Melbourne for a concert at the Northcote Social Club, with support from Karl Broadie. The following evening you will find Felicity and Karl Broadie at the Palace Hotel at Warracknabeal. On Friday, July 7 Felicity appears at The Crossing Café, Deniliquin, and the following night she’s performing with Darren Coggan and Carter & Carter at the Moama Country Music Festival.
THE SUN-HERALD – 29 JANUARY 2006 CROWE MAKES PLENTY OF NOISE By Sarah Price
NEWCOMER Russell Crowe might have made the biggest noise but quiet achiever Troy Cassar-Daley grabbed the bulk of the gongs at the country music awards last night…… … Cassar-Daley said having Oscar-winner Crowe perform a duet with country music singer Felicity Urquhart at the festival was good for the Australian country music scene. “any star power that we can use to get people to take notice of what’s happening with out country music is fine by me,” he said. Urquhart said this year’s festival had been her favourite, not least because she launched her album My Life and played at a sold-out concert in her home town, but also because of the opportunity to sing with Crowe. “Russell, being a Hollywood superstar at the country music awards, I think it’s pretty damn cool,” she said.
THE NORTHERN DAILY LEADER – 28 January 2006 A FLYING VISIT IN PREPARATION FOR CROWE’S TAMWORTH STAGE DEBUT By Matt Adams
Russell Crowe touched down at Tamworth Airport in a private plane late yesterday before being whisked away to join country music star Felicity on stage for a rehearsal ahead of tonight’s CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia. The Hollywood actor and singer was among a list of country music artists who took to the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TREC) stage in preparation for the gala event. He touched down shortly before 4.30pm especially for the rehearsal and flew out last night ahead of his appearance at his annual seven-a-side rugby league tournament today in Coffs Harbour. He’ll then fly back to Tamworth for the Golden Guitars. Russell will be performing a song from his upcoming album My Hand, MY Heart with his band The Ordinary Fear of God, as well as singing with Tamworth country singer Felicity Urquhart.
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home | bio | links | multimedia | discography | merchandise | gig guide | tv | news | reviews | contact |
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TAMWORTH'S
well-earned reputation as the Country Music Capital of Australia was
further enhanced when a number of local performers and organisations were
recognised at the annual CMAA Country Music Achievers Awards in Sydney.
Felicity
Urquhart took out the coveted Entertainer of the Year (Independent) at the
2006 CMAA Achiever Awards in Sydney on Monday night.
Country
sensation, Felicity Urquhart was the big winner when the Australian
Independent Country Music Awards were held at the Mildura Country Music
Festival on Saturday.
“I
think it’s a really genuine record, which is important since I think
country audiences demand honesty,” she said.
After flying halfway around the world on
her own, acclaimed singer-songwriter Felicity Urquhart received the
warmest of welcomes in Moscow.