Written by Administrator | 15 September 2011

When it all comes down to it, Amber Lawrence, the award-winning singer-songwriter has much to be proud of – having just been announced as the inaugural winner of the “Telstra Horizon Award” at the 2010 Tamworth Golden Guitar Awards. The award is to commend a young artist for their success in touring, recording, song writing and performing and whilst being young themselves, are excellent mentors.

This comes off the back of the release of Amber’s second album “When It All Comes Down” which received 3 prestigious Golden Guitar nominations for the 2010 awards, and is described as “country gold” (Herald Sun) and “one of the must have albums of 2009” (Capital News).

Amber, formerly a high-flying Accountant for Qantas, was a top 5 finalist for “Female Artist of the Year”, “Video Clip of the Year” (Don’t Do Lonely Well) and the coveted “APRA Song of the Year” for the title track “When It All Comes Down”. This all follows on from her 2009 APRA Music Awards nomination for Country Work of the Year (“Good Girls”), and her award for Single of the Year (“The Mile”) at the Southern Star Independent Country Music Awards.

As a kid growing up with her sister and brother in the heart of Sydney, right next to the airport at Mascot, Amber was more concerned with sport than music, being a promising athlete in the NSW State Team. A future as a country music star was certainly not seen as the most likely path. But sometimes, our paths are chosen for us, and a chance purchase of a country album at the age of 19, set the city girl on the road of her musical journey. The release of Amber’s second album “When it All Comes Down” in late August last year, has seen Amber hit even greater heights.

There’s so much to enjoy on the album, starting with the very catchy first single, “Don’t Do Lonely Well”, a sure-fire hit that reached #1 on Country Tracks Radio Chart and #1 on the CMC Charts. What happens when your partner goes away for work, or with his mates, and the phone bill suddenly takes on gigantic proportions? Surely, he couldn’t be having a good time without you there?

Then there’s the title track, an emotional song that asks the big life question: What does it all come down to? It was some of life’s tougher experiences – losing her beloved father in 2008 - that helped this gifted young writer find the words to express such emotions in a song that’s sure to be relatable to many listeners.

How about the tongue-in-cheek Women Like Me (Don’t Like Girls Like You), which will also be a familiar story to ladies out there determined to hold onto their man. Amber has written all of the songs on the album, and has some notable co-writing credits on the album, including hit-makers Brooke McClymont and Clive Young.

Recording the album with Golden Guitar winning-producer Rod McCormack was a delight for Amber, even though the year leading up to it had its share of joy and sorrow.

“Last year was a year I didn’t plan for,” she said. “My dad got sick in February. He’d come to the Golden Guitar Awards and saw me sing on the Awards show, but when he came home from the festival he went straight to hospital for treatment.”

“We all thought he could survive it, and every day, for five months, I’d go to the hospital and sit and write. It was good because I’d play the songs I’d written to Dad and get his feedback.”

“Sadly, he passed away six months before the album was produced, but he definitely had an input into the song selection, so this is a really special album for me – a healing album in a way.” says Amber.

“It’s actually surprising how happy this album is. I have a very positive outlook on life and I guess that’s reflected in the songs on this album”.

The result is an album full of inspiration, fun, and happiness. Amber certainly has a way with words, and her cheeky personality and emotive vocals are what shines through on this album.

Amber’s first album, The Mile, took her much further than its name implied. In the space of 12 months it propelled four consecutive singles into the Top 5 country radio charts – “Things That Bring Me Down”, “Gonna Fly”, “The Mile” and the third single, “Good Girls”, which hit the #1 position on both the radio and CMC video charts – and stayed there for five weeks!

Amber achieved two Golden Guitar nominations (2008) for ‘Female Artist of the Year’ and ‘New Talent of the Year’, and was the recipient of four of the nine awards handed out at the Southern Stars Australian Independent Country Music Awards in Mildura - an unprecedented achievement.

Amber is also building a reputation as a reliable and glamorous awards show and radio host - most recently hosting the Australian Independent Country Music Awards, and filling in for John Nutting on his high-rating radio ABC national program, Saturday Night Country.

Amber has regularly appeared as a guest and live performances on TV programs Sunrise, The Morning Show, Susie Show, Mornings with Kerri-Anne and the Channel 10 news, plus she’s featured in key glossy publications Cosmopolitan and The Australian Magazine.

Amber has performed at all the major festivals across Australia including Tamworth, the Gympie Muster and the Deni Ute Muster and has toured with artists including The McClymonts, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Melinda Schneider and the McClymonts.

Amber’s live performance is certainly one thing that sets her apart from the rest of the pack.

Amber also found time in her busy schedule to visit East Timor with The McClymonts to play for the Australian troops. “It was an absolute honour to be asked to sing for our troops. It certainly made me aware of how tough their job is, and how lucky we are to live in Australia.” Amber said.

For the remainder of 2009 Amber is teaming with fellow Country Music Association of Australia College graduate Travis Collins, whose live shows are known for their excitement factor.

2010 is an exciting and labour-some year for Amber, with 50 shows already booked in the schedule and tours with The Sunny Cowgirls and The McClymonts let alone her own Festival appearances and solo shows – Amber will be keeping the fuel pumps happy!

Amber is proudly sponsored by Maton Guitars Australia.

 

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Karen-Lee Goody of Entertainment Consulting,

Ph: (02) 9771 9055
Mobile: 0417 243 064
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