Kirsty Lee Akers

This is the first time in the long and successful history of Toyota Star Maker that an album recording has been offered as a prize, and released during the reign of the winner. Kirsty's record company - Compass Bros. Records believe Kirsty is a great talent and are excited about working with her on this album and into the future.

Kirsty is looking forward to big things to come for her from this single and album release, and you can help that happen. I'm sure your local radio station would respond to a request to play "Little Things", and we'd love that!.

The album was produced by Graham Thompson, Compass Bros Records Managing Director, who also produced the hit single-producing album Ring Around The Moon for James Blundell, Kirsty's label mate.

In August Kirsty will be joining James on his ‘Ring Around The Moon Tour’ which will see them visit NSW, VIC & QLD, with Travis Collins & Jetty Road. Kirstys Toyota Star Maker debut album will be available on that tour, so dont forget to check it out. Come and say "hi" to Kirsty.
website: www.kirstyleeakers.com
for enquiries & bookings:
TAMWORTH ARTISTS MANAGEMENT:
GREG WILLIAMS P O BOX 1681 Tamworth NSW 2340
Ph: +61 2 67662616 Fax: +61 2 67662616
Mob: 0408 255 908

Kirsty Lee Akers onstage @ Bunyip Country Music festival 2007
Everyone’s been looking forward to Kirsty performing at the wonderful Bunyip Country Music Festival 2007, so when she won Toyota Star Maker at Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, that just “put the icing on the cake”! Sunday February 25 was the date this year for a wonderful friendly multi-artist concert event at this near Melbourne country town’s 18th music festival, organised again by Joy Batchelor, and supported strongly by so many local sponsors, and attended by a legion of fans.

What a wonderfully varied lineup of fine Country Music artists Kirsty joined, with her guitarist Sam Lemann. From the fresh Young Talent Showcase of Nicholas Laing, Megan Puls, Jenifer Lloyd and Kristy Cox, then a mixture of experienced entertainers such as Greg Williams, Owen Blundell, Reg Poole, Brian Letton, Grant Luhrs and The Chook Raffle band, Stuie French and Camille Te Nahu, to popular young stars like Amos Morris, Sharnee Fenwick, Kirsty herself, and The Baileys.
Bush poetry started the day beautifully with J.J. Cuthbert for his 6th year, before the main stage Country Music was introed by the effervescent Andrew Embling MC, continuously entertaining the big crowd of enthusiastic patrons until almost dark. Excellent sound quality from Nova Sound, and the official backing band of Ed Bates – pedal steel, Mick Hamilton – guitar, Andrew Forrer – bass & Sharky Ramos – drums, were great.

Having won Toyota Star Maker on January 21, Kirstys life has changed forever, winning that amazing prize pool, providing her with so many wonderful opportunities for her rapidly developing career. She didn’t drive the prized Rav4 to Bunyip, but flew from Sydney to Melbourne, where Toyota gave her a new red Camry sedan to drive to Bunyip and use for the weekend! What fantastic support for this rising star, good on you Toyota.

Kirsty Lee Akers with Toyota Camry @ Bunyip Country Music festival 2007
“Oh, what a feeling!”

As this was her first visit to perform in southern Victoria, Bunyip was a great time for Kirsty to meet up with her growing numbers of fans, signing CD’s, hats, posters, programs, body parts, you name it, it got signed!
It was also nice for her to meet the other artists on the program, some old friends, others for the first time.

For more on Kirsty, visit her website: www.kirstyleeakers.com
Media release from Tamworth Artists Management – Greg Williams – gregrwilliams@bigpond.com

TOYOTA STAR MAKER 2007 - KIRSTY LEE AKERS
As if it wasn’t enough to have all those high profile gigs at Wests and Diggers Clubs at Tamworth Festival 2007, Kirstys dream run accelerated to breakneck pace with the winning of Toyota Star Maker 2007.

It’s been a fantastic 2006 for Kirsty, and 2007 continues that trend, with this major success providing her with spots and bookings all over Australia, firstly performing at Bungendore Country Music festival on February 3 and Victoria's Bunyip Festival on February 25th , meeting her growing number of fans. That new Toyota Rav4 and fuel card, part of her prize, will really come in handy now!

On Sunday January 21, 2007 at Tamworth Country Music festival her life changed forever with the Toyota Star Maker win at TREC. She’s now planning with award-winning Compass Bros. Records her debut CD album, new single and video clip, part of the multi-faceted prize. For the rest of the Tamworth Country Music Festival Kirsty was inundated with media interest, which continues still. Popular demand for extra performances at many more Tamworth festival concerts, because of her Toyota Star Maker success, meant that she touched many a new heart with her great vocal style and charm.

As part of her musical journey, in January 2006 Kirsty won the Telstra Road To Tamworth Songwriters award, which won her a trip to Nashville Tennessee to co-write with some of USA’s top hitmakers at Universal Music Publishing. She also had many opportunities to perform “live”, in and around Nashville, and wowed ‘em. The USA experience was invaluable for her as a singer/songwriter.

Her debut hit single, an original song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart” (NFS 104) was a Grand Finalist in the 2006 International Song writing competition, from 15,000 entries world-wide, making top 11 from 200 finalists. This single is remarkable, as its still being played heavily on radio more than a year after its release, and is enjoying new airplay now due to Kirsty’s Toyota Star Maker success.
Singing since she was 3 years old, Kirsty has twice graduated from Tamworth Camerata (2004/5) youth Country Music school, is a graduate of NSW TDP, a Star Struck winner and is sponsored by Maton and Fender, quality music industry names.
Website (sound sample available) www.kirstyleeakers.com
For bookings, information & enquiries:
Contact Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
emails gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
gregtam@bigpond.net.au
Phone/fax +612 67662616 (international), 0267662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia

Oh what a winner! Kirsty Lee Akers declared Toyota Star Maker 2007
New South Wales singer songwriter Kirsty Lee Akers has taken the crown as winner of the Toyota Star Maker 2007 competition, Australia’s oldest and most successful music talent search.

Twenty finalists were whittled down to a “final five” plus an additional “wildcard entry” with many competitors already established performers in their own right. This year, interest reached an all-time high, largely due to the increased prize pool and sky-rocketing interest in country music with many artists gaining mainstream appeal.

Toyota Star Maker 2007 winner Kirsty Lee, from Kurri Kurri, said she was excited by the prospects that lie ahead.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be awarded a prize that has started the careers of some of the biggest names in country music. It’s a huge opportunity and I intend to make the most of it,” she said.

Since stepping into the spotlight at age three, Kirsty has not looked back. Her musical talents have been recognised nationally and internationally. Winning the 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth Songwriter’s Encouragement Award, making it to the top 70 of Australian Idol and being named a grand finalist in an International Songwriting Competition are just a few of Kirsty’s achievements to date.

Toyota Star Maker has been a major stepping stone in the careers of country music legends including Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Keith Urban and Gina Jeffreys.

Previous Toyota Star Maker winners James Blundell, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys and Brendon Walmsley appeared as guest artists during the Grand Final last night (Sunday, January 21) together with last year’s winner Cat Southern who is a finalist in next weekend’s Golden Guitar Awards for New Talent of the Year.

Toyota’s Manager of Promotions and Event Management Wayne Gabriel said the finalists were of an extremely high standard and were all to be congratulated.

“With the announcement of this year’s prize package, competition grew incredibly fierce, but each and every artist rose to the challenge. The quality of the performances was excellent and all finalists have spent an incredible amount of time fine-tuning what they presented,” Wayne said.

“As we enter 2007, Toyota celebrates another year as Australia’s number one car company. Now Toyota has helped find a new star who might eventually become Australia’s number one country performer,” he said.

General Manager of Rural Press Events Barry Harley said that the new format which reduces the final 20 performers to five instead of 10 was appealing to both finalists and audience and increased the level of competition.

“This is undoubtedly one of the highest quality fields we’ve seen for many, many years – a big call for a talent search that has the reputation of being the ultimate in its category,” Barry said.

“The judges found the task of reducing the final 20 to the final five extremely difficult hence the wild card entry which brought it to six. The winner is bound to have the ride of their life because of the excellent quality we have seen tonight.”

This year’s Toyota Star Maker 2007 prize package is bigger and better than ever and includes:
Use of the title Toyota Star Maker 2007;
A big-budget full album recording session with one of Australia’s top producers;
A record contract with Compass Bros;
Distribution and promotion of at least two tracks from the album to radio and other media;
50 copies of the album for personal distribution;
Production of a video clip for one track by an award-winning director;
Media promotion including monthly exposure in Country Music Capital News;
Guaranteed bookings at a designated list of events including country music festivals in Tamworth, Gympie and Mildura;
A new BOSE Personalised Amplification System (PAS);
A Maton acoustic guitar;
Professional stage skills tuition from Stagecoach;
Invitations to a designated list of industry events;
A showcase performance at the Toyota Star Maker Grand Final in 2008;
A Toyota Star Maker winner’s jacket; and
Use of a fully-serviced Toyota motor vehicle and fuel card for the 12 months following the award.

For more information on Toyota’s commitment to the Tamworth Country Music Festival and other events please visit: http://www.toyotacountryclub.com.au

Kirstys Tamworth Festival Wests and Diggers gigs
It’s been a fantastic 2006 for Kirsty Lee Akers, and at Tamworth Festival 2007 it just continues, with 9 gigs at Wests and Diggers over a 12 day period, starting on January 17.

Kirsty will have a great band with her at each gig, so come along and enjoy the experience!
Wednesday 17 @ 8.15pm WESTS League Club - Legends Bar Stage
Thursday 18 @ 5pm DIGGERS Club, Kable Avenue- Courtyard Stage
Friday 19 @ 2pm WESTS League Club - Legends Bar Stage
Saturday 20 @ 2pm DIGGERS Club, Kable Avenue - Courtyard Stage
Tuesday 23 @ 2pm DIGGERS Club, Kable Avenue - Courtyard Stage
Wednesday 24 @ 2pm WESTS League Club - Legends Bar Stage
Thursday 25 @ 2pm DIGGERS Club, Kable Avenue - Courtyard Stage
Saturday 27 @ 2pm WESTS League Club - Legends Bar Stage
Sunday 28 @ 2pm DIGGERS Club, Kable Avenue - Courtyard Stage

To add to these gigs, Kirsty is in the Toyota Star Maker Finals @ TREC on Sunday 21 from 10am, also having spots at:
Camerata reunion concert @ Southgate Inn, Kent Street on Monday 22 @ 2pm
Telstra Road To Tamworth finals @ TREC as 2006 winner on Monday 22 from 3pm & 7pm
Maton Guitars Showcase as sponsored artist @ WESTS League Club on Sunday 28 at noon

Sooooooo Goooood!

Independent Rising Female Country Music Star Finalist Kirsty Lee Akers opened ADAM BRAND’s most recent concert @ Blacktown RSL Club auditorium.

As a long time fan of Adam, a multi-Golden Guitar winner, it was very gratifying for Kirsty to open his concert for the first time. The sheer number of Adam Brand fans in the audience is testimony to his status as a multiple gold and platinum record-selling artist, an inspiration to a young performer. Kirsty was thrilled with the response to her music from Adams crowd.

As well as her current hit record “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, Kirsty performed some of her brand new songs at this concert, backed by guitar whiz Duncan Toombs. Thanks to her Telstra Road To Tamworth songwriting award, Kirsty recently spent time co-writing with hitmakers at Universal Music Publishing in Nashville, Tennessee.

At Adam’s concert Kirsty played her brand new MATON Mini acoustic guitar for the very first public performance, celebrating her Maton sponsorship (more details later!).

She’s still “over the moon” by recently learning that she’s been chosen as a Finalist in the 2006 Capital News Australian Independent Rising Star Female award category,and is being flown to Mildura to attend the awards presentation concert at the Mildura Arts Centre Theatre on Saturday 30 September. She’ll also perform a few selected spots while there.

As if all that isn’t enough, Kirsty is now planning a debut CD album, new single and video clip!

Website: www.kirstyleeakers.com
Contact: Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone/fax 0267662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia

Kirsty is a long time fan of Adams, so it’ll be a huge buzz for her to open this concert for him for the first time, especially as a he’s a multiple gold and platinum record-selling artist. He’s certainly an artist to inspire a young performer.

Like Adam, Kirsty has started spending time in Nashville, Tennessee, recently returned from co-writing at Universal Music Publishing, and gathering songs for her debut CD album. She won this opportunity at Telstra Road To Tamworth Australia-wide competition in January this year at Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Kirsty will be performing some of these brand new songs at this concert, as well as her current hit record “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, and the favourites her growing number of fans expect to hear.
Fresh from her “live” performances in Nashville and surrounding areas, she’s “fired up” to put on a great show with session guitar whiz Duncan Toombs.
Kirsty is poised for a great future, and is now planning a debut CD album, new single and video clip!
Website: www.kirstyleeakers.com
Contact: Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone/fax 0267662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia

She’s back home! Kirsty & Nashville – loved it - loved her!
Its kinda cool to leave Australia on June 1 and arrive in Nashville, USA and its still June 1!

The Telstra Road to Tamworth (or is it Nashville!?) “Pub With No Beer” Brewery songwriting award gave Kirsty Lee Akers the opportunity to co-write at Universal Music Publishing, with successful songwriters such as Marcel (hits for Josh Gracin, Rascal Flatts, Leanne Rimes), Byron Hill (Joe Nichols current hit “Size Matters”, George Strait, Randy Travis, Gary Allan, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Reba McIntyre etc!) , Jeremy Spillman (Trace Adkins, Lee Anne Womack) & Christian Rada (new writer) and Tammi Kidd & John Kennedy (Leanne Rimes current hit). A huge success - 4 songs written with writers who have incredible track records, and due to the interest from her songwriting partners, there are now demos of these songs being considered for “pitching” to top USA recording artists. While recording the demo of their beautiful song “I’ll Try Not To Think Of You”, Kirsty couldn’t help being impressed by Byron Hill’s lounge room walls, covered with countless Gold and Platinum record awards for sales of 500,000 and 1,000,000 units on which his songs are featured.

Before her co-writing appointments with these top Universal Music hit song writers, Kirsty travelled the short distance from Nashville to Lynchburg for “live” performances on Paul & Marilyn Jones’ Old Time Country Radio Show on WLIJ (Shelbyville) at The BBQ Caboose Café. She was so well received by audiences there, and later that evening at The Flat Creek Community Centre town gathering, that a standing return invitation was issued. These experiences, along with a guided tour of Jack Daniels distillery (and tasting!), a visit to a working dairy farm & historic southern home, combined to give Kirsty a unique “snapshot” of country Tennessee life, so very different to, but close to busy Nashville, Music City USA.

On this mini-tour Kirsty was well supported by a Nashville local singer/songwriter Hank Sasaki, well-known in Australia as the Japanese Cowboy, who next day arranged for her to perform at the long established Nashville venue Long Hollow Jamboree, where she “wowed” ‘em! Country Music legend Charlie Louvin (Louvin Bros.) was in the audience that day, and promptly invited Kirsty backstage at The Grand Ole Opry the following weekend, when he was performing there. Consequently, after performing at Charlie’s Louvin Bros Museum, she attended this incredible institution (The Opry) and experienced its uniqueness from the front of house and backstage, thanks to her new friend/mentor Charlie Louvin.

Kirsty attended the Country Music Association media & industry events, sang her own songs at the famous Bluebird Café, and Legends Corner and Tootsies in Downtown Nashville as part of the CMA Music festival. She performed at The Caffiene Café on Music Row in Janine Le Clair’s Aussie Showcase, along with Melinda Schneider, Natalie Howard, Jake Nikolai, Nick Kingswell and Pru Clearwater, and played her Tomkins guitar at the Sheraton Downtown Tomkins Guitars Showcases over 4 days of the festival.

Kirsty kept in touch with her Aussie base by being interviewed by several Australian radio stations while in Nashville (including ABC’s Saturday Night Country with John Nutting, Barbara Morison, Sydney and ABC Newcastle), and worldwide with Julie Taylor from PALTALK in Nashville.

A Grand Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition Kirstys current international radio hit single, catchy original song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, is now being played in many places world-wide, via Kirstys CD single, WHP/TKO CD, LBS Country Collection volume 11 CD and NFS 104.

News flash! “Bashed Up, Beaten, battered, Broken Heart" is now in Country Music Radio Country Tracks TOP 30 chart.

More information: www.kirstyleeakers.com
Management: Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management, P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com

Telstra Road To Tamworth “Pub With No Beer Brewery” sponsored songwriting award at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2006 has made this Nashville trip possible for Kirsty and she’s now making the most it.

Kirsty will write with Tammi Kidd & John Kennedy, Jeremy Spillman & Christian Rada, Byron Hill, Bobby Terry and Marcel. More details on Kirsty’s co-writing partners: www.umpgnashville.com

A Grand Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition Kirstys current international radio hit single, her catchy original song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, is being played in several American states, via Kirstys CD single, WHP/TKO CD, LBS Country Collection volume 11 CD and NFS 104.

Kirsty Lee Akers is now being “embraced” as an artist in USA, and the sky is the limit!
More information: www.kirstyleeakers.com
Management: Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone/fax +61267662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia

Kirsty’s great opportunity – you couldn’t buy this!
This June in Nashville, Tennessee a new page starts in the musical career of the young Australian singer/songwriter Kirsty Lee Akers. That’s when she starts her 5 days of songwriting with top hit song writers in USA, at Universal Music Publishing headquarters.

At Tamworth Country Music Festival 2006 Kirsty won the amazing Telstra Road To Tamworth “Pub With No Beer” sponsored songwriting award, which has given her this incredible opportunity to experience what its like to co-write with writers who have collectively written songs for an impressive list of artists such as:

George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Gary Allan, Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Conway Twitty, Trace Adkins, Josh Gracin, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, Chris LeDoux, Ray Charles, Juice Newton, Conway Twitty, Mel McDaniel, Ricky Skaggs, Montgomery Gentry, Margo Smith, Lonestar, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray, Alabama, Asleep At The Wheel, Barbara Mandrell, Randy Travis, Tracy Byrd, Neal McCoy, George Jones, Sammy Kershaw, and the list goes on and on!
Kirsty will write with 2 writing teams – Tammi Kidd & John Kennedy, and Jeremy Spillman & Christian Rada - and individual writers Byron Hill, Bobby Terry and Marcel.

All have great songwriting skill and a diverse history of songwriting success, which is sure to stimulate Kirsty’s own imaginative style. More details on Kirsty’s co-writing partners are available at Universal Music Publishing website: www.umpgnashville.com

Recently Kirsty was a Grand Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition with her current international radio hit single of her catchy original song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”.

She was one of only 11 finalists in the Teen section, the judging having proceeded through 3 rounds, semi-finals, until only 200 of the 15,000 songs world-wide remained in the 18 categories finally judged. Finalists were truly international, from USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Israel, Tiawan, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Holland, Brazil, France & the Czech Republic.

Not only is she a wonderfully talented songwriter, but Kirsty is a dynamic “live” performer also, fast gaining many fans at her shows, interest being generated in her by international radio airplay and word of mouth. She’s taking all of this youthful enthusiasm and creative energy to Nashville to perform there every chance she gets.

Kirsty’s radio single “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart” is being played right now world-wide via LBS Country Collection volume 11 CD, NFS 104, and WHP/TKO April compilation CD.

2006 sure is a memorable year of opportunity and achievement for Kirsty Lee Akers! For more information visit her great website: www.kirstyleeakers.com
Management: Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone/fax +61267662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340 Australia

At the Grand Final of Telstra Road To Tamworth, Kirsty Lee Akers has been announced the winner of the inaugural TRTT Pub With No Beer Songwriter Encouragement Award.
A commendable achievement, as this competition took place Australia wide and over 35 heats.
Broadcast via live webcast, the judging included a panel of three Australian and three USA key music industry executives. Kirtsy was considered a standout winner.

Akers was thrilled with her win saying, “This is a dream come true and an opportunity of a lifetime to go to Nashville and write with such credible songwriters. I really want to thank Telstra, Allied Artists and The Pub With No Beer for making this happen.”

Her prize sees her travel to Nashville, with airfares, accommodation and living expenses also covered, to spend five days of song writing appointments with Universal Music Publishing Nashville’s top stable of songwriters.

“This artist is an exciting discovery and will take huge benefit from this opportunity” said Pat Higdon, Senior Vice President/General Manager of Universal Music Publishing, Nashville.

Pleased with the success of this event, Greg Swain of Telstra said, “We see the inclusion of this new prize as another fantastic opportunity to help develop new talent in Australian Country Music and are very appreciative of the relationship we have developed in Nashville with major players like Universal Music Publishing”

Congratulations to Kirsty, who is also currently enjoying success with her popular new radio single “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart” and to Telstra for their ongoing support of new Australian Country Music talent.
For more information, contact:
Harriett McCardell (Javelin Australia)
Ph: 02 9959 3010
E: hmccardell@javelinaustralia.com.au

It’s happened!
Kirsty Lee Akers is now a FINALIST in the International Songwriting Competition (based in USA) with her current single of catchy original song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, released to radio via LBS Country Collection CD volume 11.

The judging proceeded through 3 rounds, reached semi-final status, and now only 200 of the 15,000 songs world-wide remain in the 18 categories to be finally judged, with winners awarded in March.

With more than US$150,000 to be awarded between 50 winners, and judged by more than 35 impeccably qualified international judges, from a wide diversity of skills, knowledge and genres, this is the world songwriting competition to win!

The Overall winners prize is in excess of US$20,000, of which US$10,000 of that is cash, as well as quality musical & recording prizes, valuable career development and support material.

Finalists are from USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Israel, Tiawan, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, Holland, Brazil, France & the Czech Republic

Winners of each category collect US$3,000 in cash and prizes, and the Teen section winner receives a full scholarship to Boston’s Berklee College of Music’s 5 week Summer Performance Program, with tuition, full room and board. How exciting is that! There are 11 finalists in this category and Kirsty is one.

Right now voting is taking place in The People’s Voice award, to see which of the 200 finalists songs are the most popular, so if you’d like to support Kirsty to win this important category, please visit this site and vote for her song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”. We’d love that support!
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm

** In addition to this hot news, at Januarys Tamworth Country Music festival Kirsty won the highly contested Telstra Road To Tamworths “Pub With No Beer” Songwriters Award, which will allow her to travel to Nashville to co-write songs with some of USA’s top hit-makers.
This is further recognition of her talent as a songwriter and as an exciting “live” performer.

As well as many promotional spots over the 10 day event, Kirsty performed in the Opening and Closing concerts for the huge Tamworth Country Music Festival, to audiences in excess of 10,000.

Since the recent release of her very popular radio single , she is constantly being interviewed Australia-wide and beyond, promoting airplay of her single “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, and has a jam-packed 2006.

For more information & bookings:
contact Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone 02 67662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340
Website under construction (sound sample available) www.kirstyleeakers.com

2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth songwriter winner Kirsty Lee Akers off to Nashville
Kirsty Lee Akers from NSW Hunter Valley is off to Nashville and on the threshold of an exciting professional career after winning the Pub With No Beer Song Writer’s Award in the national Telstra Road to Tamworth country music talent competition in Tamworth on Tuesday night Jan. 24th.

Singing before a packed crowd of over 1200 and thousands of others around Australia and overseas who watched live online via webcast, Kirsty impressed the judges by singing 3 of her own original songs, competing with seven other grand-finalists who initially qualified for the final series after winning their hometown heat. Over 800 singers from across the nation entered the competition, then 35-heat winners made the journey to Tamworth to compete for some extraordinary prizes and take home the 2006 title.

Kirsty (from Stanford Merthyr near Kurri Kurri) will head to Nashville as part of the newly established songwriters recognition award. Judges recognised her song writing skills by awarding her with the inaugural package which includes writing appointments with top American country music songwriters.

Kirsty is delighted to have been chosen as the winner of the 2006 Telstra Road to Tamworth Competition Song Writer’s Award. “I just realised I’m goin’ to Nashville!” was Kirsty’s onstage reaction to this great news.

Telstra Country Wide Group Managing Director, Geoff Booth, said Kirsty performed terrifically tonight & made a worthy winner. “With such depth of talent on display, the future of country music in Australia is looking bright. This is the beginning of a prosperous career for all the heat winners in the competition,” he said.

Allied Artists Chief Executive Officer and Telstra Road to Tamworth judge Marius Els said Kirsty’s performance was outstanding and her life will be changed forever. Kirsty is a very talented artist with all the qualities of a future star. Telstra Road to Tamworth is a real launch pad for young country music singers.,”

Three American-based record company executives joined local industry officials to judge the Telstra Road To Tamworth country music talent competition Grand Final.
· Pat Higdon, Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville Senior Vice President/General Manager
· Mark Brown, Senior Director, A&R Sony Music Nashville
· Mark Moffatt, Australian raised, Nashville-based independent record producer.

The Pub with No Beer Songwriter’s Encouragement Award winner receives a return airfare to Nashville, seven nights accommodation, a daily allowance and five days of song writing appointments with top American country music songwriters.

Telstra Country Wide support the Telstra Road to Tamworth Competition as a means of helping some impressive Australians live out their hopes and dreams of establishing a professional career in country music.

Through this initiative, Telstra Country Wide is helping support the future of the country music industry in Australia.
Media Contacts
Harriett McCardell 0421 446 910 or Alix Varley 0413 838 404
Photographs of the winner and other finalists are available.
Management contacts:
Tamworth Artists Management - Greg Williams
02 67662616. mobile 0408255908. email: gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
TAMWORTH ARTISTS MANAGEMENT:
GREG WILLIAMS P O BOX 1681 Tamworth NSW 2340
Ph: +61 2 67662616 Fax: +61 2 67662616 Mob: 0408 255 908

Kirsty Lee Akers has achieved more phenomenal success, with the current recording of her catchy original song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”, released to radio via LBS Country Collection CD volume 11.

Its just been announced that her song has now qualified for the second round of judging in the current International Songwriting Competition, based in USA.

A spokesman for this prestigious international competition told Kirsty “We received almost 15,000 entries this year and want to congratulate you on this achievement.” There is still some anxious waiting for her, as finalists wont be announced till the end of January 2006, and overall winners will be announced a little later, in March.

With more than US$150,000 available for distribution between 50 winners, and judged by more than 35 impeccably qualified international judges, from a wide diversity of skills, knowledge and genres, this is the world songwriting competition to win!

The Overall winners prize is in excess of US$20,000.
$10,000 of that is cash, as well as quality musical & recording prizes, career development and support material.

Winners of each category collect US$3,000 in cash and prizes, and the Teen section (Kirsty is eligible!) winner receives a full scholarship to Boston’s Berklee College of Music’s 5 week Summer Performance Program, with tuition, full room and board. How exciting is that!

Its been a fulfilling couple of years for Kirsty since graduating from the youth Country Music school Tamworth Camerata 2004/5, via a scholarship provided by Tamworth’s Axiom Entertainment Agency, and a big win in the Jazzer Talent Quest at The Pub.

More recently she’s busy with Tamworth Country Music Festival activities, including the Finals of the wonderful Australia-wide Telstra Road To Tamworth competition.

Kirsty performs in the Opening and Closing concerts for this huge Country Music Festival, as well as appearing in a wide range of Tamworth venues promoting her CD single, which is available to festival attendees.

Since the release of her very popular radio single, she’s been interviewed intensively Australia-wide and beyond, promoting airplay of her single, and preparing for a jam-packed 2006.
For more information & bookings:
contact Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone 02 67662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340
Website under construction (sound sample available) www.kirstyleeakers.com

Kirsty wins Telstra’s ‘gong!
With all the great “press” Telstra are deservedly enjoying from their incredible Telstra Road To Tamworth competition, this latest success of Country singer/songwriter Kirsty Lee Akers adds such credibility. The recent Wollongong heat, one of 35 Australia-wide, resulted in a win for Kirsty, a habit she’s become used to over the many years she’s competed in a wide variety of talent quests.

The Telstra Road To Tamworth (TRTT), now in its third consecutive year, is a unique competition, as it brings (at Telstra’s expense) the best 35 Country performers from all around Australia to Tamworth at Januarys Country Music Festival. They compete for the ultimate prize, which includes a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, USA to record a single, and a huge list of other benefits also listed on the website - www.telstra.com/countrywide/countrymusic/roadtotamworth .
Kirsty now has her sights set firmly on winning 2006 Grand Final, and furthering her already successful career.

Kirsty won Wollongong TRTT with an original song, which is also her eagerly-awaited record release “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart” currently enjoying wide spread radio airplay all over Australia & New Zealand and overseas, via LBS Country Collection CD volume 11. As a Camerata graduate 2004/5, this recording reflects this association, with players of the calibre of Stu French (guitar), Michel Rose (pedal steel & mandolin), Doug Gallacher (drums), Ian Lees (bass), and fiddle from Hugh Curtis. Fellow Camerata graduates Cameron Clayton (2002)and KT Brianna (2004) sang harmonies.

Blessed with an instantly recognisable voice, Kirsty is a multi-award winner over more than a decade, even though still a teenager, and has a success list just too numerous to mention here. She mesmerises audiences, performing her own songs and carefully selected “covers”.

Haven broken new ground with this recording at Lindsay Butler Studios in Tamworth, she’s now planning with her producer/manager Greg Williams, to follow up with a full CD album with more great songs, and is currently writing and co-writing new works. Her single will be available for sale in the near future.

For more information on Kirsty Lee Akers, contact Greg Williams @ Tamworth Artists Management–
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone 02 67662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340
www.kirstyleeakers.com

Kirsty Lee Akers first single release
The eagerly-awaited record release of her great song “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart” has now arrived! And, it sounds great!
After attending Tamworth Camerata in 2004 & 2005, winning Axiom Entertainment scholarships, then winning her section of the Jim Beam Jazzer Talent Quest 2005 at The Pub, she decided the time was right to record this true Country foot-tapper song of hers. This is sure to satisfy her many fans and supporters eagerly awaiting a recording from Kirsty.

Immediately following Camerata 2005, the expert backing on the single was recorded by the wonderful Feral Swing Katz players – Stu French (guitar), Michel Rose (pedal steel & mandolin), Doug Gallacher (drums) & Ian Lees (bass), and over-dubbed with some lovely fiddle from Hugh Curtis. Camerata graduates Cameron Clayton and KT Brianna sang harmonies.

Blessed with an instantly recognisable voice, Kirsty is a multi-award winner over many years, even though she is still a teenager, and has a success list just too numerous to mention here.

Kirsty is breaking new ground with this recording of her original song, co-produced by Greg Williams and Lindsay Butler, a special collaboration between these two professionals at LBS, Tamworth. She’s very excited about this record release, and is planning with her producer Greg Williams, to follow up with a full CD album and more great songs.
For more information, contact Greg Williams –
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone 02 67662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340
History in the making

Monday July 11 saw a new phase start in the illustrious history of LBS recording studios, Tamworth.
Young talented Country performers Cameron Clayton from New Zealand and Kirsty Lee Akers from Stanford Merthyr, NSW recorded their first single releases for radio, on the next LBS Country Collection CD.

Both are Tamworth Camerata graduates - Cameron the inaugural 2002 course, and Kirsty in 2004 and 2005, winning scholarships each time from Tamworths Axiom Entertainment Agency.

Both were winners of the Jim Beam Jazzer Talent Quest 2005 at The Pub, Cameron the Open section winning the LBS sponsored recording and release, Kirsty the Junior, funding her own recording.

On the previous Friday, the wonderful Feral Swing Katz – Stu French, Michel Rose, Doug Gallacher & Ian Lees recorded the expert backings for both songs, straight after their Camerata 2005 role backing all students.

Camerons song “A Little Bit Of Country In Us All’ – a catchy easily identifiably Australian Country Swing tune, was written by Allan Caswell, Al Craig & Drew McAlister.
Kirsty recorded her own composition, a song many others have wanted to record as it’s a beautie, “Bashed Up, Beaten, Battered, Broken Heart”. This is a true Country foot-tapper, and has listeners singing along.

Both singers are multi-award winners over an extended period, Camerons major NZ award being the hotly contested Gore Gold Guitar award 2004, and Kirsty’s just too numerous to mention here.

They’re very excited about the imminent release to radio of their first singles, and anticipate with co-Producer of the songs Greg Williams, to following up with full CD albums and more great songs.
For more information, contact Greg Williams –
email gregrwilliams@bigpond.com
Phone 02 67662616, mobile 0408255908
P O Box 1681, Tamworth NSW 2340

Hey Helen...
I haven't written to you in a while I've been really busy.. I'm nearly finished year 12, I cant wait... just thought I'd write to you to let you know what I've been up to and what I'm about to be getting up to! I made it to the top 10 of the APRA teen songwritter of the year so that was cool! I'm also in the grand final of the MATS MO awards which is exciting- $10 000 prize money so fingers crossed! my most exciting news though is that I'm doing the support act for John Williamson on the 11th may at Ettalong and on Fathers Day at Dee Why, I got to play on the Roll of Renoun concert at Tamworth this year but I didn't get to speak to him so I'm really excited about doin this show with him! June is going to be a really busy month for me!I'm heading off with Alby Pool to South Australia for the country music festival- its my first time on the road without my folks without my parents so I'm abit nervous but Alby has promised to look after me hehe... when I get back from SA I'm in the school show "Star Struck" which I'm really excited about because I'm actually singing one of my original songs I wrote for the show.. well that's all I can think of at the moment so until I can think of anything else I'll talk to you soon.. hope ur doing well...
luv ya
kirsty
xxx
p.s the site is looking great, love your work!

Kirsty Lee Akers Wins “Frank Ifield Mats
Patron Award”
Last night 10th March was the annual “International Frank Ifield Spur Awards Night” Kirsty was asked by Frank Ifield himself to come and perform on the show as a special guest, a big surprise it was for the tiny brunette when she was announced the “MATS PATRON award winner” This is the first year this award has been handed out, it is handed out to the person who frank believes is the most deserving talent he has seen all year. Frank Ifield heard Kirsty perform at the Galston country music festival last year where she performed her original song “Bashed up, Beaten, Battered Broken Heart” and has been following her career ever since “A wonderful young lady who is an excellent performer and a fantastic songwriter, this girl is someone to look out for in the years to come”
With her mature attitude and approach to her music anyone who doesn't know Kirsty would think she is much older, at the tender age of 16 Kirsty has achieved amazing success, not only did she place in the top 70 of the television series Australian idol in 2004, she also went on to take out the “Jim Beam Jazzer Smith overall junior winner” this year at the Tamworth country music festival which included a scholarship to CAMERATA– a week long school for junior performers to craft their skills with tutors that include the likes of Beccy Cole!
“The Frank Ifield Mats Patron Award is such an amazing achievement for someone so young… Kirsty lee is definitely a risng star in the country music industry who is going to be someone to watch out for in years to come.
###
Kirsty Lee has been asked to perform at the “BIG GIG” April 3rd– a showcase of 30 young songwriters performing their original material at Dee Why Leagues Club, certainly a show not to miss.

Donna, Luke, Frank, Kirsty and Wayne

Hi Helen...
I know I've been really slack and haven't wrote to you but I've been really busy since I got back from Tamworth so better late than never I guess...
well what a Tamworth it was this year.. it wasn't the same with the festival dates changing and not as many people being there but the entertainment was the best I've seen so far...I tried to see as many shows as I could this year between gigs I only went to town a couple of times.. One of the shows that I saw this year was the Stuey French's Pickers Nite... it was amazing it was the first time I've seen it I can't believe I only just came across it this year... another show I saw was mr Jedd Hughes.. oh my god... brilliant is just one of the words I can use to describe him.. a few of my friends from school came up this year and they are far from being country bumpins, after they saw what country music was all about and that we don't just walk around with flannelette shirts and thongs on they love it, they can't wait to go back! while I was at the festival I had the pleasure of performing at the Town Hall Roll of Renown Concert, that was a great experience as it was my first time at playing at the Town Hall, not only that I got to play with some great artists. I also played at the Camerata Concert.. It was great to catch up with all my old pals from last year and I also got to chat to some of the past Cameratians, it was a great nite not a seat was left in the house..I get to do it all over again this year.. I won the junior Jazzer Smith Talent Quest at ThePub which not only included an Ashton guitar and case and $800.00 prize money but also a scholarship to Camerata this year sponsored by Axiom Entertainment which just happened to be my sponsors last year so I can't wait! now that Tamworth's over and school has started ha ha I'm just starting to get back into my old sleeping patterns... when I got back from Tamworth I had the pleasure of performing at the Australia Day Concert in one of the towns near my home town Maitland also that day was the Horseshoe Bend Roundup Concert for the tsunami appeal, it was great to see all the people that turned up and donated money.. After that I went in a competition called the "mo awards" which includes a $10 000 development grant in the prize package.. I've got into the finals of that competition and have to sing again on the 20th February..Ii also won the songwriters section of the competition which means I now get to perform down at the "big gig" in Dee Why on the 3rd April along with 29 other young songwriters in front of a lot of a & r people and compete for a 12 recording package. last Saturday I sang in my home town to mark 100 years of the fire service in Kurri Kurri.. that nite I also had a gig with Travis Collins and Rob Wilson which was a great nite and al ot of fun! hmmm what else have I been up to? oh yeh.. I had a radio interview in Sydney on Wednesday with 2GB it is going to be broadcasted 7pm Saturday nite.. I've also been asked by Frank Ifield to perform at his International Spur Awards nite at Canterbury on 10th March so I can't wait... well that's all I can think of at the moment so that's it from me... talk to u soon...
luv ya
Kirsty

Hey Helen...
Wow the last week or so has been an experience I will never forget... I'm so happy I decided to try out for Camerata, it was all worth while, seems you couldn't make it I so thought I'd let you in on what we got up to...
Day 1- We were put in our groups, there were three groups, Tex, Buddy and Slim, of course I was in the best group ha ha.. our group leader was Brett Dallas, I think I speak for all the people in our group when I say we could not have asked for a better leader, he was great, after that everybody had breakfast and got ready for our radio interviews with 2YOU FM, they were heaps of fun, then we all headed for lunch, mmm yum the food was so good ha ha... after lunch came the really fun bit, we all got our "makeovers" at plush hair designs and got ready for out "photo shoot" yep that's right, when your a star you've got to do these things ha ha.. we all then got ready for the "meet and greet" concert with our sponsors.. my sponsor was Donna Marks from Axiom Entertainment, she really looked after me, she was great, we even ended up staying.
Day 2- The day started with warm ups with Roger Corbett, which always gave everyone a laugh... then songwritting with Roger Aswell.. after that we had our star spot with Felicity Urqhart, Flic is just such a wonderful person to be around and it was great to hear of her experiences... that afternoon, I did some songwritting with Tamara Stewart, which was an experience of a lifetime in itself, she was great, so down to earth, we ended up writting a catchy little song called "I'd love to hate you"- I'll let you hear it next time your at Hexham... that night we had our star spot with Beccy Cole, that was great, her little son Ricky is so adorable... after that everybody had their master classes, mine was guitar and who better than to teach me then one of the best guitarists in Australia- Brett Dallas...
Day3- We had the star spot with Beccy- so I guess you could say we were double lucky.. then it was time for our group sessions, everyone worked on what they were going to perform at the sponsors concert.. after lunch I got to experience something I think I will never forget, I got to sing with Beccy, Felicity and Ben Hazell at the Tamworth Base Hospital, it was great to put a smile back on the patients faces... that night I had my performance master class with Felicity and MC skills with Kevin Anderson... I think this was one of the classes I enjoyed the most, probably because felicity was the tutor, and she is one chickadee that I look up to so much ha ha..
Day 4- We had a star spot with Travis Collins, I've known Travis most of my life and it was great to actually hear of his experiences, and what he had to do to get where he is today... I also had a session with the wonderful Glen Hannah on writing chord charts properly, it was great to work with such a wonderful person and guitarists... after lunch, I had another great experience once again ha ha.. I did two radio interviews with Felicity and Ben Hazell, they were so much fun... that night I had my vocal master class with Donella Plane, she is a funny girl and so comfortable to work with...
Day 5- This day was mainly full of rehearsals with the band Glen Hannah, Trev Warner, Doug Gallagher, Ian Lees and Michel Rose, that's right we had the best in Australia working with us...I was lucky I didn't have any other classes that night so I watch the state of origin.. if you have ever watched the game with Michel Rose you'll know that it something you wont forget too soon, I don't think I had any eardrums left by the time it finished, he is a true NSW supporter, that's for sure ha ha...
Day 6- The last day, iIwas sad it was ending but looking forward to the concert... the day was full of rehearsals with the band and getting everything down pack for the show... the concert that nite was just amazing, everybody performed beautifully it was great...

Last night was the Horseshoebend Roundup 3rd birthday, it was a great turnout, it was a great night, Todd Williams and Carter and Carter were some of the artists that performed there so it was a good show...
hope to see you soon Helen
luv ya
Kirsty
xxx

The next morning when everyone was up we got on the bus to head over to the
auditions at the Sydney University. The contestants went in groups of 10 and
stood along the stage and sang one at a time while the judges told you what
they thought of you. I was in the very first group to audition along with
Sam McClymont. We both made it through that round so that put us in the top
70... I sang the Dolly Parton song "Do I ever cross your mind" Dicko said
when I sang I did country music proud, so I was pretty happy with that.
There were some other country singers in the top 118 as well that you might
know- Sarah Collett and Kieran Lancini. That night when we got home we had
to go straight to a workshop and be told what was instore for us 4 the next
day... we had to get in groups of 3 and learn a song that they gave us to
sing for the next day, my groups song was called "Don't cry out loud". I had
never heard of it so I was a bit worried whether or not I would be ok with it..

I've been really busy these last couple of days, everyone down
here is just starting to find out about the whole aussie idol thing... I have
attached 2 newspaper clippings that were in the newspaper this week about
Aussie Idol for ya to have a geezer at.   On Sunday I had a gig at Toukley
with Sweeny & Killeen, that was heaps of fun, they are great girls, the
Newcastle Herald came down to the gig and did a story on me while I was
there, then after everyone saw that in the paper I had heaps of people
ringing me asking about it... on Tuesday I had a radio interview with KO
FM'S David and Tanya at 7:20 in the morning I was still half asleep ha ha.   I
had to judge the hunter valley idol, it was a crack up, I just gave
everybody a prize. Then straight after that I had another interview
with NX FM at about 8:30am that was heaps of fun... When I arrived home the
Maitland Mercury rang up and asked if they could do a story and that was
in yesterdays paper, so I've been a busy girl.... I've have a gig comin up on
19th June with Rob Wilson at Malibah so that should be good.   Well I'm about
to head off to one of Robs gigs now, Michael King is the guest artist so it
will be a good nite, I'll keep ya updated on Aussie Idol as it gets closer (3 weeks to go)
take care
luv Kirsty