Kellie

As today is the last day of the year and decade, I thought I would share the songs that have built me over the past decade from Country Music and other genres especially musicals. Back in March 2010, Miranda Lambert released one of my favourite songs that she has ever released and one that inspires me every day. The House That Built Me is one song that I instantly can hear on the radio and brings back a lot of memories of my childhood along with the lyrics. You can listen to The House That Built Me here . 2013 was the year, I first discovered The Shires and it's been wonderful to see their growth within the UK Country Music scene up until today. Brave was a song for me that has bought me a lot of strength and one that I still play whenever I am struggling. You can listen to Brave here . Laura Oakes is a Liverpool born, Country Singer/ Song-writer who I first discovered back in 2015 and I saw her live in the December at an intimate show in Milton Keynes and my god w

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone reading this and I hope you all have had an amazing day surrounded by your family and friends. A couple of weeks ago, Letitia Dean admitted  in an interview that the Christmas Day episode has a lot of twists and turns that even she didn't see coming which for me makes me really excited which makes me really excited. Everyone knows how dramatic an EastEnders Christmas Day Episode is for all us viewers but this year's in particular is set to be more emotional and heart-wrenching than ever but  only time will tell as we all sit down and watch the episode. I n tonight's episode, viewers Phil Mitchell reveal to his wife, Sharon that he knows the truth about her affair with his daughter Louise's fiancé, Keanu Taylor who is also the father to her unborn baby. Tonight's episode was written by Pete Lawson and directed by Toby Frow. In the first scene of tonight's Christmas Day episode, viewers saw the camera pan over Albert

It's FINALLY Christmas week and the tensions in Walford are running high and reaching a fever pitch with all the Sharon Mitchell/ Keanu Taylor drama as Phil Mitchell nears closer to the truth this week. Tonight's episode saw Louise Mitchell start to realise that maybe her fiancé was cheating on her after a chat with her brother and father in the cafe. As Phil then started questioning Lisa Fowler. Tonight's episode was written by Lauren Klee and directed by Toby Frow. For me Christmas week, couldn't have started in a better way especially knowing that Lauren Klee is kicking off the dramatic week with one of her wonderful scripts. In the first scene of the episode featuring any of the Mitchells was in the cafe where Louise Mitchell was sat at a table with her father, Phil and brother, Ben where Louise were seen to be telling her family that she has no time for this with her daughter coming home from the hospital tomorrow but that doesn't stop them asking

This week's interview comes from Bristol based singer-songwriter,  Danny McMahon  who has had a fabulous 2019 with releasing brand new music, getting signed, performing on many wonderful shows throughout the year and going to many amazing countries to perform. Good Evening, Danny. Thank you for agreeing to this interview with me about your 2019 and what a wonderful year it has been for you! So, lets get straight into the questions, Danny. You started 2019 off by releasing your only EP of the year, Boys Cry Too back in April, could you please tell me a little back your experience of that releasing this EP and what the reaction was like? It was the most honest group of songs I’ve put out to date, so I’ll be honest I was genuinely sacred about how people would react. I genuinely wore my heart on my sleeve and I just had to hope that people were gonna understand me as a person and I’m turn relate to the songs via their own subjective experiences. This EP for me was so special

This week's interview comes from British singer-songwriter,  Emily Faye  who has had a fabulous 2019 with releasing brand new music, and performing on her Write Like A Girl shows. Good Morning, Emily. Thank you for agreeing to this interview with me about your 2019 and what a wonderful year it's been for you! So, lets get straight into the questions, Emily. You started 2019 off by releasing your first single of the year, Sucks To Be You back in April, could you please tell me a little back your experience of releasing the single and what was the reaction like? It was great fun releasing Sucks To Be You as the first single. I wanted to share my new music and developing sound with a bit of an impact and felt ‘Sucks to be you’ was a great way to do that. Then a few weeks later, you released your next single, A Little Bit Of You  which was a duet with your good friend, Jake Morrell, what was they experience like? Jake Morrell is a great guy and a great friend of mine. He

Last night saw Ex-EastEnders actress, Jacqueline Jossa crowned The QUEEN of the Jungle on ITV Show, I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here... I have supported Jacqueline since her journey began on EastEnders back in 2010 and I am so glad the I'm A Celeb audience got to see the incredibly caring and wonderful human that is Jacqueline. The following that Jacqueline has gained whilst doing I'm A Celeb has been wonderful to see especially when you know that everything the audience have seen is exactly what Jacqueline is like. All of the trials Jacqueline had to do showed the audience what a brave woman she is. I loved the fact that Jacqueline wasn't afraid to fangirl over being in the jungle with Caitlyn Jenner knowing how much of a Kardashian fan she is. Caitlyn and Jacqueline's friendship was beautiful to watch because they genuinely seemed to care about each other. I remember the first episode of this year and being worried that Jacqueline was going to sa

With the announcement on Tuesday (3rd December) that EastEnders actress, Tilly Keeper is leaving her role as Louise Mitchell. I am very sad by this news but I have decided to bring you my favourite TOP 10 scenes.  EastEnders viewers have seen Louise Mitchell go through so many struggles over the time, Tilly has played the character. 1. I'm Your Dad! I really struggled to chose a favourite scene with this scene from Tilly as Louise because this scene and the second one. However, back in January 2016 when EastEnders viewers first got to meet Tilly as Louise was when she was in the school hall moving the gym mats around when Phil walked in, in a drunken state where Louise was shocked to hear someone calling her name and when she turned around it was in fact her father, it was the facial expression from Tilly that got me. This scene for me was full of a lot of emotion and hate between the characters because you could really see that the characters loved each other but at the sa

In last night's EastEnders episode, viewers saw Louise Mitchell go into labour all alone as she went to look for her mum, Lisa Fowler who Louise believes is having a mental breakdown who discovered from Jack Branning that she had actually checked her in. Back in April, EastEnders viewers discovered that Louise Mitchell was pregnant with then on/ off boyfriend, Keanu Taylor who lets be honest hasn't been entirely with his now fiancée, has he? Because Louise's step-mum Sharon Mitchell is also expecting Keanu's baby - which isn't known to any of the Mitchells however, over recent weeks viewers saw Lisa Fowler blurt out to Phil Mitchell that he isn't the father of Sharon's baby despite her telling him it was his thanks to something deceased Mel Owen said. Tonight's episode was written by Jonny O'Neill and directed by Laurence Wilson . In the first scene of the episode, viewers saw parents-to-be, Louise Mitchell and Keanu Taylor about to have the big

It's that time of year where I bring you the first interview of my 2019 interviews of the years. Today's  comes from US singer-songwriting duo, Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels was were both born in California and are one duo I have loved discovering this year! Morning, Shannon and Ryan. Hope you're both well.  Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview with me, it's wonderful to be featuring you! Firstly, I would like you to introduce yourselves to our readers?​ Hello! We are Shannon Haley and Ryan Michaels and together we are Haley & Michaels. We're a married country music duo based in Nashville, TN. We grew up 3 miles apart from each other on the other side of the country but never met until we were in Music City. It's great to be with you all. Thank you for having us! How old were you were you decided to start writing your own songs? And when did you write and perform your first song?​​ Shannon: I was eight years old in third grade

Next Friday (6th December) will see British singer-songwriter,  Bailey Tomkinson release her next single, I Wish (It Didn't End Like This). I Wish (It Didn't End Like This) starts with a beautiful piano instrumental which sets the song up wonderfully which also happens to the sort the tone in Bailey's voice. The first verse of I Wish (It Didn't End Like This) features a softer vocal from Bailey which I absoultely adore. The lyrics of this verse are just beautiful and one a lot of people will be able to relate too as they will with a lot of this song making is so special. The chorus is a little more upbeat (and something I love about Bailey's music) adding a different kind of vibe to the song which is just incredible and works beautifully. The lyrics within this verse are so honest and raw that I love it so much and demonstrates to everyone what an incredible artist she is! Bailey's vocal range is completely different also. The second verse of I Wish (It

This Friday (29th November) will see British singer-songwriter,  Jade Helliwell is set to release her brand new single and the last for 2019, Stay. Stay starts with a beautifully slow piano instrumental which gives the song such a wonderfully warm feeling which I absoultely loved and started the song off in the best way. The first verse of Stay is one that happens to set the song off perfectly allowing Jade's softer vocal range shine through. There is something about Jade's voice that is so vulnerable leading to me believing in every single word Jade is singing. The chorus of Stay is once again a part of the song where I caught myself believing in every single word Jade is singing and the story-telling behind the lyrics are just stunning. I love the fact that the chorus is so catchy and manages to work well from every single verse. The second verse of Stay in the part of the song where the tempo changes and for the better allowing Jade to showcase all of her vocal range

Today (Friday 22nd November) will see Liverpool based singer-songwriter, Laura Oakes release her brand new single, Welcome To The Family. Welcome To The Family starts with a funky and upbeat guitar instrumental which sets the song up perfectly. The first verse of Welcome To The Family shows off Laura's amazing crisp vocal sound which I absolutely love and with parts of the lyrics being ones a lot of people will be able to relate too. The songwriting from Laura is just wonderful, having been given it's moment to shine. The chorus is my favourite part of the song and the most catchiest making me want to get up and dance - this is something about Laura's song-writing that I love the most if I am honest! I remember hearing this song live back in May and the audience being so in love with the song and captivated by the whole message in the song, I can't help but feel that emotion once again. The second verse of Welcome To The Family continues the storytelling within t

Today (Friday 22nd November) will see British country duo, The Shires made up of singer-songwriters, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes release their brand new single, New Year. The Shires were formed in 2013. New Year was written by Ben and singer-songwriter, Kaity Rae. New Year is the first single of their brand new album due to be released in 2020. New Year starts with a wonderfully upbeat guitar instrumental which is perfect for the start of this song before Crissie's vocal come in on the first verse. The first verse of New Year starts the song off with her beautiful crisp tone showing everyone her soulful side and allowing the lyrics to shine through. The first verse gets you thinking about New Year and who we welcome the New Year in with and that one special person who we hope is there. The chorus is the most moving part of New Year for many listeners however, it is also the happiest thanks to Ben and Kaity Rae's song-writing on this beautiful song. The way that Crissie an

Following Emily Hackett 's visit to the UK for London's Country Music Week in which Emily performed twice at once supporting Tenille Townes on her debut headline show and then again on the Sunday as part of the Bluebird Cafe session at Bush Hall. Good Afternoon, Emily. Hope you're well! Thank you for agreeing to this interview with me. I have to start by saying a massive congratulations to you on performing during London's Country Music Week last week, how was it? It was wonderful. Such a great audience and experience getting to connect with everyone through my stories and songs. I loved meeting everyone afterwards as well. Your first performance of the week was as one of Tenille Townes' support, how was that gig? Such great energy in that room! Everyone was so excited for Tenille and her first headlining show, it was just an honor to be a part of it. I think we compliment each other well musically, so I was thrilled to be able to play for her lo

Today (Friday 8th November) will see US singer-songwriter, Raelynn release her brand new single, Bra Off which I have to admit is one song I am very excited about her releasing as I love this song. Photo by Me from C2C London 2019 Bra Off starts with a quirky but sassy sounding instrumental which I love from the very first moment I hear the song. The first verse is one of pure sass and about that relationship that most of us have been in when you don't really feel like you want to be with them 100%. I have so admiration for Raelynn in the way that she is able to write songs like this and instantly connect with her audience. The chorus is my favourite part of the song and one that I caught myself singing to despite not knowing the lyrics still despite having heard it live a few times. The instrumental is a little slower than the first verse which adds a lot of dynamic to the song which I just adore. The second verse continues the moral of the story in the most beautiful

Today (Friday 8th November) will see US singer-songwriter, Kelsea Ballerini release her brand new single, Club from her up and coming new album due out soon, I hope! Club starts with a beautiful instrumental which goes into the first verse magical with it's modern country vibes. The first verse starts with some of the most beautiful lyrics and the first line instantly had me hooked into the song. I caught myself wanting to sing along right from the start reminding me of a Taylor Swift song from years ago when she was country. The chorus is super catchy and fun which I absoultely adore. The lyrics are so magical and that's all thanks to Kelsea's softer and soulful tone which for me gets better and better with every single song in which she releases. During the chorus, I caught myself wanting to dance this is the perfect dance anthem. The second verse continues the song wonderfully and Kelsea's vocal tone is still one that is soft allowing Kelsea's song-writing

Rising country trio,  Temecula Road  made their  Grand Ole Opry  debut on  Friday 1st November  at the first weekend of the show’s annual winter run of  Opry At The Ryman  in downtown Nashville. Photo Credit: Chris Hollo/ Grand Ole Opry Sisters Maddie and Emma Salute alongside their friend, Dawson Anderson were introduced by Connie Smith who brought their unforgettable harmonies to the iconic stage. Performing their latest single, Maybe Not and a stripped-down acoustic version of the Eagles classic, Desperado, their debut brought a packed house of family, friends, and fans to their feet for a standing ovation. “Tonight has been a dream come true,” says Emma. “We feel so very blessed,” says Maddie. “I am speechless, and that doesn’t happen very often. What an amazing night,” adds Dawson. Emma, Maddie, and Dawson took the Ryman stage fresh off of an overseas tour stint with Scotty McCreery including sold out shows in Berlin, Cologne, London, and Manchester. Temecula Road&#

On Saturday 26th October, I had the opportunity to see California-bred, Tennessee-based country music trio,  Temecula Road  (it feels so good to be writing about them again!) perform at Bush Hall as part of London's Country Music Week's Daytime Hub sessions and as they supported Scotty McCreery in the evening too! Temecula Road are made up of sisters Emma and Maddie Salute and their good friend, Dawson Anderson. Photo by Me Temecula Road started their set with I Wish I Could Take That Back  was the perfect song for this young band to open their session with because it showed everyone their incredible talented and how much they have grown over the past few years. Their vocals and direction of the song were beyond magical and I caught myself having tears in my eyes thanks to the incredible lyrics. I Wish I Could Take That Back is definitely a song of growth for me, I caught myself feeling so proud of them and their journey over the past 2 years - they have definitely