Last year ACR introduced you to Amanda Christine, an aspiring country artist from Garden Prairie, Illinois who graduated with a degree in Song-Writing from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Now that the year has passed I decided to catch up with Amanda during CMA Festival 2012, and again last week, to find out where this year has taken her.
Amanda’s career has flourished in many ways over the past number of months. Amanda was thrilled to close out the “Tennessee State Fair” in September. Amanda said “I was very honoured to have been chosen among 1000’s of artists to play at, and close out, the Tennessee State Fair”. Amanda told me that this was an experience that will always remain near and dear to her heart because it brought her back to the days when she would show her prize dairy goats at various county fairs.
While watching Amanda in a song-writers circle at The Listening Room during CMA Fest 2012, we quickly concluded Amanda has the talent, drive and determination to make it in Nashville. “Country Heart” is a ballad that paints a warm scenic picture of who she is and how she grew up in rural Illinois. Amanda said “I get a lot of enjoyment out of song-writing. I have been spending many hours co-writing with several of the top singers and song-writers on Music Row”.
When asked what Amanda likes to do to relax in her spare time, Amanda said “ I believe in giving back by supporting charities and participating in benefits such as, 30 Days of Hope” (a childhood cancer awareness benefit) which was recently held at the Red Rooster in Nashville. One minute Amanda was performing on a stage opening for a number of artists including Lo Cash Cowboys; the next she was at a table interacting with children.
Next on her agenda is recording her thoughts and words on her first EP at the most impressive Ocean Way Studios, at 17th and Edgehill, in the heart of Music Row. Amanda said, “I am beyond excited to finally get into Ocean Way Studios this month. I have assembled a group of talented artists to record instruments and backup vocals”. She also mentioned that she has been fully focusing all efforts into song-writing and preparing to record so she has signed up on a site so friends and fans can assist.
Amanda is “One to Watch” in Nashville!
If you would like to tag along on Amanda’s journey, watch her grow or make a donation, check out her Kickstarter page and Amanda Christine Music
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1207260096/amanda-christine-studio-project?ref=live
Amanda Christine Music on Facebook.