Kelly Hope

Albury songstress Kelly Hope travelled a long road to record her debut self-titled CD-all the way to Nashville and the stylish excellence of producer Bill Warner (Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Jewel and Natalie Imbruelia). Since her finals berth in Toyota Star maker 2004, Kelly has been writing for this album and the result is one to be proud of, Debut single "Heartbreak Road" is a strong acclamation of an indepedent young woman. "You're not My Ute" is a cute song revealing that chicks are just as keen on their utes as guys. "Timeless You" and "Say you love me" are deliciously romantic and beautiful tracks. The only non-Kelly song on the album was written by Nashville songwriting great Jim Owens, who gave her "You make me wanna Cheat", a bluesy country rocker. Naturally with the pick of Nashville musos, the production is flawless and very, very smooth. Well done Kelly! - Capital News

Emerging Border country singer Kelly Hope loves her ute so much she has writter a song about it. Now the 22year old is about to share that love with fans across the country thanks to her brand new video clip that was filmed yesterday at Thurgoona's rustic Kinross Woolshed Hotel.
Surrounded by an ardent band of stetson-wearing supporters and some of the border's finest and shiniest examples of utility perfection, hope spent the afternoon performing numerous renditions of her tongue-in-cheek song "You're not my Ute" for the camera. Centre stage was Hope's glistening Ford BA Ute, her pride and joy. "It's a bit liary, i think, a bit different-white and bright with massive pink splashes and graphics up the side of it, "she said. "I was trying to explain in the song that not any good looking guy can win me over because they're just not as good as my ute." Recorded in Nashville with legendary music producer Bill Warner, "You're not my Ute" is due for national release in August with screenings planned on pay TV's Country Music Channel. Hope's new clip was shot by top Australian music video producer Ross Wood who also filmed Melbourne pop-country-folk foursome Jetty Road's latest video at Kinross last month. In a busy couple of days for the singer. Hope is one of 12 country music acts performing tomorrow at community radio station 2REM FM107.3's mammoth Country Music Extravaganza fundraiser, also at Kinross. - Border Mail

My wife and I went to the 2005 Australian Festival in Nashville's Centennial Park the other day and- BAM- we found a jewel from down under. Kelly Hope is a 21-year old award winning singer/songwriter from Albury-Wodonga, Australia. She was in Nashville recording a new album and playing a few gigs. She's got a truly memorable voice, stage presence galore and songwriting abilities way beyond her years-more than enough talent to join her fellow countrymen Keith Urban, Jamie O'Neal and Sherrie Austin in country music's limelight. Two words to Nashville label exec: Call her! To get an introduction to Kelly, go to kellyhope.com - Country Weekly USA

Border country singer-songwriter Kelly Hope is setting out on the most important journey of her career. Not only is she about to release her self-penned debut single Heartbreak Road, but the 22 year old is also celebrating her acceptance into Tamworth's Australian College of Country Music. Now based in Sydney, Hope said she was "over the moon" to be following in the footsteps of ex-college students such as Sara Storer and Brendon Walmsley and Springhurst truckie-turned country singer Travis Sinclair. "There are so many young kids out there who want to get into the college," She said. "This year was my year." Singer-songwriter Mike McClellan, acclaimed bass player Sean Rudd and singer Merelyn Carter, of the popular country duo Carter and Carter, will be the team leaders for January's intake of 18 young Australian and New Zealand signers at the Australian College of Country Music. Hope says she is keen to learn as much as she can. "My ultimate aim is not fame, it's not money; it's just basically to share my music with people, and I don't care if it takes 20 years,"she said. "I just want to be able to get at least to the point where people know who I am and people know my music." Hope's manager is border country radio personaility Keith Melbourne who last year accompanied Hope on a trip to Nashville where she recorded her new single. - Border Mail

Kelly Hope isn't your run-of-the-mill up and coming country music star. For a start, there's no attitude, no over inflated ego, and no pushy publicist. And fame and fortune don't seem to factor much in her plans. Instead, the bubbly 22 year old from Albury-Wodonga seems genuinely surprised by her success, and speaks as enthusiastically about singing around a campfire as she does of performing on stage in the world's country music capital, Nashville. From her childhood days, when she sang along to her parents' country music collection in the back of the family car, it's been all about the music. Kelly was "discovered" by her manager and veteran country music broadcaster, Keith Melbourne, at the age of 14 while busking on the streets of Tamworth and, since then, has devoted herself to honing her skills as a songwriter and performer. In 2003, she got her first taste of the studio, recording two original tracks and four covers for her debut EP, Summer Train. Soon after she won the Echuca-Moama Country Music Festival, earning her a spot on the 2004 Country Music Train to Tamworth along with established country artist such as Troy Casser-Daley. However, according to Kelly, nothing top the highs of 2005, when she spent 3 months in Nashville working with some of the industry's best musicians and recording her self titled debut album. Featuring nine original tracks writter by Kelly and one specially writter for her by American country music great, Jim Owen, the album is expected to be released in Australia in the coming months.
"I think i came out of my shell and grew up a hell of alot while I was in Nashville-and it really opened my eyes to the opportunities available overseas," Kelly said. "It was awesome, just unbelievable experience- Nashville is like Tamworth during the festival, but 24/7."
Kelly began experimenting with her writing when she was 12, but said it took her a while to learn how to "write from the heart". "It's almost like giving others an insight into your life, but i want them to see my fun side as well,"she said. "One of the songs I've written is about girls being addicted to shopping-they can't all be about love."
While she admits writing has now become "like second nature", Kelly is passionate about performing and says she couldn't do one without the other.
"I love writing, but nothing compares to the adrenalin rush you get when you're performing on stage-I couldn't choose between them," she said.
Backing Kelly all the way has been her father, Ian, who has been her main source of support and advice since the untimely death of her mother, Allannah, two years ago from cancer.
"Everybody is full of career advice, but the main person i listen to is my father-he's been incredibly supportice of me," She said. "I admire him so much."
One of Kelly's next performances is scheduled for Saturday, November 11, at the Farming Small Areas Expo, to be held at the Hawkesbury Showground, Clarendon. Now living in Sydney, Kelly said audiences could expect "loads of enthusiasm" when she hits the stage. "I'll be performing songs from my new album plus a few covers of some of my favourite country songs,"she said. "I'm really looking forward to it."
- Muster Magazine-The Land