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Four sensational soloists, four stunning young girls and four unquestionable performers combining for a joint album release set to showcase the emerging talent held in the future of the Australian country music industry. These are, THE APPRENTICES.

Meet MAKAYLIE FOODEY, GEORGIA WHITE, KAYLAH ANNE and HANNAH SMITH. Four names rising in the ranks and with their eyes on the prize, a prestigious ARIA or a coveted Golden Guitar.

The Apprentices album was established with the intention of being an annual release, helping young, new and emerging solo artists find ways to be heard in an industry that can be so hard on great young singers.

The four girls aged between 16 and 20, bring more than standard or expected voices to the music. Handpicked by award winning record producer ROD McCORMACK, the quad are backed by CORE MUSIC and SONY MUSIC AUSTRALIA, enough reason to stop and listen to what they are offering.

Boasting different stories and backgrounds, all four deliver their recordings and interpretations uniquely and with their own confidence knowing that this is the world in which they belong. You will not find duets, trios or support backing vocals on THE APPRENTICES album release, this is four individual artists who by design, simply appear together.

All holding a mutual respect and admiration for each other, these are not lifelong friends or sisters in arms, this is simply four determined artists whom have seized the opportunity to break through together and show the fans of country music in Australia the diversity and fresh sounds that are on offer. Strength in numbers!

THE APPRENTICES will be touring around Australia through 2011 with a new show "The Master and the Apprentices". There will be a 'guest master' on different legs of the tour - some of Australian Country Music biggest names who will mentoring their support act - The Apprentices!

Each of the four exceptional solo artists freely admit they are at the beginning of their careers. Whilst still growing, learning and developing, there is no doubt after hearing their first singles from the forthcoming album (RELEASED 14th JANUARY 2011) that they more than just students.

Judge for yourself and indulge in the fresh sounds of the future of Australian Country Music. Strong, diverse, honest and real, these are the genre’s stars in waiting.

THE APPRENTICES is released through CORE MUSIC and SONY MUSIC AUSTRALIA on Friday 14th January 2011. Albums will be available through iTunes and all major record stores.

For more information, images or interviews contact:
David Woodward: david@reputationmarketing.com.au or 0413748647

SEE BELOW FOR INDIVIDUAL BIO’S AND INFORMATION ON EACH ARTIST

‘THE APPRENTICES’
Released nationally Friday 14th January 2011.

MAKAYLIE FOODEY
Confident and ready to make her mark, MAKAYLIE FOODEY is a young girl with a passion for all things music.

Hailing from Coonamble (Western NSW), the fresh eighteen year old now resides in the Hunter. Proud of her unique blend of Country/Pop music, Makalyie’s sound and style appeals to a wide range and with a growing audience and base she has grown to understand her brand, lucky for her it’s exactly what she wants to provide.

Her first single ‘BUTTERFLIES’ contained on January 14th 2011 THE APPRENTICES album release gives her live audiences the same sound they love from her. Tough, independent and telling the story just how it is, Maykaylie is honest in all things music.

A passionate songwriter, Makaylie has written with respected and recognised songwriters such as Rod McCormack, Tamara Stewart, Lyn Bowtell, Kirsty Akers, Drew McAllister and Roger Corbett just to name a few.

A graduate of the 2009 Talent Development Project (TDP), Australia’s most successful and respected entertainment industry training program, Makaylie went on to become the Inaugural winner of the “Brand New Star” Competition and has become a 2010 graduate of the Academy of Country Music.

THE APPRENTICES is sure to be the beginning of a long recording career for the already recognised Makaylie Foodey.

GEORGIA WHITE
Her voice and style will have you believe she is a harnessed, rehearsed and worldly experienced singer and performer. With a unique sound beyond her mere sixteen years, the unassuming GEORGIA WHITE is giving hope to, and exciting music industry heavyweights.

The anticipation surrounding Georgia White has already thrust upon her the hope that she will in fact not only take on the country music scene but possibly dominate it. It’s alot of pressure on the Sydney (Leppington) singer, but it’s also a challenge industry experts believe she can take on.

Discovered by Australian country music songstress GINA JEFFREYS when she entered the ‘Brand New Star’ Quest on NSW’s Central Coast, Georgia White secured the dream of many teenage girls... an album deal!

Where GEORGIA WHITE differs from so many of her Lady GaGa loving peers is her ability to stand tall and soar in the music and traditional sounds of the pioneers that she found connection and inspiration. Names many of her classmates may not even know, Patsy Cline, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss all feature heavily in the iPod of Georgia White.

This is just the beginning for Georgia White, without question one of the greatest hopes for the Australian Country Music industry.

Her first single, a cover of the infamous ‘DON’T IT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE’ will scare you with the voice and the potential this teenager has.

KAYLAH ANNE
The refreshing sound of KAYLAH ANNE and her first single ‘FOUR LEAF CLOVER’ will leave you wanting for more. Simplistic and real, natural and endearing, her promise to “do anything for you” is believable as she offers herself as the piece of luck you are looking for.

Kaylah's musical ambitions have none of the hallmarks of an overwhelmed awestruck teenager. Instead, here you’ll find a grounded individual determined to enjoy the ride.

In just over three years she has gone from busking on the streets of Newcastle and Tamworth to performing before masses at Nelson Bay and, Hastings Country Music Festivals and at Hexham.

Earnt and deserved! Named a 2007 APRA Songwriters' Teen Songwriter of the Year runner-up, Kaylah has wowed crowds already at Port Stephens' Blue Water Country Music Festival, the Royal Easter Show and at Royal Randwick Racecourse.

Kaylah’s has worked for her rewards. Her moments so far include graduating from the 2008 CMAA College of Country Music, her emergence as a Grand Finalist at the 2009 Toyota Star Maker and the prestigious Australian Country Music's 30th Annual Search for A Star. Her determination also welcomed a recent invitation on ABC's popCountry 2009 release, billed as 'a generation of young females who bring pop and country music together to create a great new sound; a collection of the best pop-country hits from this generation of Australian and International stars.'

There is no doubt Kaylah Anne belonged in the group.

HANNAH SMITH
Hailing from what has become the home the Australia’s biggest country music names; HANNAH SMITH’s Central Coast of NSW upbringing has provided her with inspiration to follow her path.

At only 18 years of age, Hannah has only been singing and songwriting for four years. It’s hard to believe when listening to her ‘ONE MORE STEP AWAY’ single release that she is still considered a newcomer. She is an obvious natural.

‘One More Step Away’ was written recently whilst Hannah was completing her HSC. Whilst her peers were considering full time academic study and various career options, Hannah’s path was leading her in a new direction. One of those times in your life, the completion and ending of your schooling years that for Hannah, not only made her question her next “step away” but also where she wanted to be.

Her ‘new direction’ is just this, recording, writing and performing. Taking the chances so many fear to do. This is Hannah Smith following her dreams and taking every chance possible. As an infant of the industry at 18 year old, Hannah’ songwriting and recording not once reflected this, instead she excited industry heavyweights that were left bewildered by her delivery of song.

With her studies now behind her, she is now concentrating on creating new material that will appeal to all generations.

Hannah Smith completes THE APPRENTICES album release. She is a triple threat talent that those currently soaring in the genre should be fearful of.