ALEYCE SIMMONDS

Aleyce Simmonds is absolutely thrilled with the finalists’ announcement for the 40th Country Music Awards Of Australia. The former Tamworth resident has received three finalist berths – Telstra New Talent Of The Year (The Healing Hands Of Time), Toyota Heritage Song Of The Year (Bondwood Boat co-written with the award-winning Graeme Connors) and Female Artist Of The Year (The Healing Hands Of Time).

In October Aleyce was named the ‘2011 Capital News Australian Independent Rising Star Female’ (Australian Independent Country Music Awards – Mildura) and this latest news only cements she is one of our most promising singer-songwriters. Aleyce’s debut album, “Pieces Of Me” was released at the Tamworth Country Music Festival this past January to a sell-out crowd.

“I'm absolutely speechless. This is a moment that I've dreamt about since I was a little girl. To be nominated for one GG would have been a dream come true but three and in such amazing established company? Oh gosh, someone please wake me up!” Aleyce said following the announcement.

The 2005 Telstra Road To Tamworth winner returned to Sydney in time for the announcements, after spending two days in Tamworth on a promo tour with Amber Lawrence and Paul Costa. The talented ‘threesome’ performed for 3000 school children, in the hope of motivating them about Australian Country Music and the upcoming festival.

“In my opinion, so many people are yet to discover the power of Australian country music. Children in particular these days are flooded by media and charts and possibly haven’t looked past the general perception that country music isn’t as ‘cool’ as the top 30. Amber, Paul and I teamed up for a series of school concerts in the attempt to show some of Tamworth’s youngsters that country music and the Festival that is right on their doorsteps, is most definitely worth embracing”, says Aleyce.

The winners of the 40th Jayco CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia will be announced on Saturday January 28, 2012 at the Jayco Country Theatre, Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre.