It has been a long time since we heard new material from Kylie Harris, but this month she is releasing three new songs in her home country, just in time to be inducted into the Gold Guitar Awards Hands of Fame next year. Twice a winner of the Gold Guitar Awards, three-time winner of the Tui Country Music Album of the Year she has also a past winner of Song of the Year and the Rising Star Award. She has been kept active since moving to Nashville 20 years ago, and her own recording has taken a back seat, but we can only hope that these new songs are the precursor to a new full-length CD, as this oozes quality and class.
This is music which can only be created by people who have really lived, and here we have the story of how Mrs. Wrong married Mr. Right. The rhythm section is laid back, providing a shuffle groove, the Hammond B3 provides a sumptuous backdrop, while an electric guitar is gently picked. Then at the front we have Kylie providing rich bluesy vocals, almost vying with another electric for centre stage as it is right up there in the mix. This is laid back country with elements of gospel and a whole load of blues which could have been recorded any time in the last 60 years, with only the production quality giving it away. This feels like a band in the studio all looking at each other, getting into the heart of this song, and then bringing it to life. There is a deep passion, a vitality, with a woman baring her soul and a band ensuring the tale gets the respect it deserves. Superb.
After releasing two albums and receiving widespread acclaim in her native New Zealand, Kylie Harris decided to bring her talent to Nashville in the Spring of 1998. Her music can best be described as a “rootsy” mix of Americana and Country. An accomplished singer, writer and instrumentalist, Kylie began singing and playing guitar at 13. First-time listeners and longtime fans alike, are drawn in by her honest and soulful delivery, which has been compared to Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Linda Ronstadt , Roseanne Cash and the great Patsy Cline.
Her accomplishments started in Gore, where 17-year-old Kylie became the youngest-ever winner of the overall Gold Guitar Award. She also won the categories that year for best Gospel, Traditional and Female Vocal. This high-profile win eventually lead to a recording contract with BMG. Her second album, Fancy, also took top album honors at those same awards two years later. All this success and recognition lead her to tour throughout New Zealand and Australia as the opening act for Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, The Irish Rovers and Charley Pride.
Her meeting with Charley Pride proved to be instrumental in Kylie’s career. His recommendation and faith in her abilities lead to her debut on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in 2001. Charley forfeited one of his performance spots so that Kylie could be heard. She became reacquainted with that stage again in 2004, when once more she was asked to perform. To this day, Charley...“Kylie has it all. The voice, the talent, the personality and the looks, to be a big star”.