Ricki-Lee Coulter performs at The Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills, Sydney

Famous Australian singer / song writer, TV presenter and all round celebrity, Ricki-Lee, performed to a packed Beresford Hotel at Surry Hills earlier tonight.

Lee sounded and looked really good.

Her new single is 'Do It Like That'.

Official Biography

Ricki-Lee was born on November 11th 1985 in Australia. After a brief forage into an athletic lifestyle; Ricki-Lee was forced to find a new passion after a leg injury. Shortly thereafter, her mother discovered that Ricki-Lee had a phenomenal voice, and from the age of fifteen, she was a participant in musical theatre, performing in productions of Hair, Cats, Rent, Miss Saigon, and many more. In 2004, Ricki-Lee auditioned for the second season of Channel Ten's Australian Idol, a spin off of the Idol franchise. Ricki-Lee's immense stage presence as well as talent propelled her all the way to the final twelve contestants. Ricki-Lee was one of the judge favorites, as well as a fan favorite, however was unexpectedly voted out of the competition the week of the final seven. Ricki-Lee was expected to sign with Sony BMG, which signs most of the Idol finalists, however instead, she signed with Australia's largest independent record company, Shock Records. She recorded her debut album "Ricki-Lee" in Melbourne, Australia, and the final lineup included big names like Audius Mtawarria, and Israel. The first single from "Ricki-Lee" was "Hell No!", which debuted on the ARIA charts at #5, and spent three weeks in the top ten. "Hell No!" stayed in the top 40 for nearly three months, and eventually was certified Gold. Her second single, "Sunshine", was also certified Gold after debuting at #8 on the ARIA charts. Her third single from the same album, "Breathe", a beautiful ballad, eventually went to #14 on the ARIA charts. The album itself debuted at a modest #30. Following the strong success of her solo career, Ricki-Lee reunited with three other Australian Idol ladies, Paulini, Kate DeAraugo, and Emily Williams, in early 2006. Together, the four ladies created the "Young Divas", which was merely a promotional tool for the four ladies through Sony BMG, however following the success of their #2 single, "This Time I Know It's For Real', which eventually was certified Platinum, the ladies embarked on a three month tour around Australia, causing Ricki-Lee to postpone her wedding. As the "Young Divas", the ladies released a second single, a cover of Lonnie Gordon's "This Time I Know It's For Real". The single debuted at #14, and eventually rose to #9, and was certified Gold. After the strong reception of their second single, the four ladies decided to record a full-length album. The album was a monumental success, debuting at #4, and eventually being certified Double-Platinum. A third single was released, "Searchin'", however the single only hit #40 on the ARIA charts. In April 2007, after a difficult period of personal debate, Ricki-Lee decided she was going to leave the Young Divas, in order to continue pursuing her solo career. She immediately went back into the studio to work on her second solo album. The first single off that album was "Can't Touch It", Coulter's biggest success to date, debuting at #2, and eventually certified gold. She released her second solo album, "Brand New Day", on August 11th 2007. The album debuted at #37. Her second single, "Love Is All Around", debuted at #5 on the ARIA charts and was also eventually certified Gold. Her third single off her second album, "Can't Sing A Different Song", will be released to radio February 2008. She is also signed, as of late 2007, to Japan's music label "Pony Canyon", and Europe's "Ministry Of Sound".

Websites

Ricki-Lee Coulter official website
www.ricki-lee.com 

The Beresford Hotel
www.merivale.com.au/theberesfordhotel 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com 

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

APRA MUSIC AWARDS PRESENTERS AND PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED, MARY LOPEZ AM TO RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS TED ALBERT AWARD

With the red carpet set to roll out in just over a week, the 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS are the grand finale to Song Summit 2012 and will be held on the closing night of the three-day music industry expo on Monday May 28th at the Parkside Ballroom, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Along with details of special Music Awards guest presenters and performers, APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) is proud to announce that MARY LOPEZ AM will receive the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

Chosen by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors, the TED ALBERT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO AUSTRALIAN MUSIC has been bestowed upon some of Australia’s most respected music industry heavyweights including Don Burrows, Michael Chugg, Slim Dusty, Triple J, Bill Armstrong, Angus & Malcolm Young, Roger Davies, Denis Handlin AM, the late Jimmy Little and last year’s recipient Paul Kelly for their contribution in shaping and developing the Australian music landscape.

A highly respected talent consultant committed to finding ways to develop and showcase talented Australians of all ages, MARY LOPEZ is also committed to leveling the playing field, working hard to ensure that all aspiring and talented young Australians are given an equal opportunity to follow their music and entertainment dreams. Her love for, and admiration of, the performers she has mentored shines through in the success of the almost 60 significant and spectacular productions she has staged over her career, including the Schools Spectacular which she directed for 25 years. Mary has been responsible for dozens of other major public events including ‘An Australian Christmas’ at Darling Harbour, the NSW Premier’s Concert, the World Indigenous People’s Conference Opening and Closing Ceremonies and many more.

Mary’s passion for promoting and nurturing talented young people led her to co-found the Talent Development Project (TDP) in 1991, a widely respected music industry training program which prepares gifted young performers for careers in the music and entertainment industry. She has been the Artistic Director of this unique scheme since its inception. Mary’s ability to identify the potential in young performers has been shown by the success of the program. Star TDP graduates include recording artists Human Nature, Angus & Julia Stone and Paulini, Music Director and Composer John Foreman, Hi 5 star Nathan Foley, Jazz singer Emma Pask and a host of award-winning country music performers including Darren Coggan, Felicity Urquhart, Drew McAlister, Jedd Hughes, Travis Collins and The McClymonts. Mary’s success also lies in her use of the TDP and the Schools Spectacular to provide a level playing field for disadvantaged young performers. As a result, ATSI (Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander) students, and those with mental or physical disabilities are now being given a chance to excel, regardless of their circumstances.

Mary’s development of talented young Australian entertainers and her contribution to the performing arts was recognised by her appointment as a member of the Order of Australia, one of this country’s highest honours. In 2007, she received the Variety Humanitarian of the Year Award and in 2010 her contribution to Public Education and the Arts was recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Western Sydney.

The TED ALBERT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO AUSTRALIAN MUSIC will be presented to MARY LOPEZ by country music singer songwriter FELICITY URQUHART at the 2012 APRA Music Awards. One of the leading lights of the Australian country music scene, Felicity is still very much involved in Mary’s NSW Talent Development Project and in between a hectic schedule which includes being a presenter on Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender, other TV and radio roles, and being the face of The Heart Of Country for Tourism NSW, she is widely regarded as one of the country’s finest vocalists and songwriters.

In addition to our hosting team of JONATHAN BIGGINS and MISSY HIGGINS, APRA is delighted to welcome YUSUF ISLAM as a special guest presenter for the 2012 APRA Music Awards. Singer songwriter, activist and philanthropist, Yusuf Islam is one of popular music's most famous and intriguing figures. Having sold in excess of 60 million records sold worldwide, and with a phenomenal fan base, Yusuf is now focusing on a new musical he has produced called 'Moonshadow' which had its world premiere in Melbourne. The musical fantasy written by Yusuf, features the songs which he penned as Cat Stevens, weaving together new songs with his classics, hits such as Father & Son, Wild World, Matthew & Son and The First Cut is the Deepest. YUSUF ISLAM will present the award for APRA SONG OF THE YEAR. Widely respected music industry veteran PHILIP MORTLOCK, Head of Creative Services at Alberts will also present at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

TINA ARENA one of Australia’s most iconic voices, will perform at the 2012 APRA Music Awards. From her humble beginnings in Moonee Ponds and a career defining slot on Young Talent Time in the early 80’s, TINA ARENA’s inner artist emerged and she has become a songwriter with emotional experience and depth of feeling and an internationally-acclaimed singer with the ability to touch and capture hearts through song. Tina joins us just ahead of a national orchestral tour scheduled for June to August. Also performing at the APRA Music Awards will be TEX PERKINS, another bona-fide legend and founder of seminal bands Beasts of Bourbon, The Cruel Sea and Dark Horses. Most recently Tex has been channeling another legend in Johnny Cash receiving a Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Concert, for THE MAN IN BLACK where he takes to the stage as Cash for two hours of magnificent music interwoven with the story of his rise to stardom, his fight for survival and his eventual redemption.


Also performing at the 2012 APRA Music Awards will be the wonderful BOB EVANS (aka Kevin Mitchell). Renaissance man Mitchell has had a wonderful career with band Jebediah and his alter ego Bob Evans showing his skills as a champion songwriter and troubadour. His performance at the APRA Music Awards proceeds an appearance at Splendour In The Grass under his original persona of Kevin Mitchell performing 50 Years of Bob Dylan!, where he will team up with Holly Throsby, Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe) and Patience Hodgson (The Grates) as well as surprise guests.

With a restless creative energy that has seen him make a killer solo album, join forces in numerous projects and supergroups including The Wrights and Hot Rollers as well as being founder and co-vocalist of a little band called Spiderbait, KRAM joins the APRA Music Awards as a special guest performer. An accomplished singer-songwriter, drummer and musical all-rounder, expect the unexpected when KRAM hits the stage.

We all know her voice by now. The wonderful talent that is KATE MILLER-HEIDKE joins us as a special guest performer at the 2012 APRA Music Awards.

Following double-platinum sales for her last album (2008’s Curiouser), sets at Coachella, international dates supporting Ben Folds, acclaimed opera performances in Australia and the UK, Kate Miller-Heidke has returned with her panoramic new album Nightflight, her first solo album in three years which debuted at #2 on the national ARIA Chart.

Singer-songwriter and performer extraordinaire BERTIE BLACKMAN rose to fame with her debut album in 2004, Headway, which came after years of prolific
performances in which she developed a dedicated following. Bertie delivers pop music with depth. Her voice is seductive, her lyrics are inventive and honest and she mesmerizes as a live performer. "When I’m playing music, I just disappear into what's going on," she says.

Touted as a “human powerhouse” (The Australian) and “prodigious chanteuse” (Rolling Stone), ascendant pop songstress SOPHIA BROUS (known as BROUS) brings to the APRA Music Awards an uncompromising vision for pop. Her songs evoke the widescreen majesty of Scott Walker and classic melodies of Morricone's Mina - unforgettable choruses crowned by Brous' extraordinarily expressive voice.

Performing live at the 2012 APRA Music Awards is RUSSELL MORRIS, one of Australia's most enduring singers. A major pop star in the late '60s, he went on to become one of the country's first singer-songwriters scoring five Australian Top 10 singles during the late 1960s and early 1970s. On 1 July 2008, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) recognised Morris' iconic status when he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Sydney outfit PVT has established themselves as a beacon of the Sydney music scene – awarded best local release of the decade by FBi Radio. Renowned for their live performances, the trio have approached recording as an ‘opportunity to create new space on stage’. They harness all their power for a special performance at the APRA Music Awards.

The 2012 APRA Music Awards, which will celebrate the achievements of Australian composers and publishers from the previous twelve months, will announce the winners in the categories of: Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, Most Played Australian Work, Most Played Australian Work Overseas, International Work of the Year, Country Work of the Year, Blues & Roots Work of the Year, Urban Work of the Year, Dance Work of the Year and Rock Work of the Year.

The recipients of the prestigious Songwriter of the Year (as determined by the APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors) will also be announced at the gala industry event. And of course, the event will feature the announcement of the coveted peer voted music prize – the APRA Song of the Year.
The 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS will be filmed by subscription television partner MAX for a special that will be broadcast exclusively on MAX on TUESDAY 12TH JUNE at 8.00PM along with an encore presentation at 10.30am on THURSDAY JUNE 14TH. Featuring exclusive interviews from the red carpet and backstage, as well as a wrap up of all the award winners, this is a special broadcast not to be missed! MAX is available on FOXTEL and AUSTAR.

Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins, the 2012 APRA Music Awards will feature performances by Tina Arena, Tex Perkins, Kate Miller-Heidke, Bob Evans, Kram, Sophia Brous, Russell Morris, PVT and Bertie Blackman and special guest presenters Yusuf Islam, Felicity Urquhart and Philip Mortlock.

CATEGORIES FOR 2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS

Song of the Year
Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
Most Played Australian Work
Most Played Australian Work Overseas
International Work of the Year
Country Work of the Year
Blues & Roots Work of the Year
Urban Work of the Year
Dance Work of the Year
Rock Work of the Year.
The APRA Board of Writer and Publisher Directors determine the following:
Songwriter of the Year
Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

2012 APRA MUSIC AWARDS
Monday May 28th
Parkside Ballroom,
Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre,
Hosted by Jonathan Biggins and Missy Higgins
www.apra-amcos.com.au

Websites

APRA
www.apra-amcos.com.au 

APRA Awards
www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards.aspx 

Song Summit
www.songsummit.com.au 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com 

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

Yusuf Islam

Yusuf Islam , a photo by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer on Flickr.

Nicole Richie launches her House of Harlow at David Jones' Sydney store

Nicole Richie this morning made her first official Sydney public appearance since husband Joel Madden joined The Voice.

The mum of two - who was being pitched around as "available for paid appearances" earlier this year - has found a taker and fronted up to David Jones' Elizabeth St store this morning.

The fashionista launched the new sunglasses and handbag range from her label House Of Harlow at a press conference and meet-and-greet with shoppers.

Any fans who wanted a photo with Australia loving Nicole had to part with about $100 to buy product, before a photo and meet and greet could happen.

Update...

Nicole Richie is planning to spend 'more time' in Australia.

The fashion designer and famous wife of rocker Joel Madden, has been in the country while her husband  works on the Australian version of 'The Voice', and she admits she has become enchanted with Sydney and wants to find a way of spending more time in sin city Sydney.

She said: "We're going to be out here for a while, both of us love it. Sydney is my favourite city, we're definitely going to be looking to spend more time here, what's not to love!"

Nicole - who has daughter Harlow, four, and two-year-old son Sparrow with Joel - loves the city because people are "very respectful" when she is enjoying time with her family.

She said: "Part of the reason I love Sydney so much and why I love Australia as a whole, I find that people are very nice and very respectful, especially when I'm with my family, I really cannot complain about anything, we are so blessed to be here, I love Sydney so much, everyone is so nice and welcoming."

In addition to the welcoming people, Nicole has also enjoyed watching rugby Down Under, and she especially likes the hunky men who play the sport.

She told 2Day FM radio's Kyle Jackie O Show: "It was so fun, first of all I don't even understand American football, we were sitting in a box, we had the best time, that's the best view in Sydney of those guys running around in those outfits!".

Nicole is the latest in a long list of American celebrities who have looked to Australia as a new place to market their wares.

More facts...

Nicole Camille Richie (born Nicole Camille Escovedo; September 21, 1981) is an American fashion designer, author, actress, singer and television personality. Richie rose to prominence for her role in the Fox reality television series, The Simple Life which lasted five seasons. Afterwards she turned her focus on other projects including charity work and environmental issues. In November 2007 Richie and husband, Joel Madden, created "The Richie Madden Children's Foundation". She is currently one of the three mentors on NBC's Fashion Star.

Websites

Nicole Richie official website
www.nicolerichie.com 

House of Harlow
www.houseofharlow1960.com

David Jones
www.davidjones.com.au 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com 

The Nullarbor Nymph opens and plays red carpet at Entertainment Quarter, Fox Studios, Sydney

Merrick & The Highway Patrol threw a huge premiere for ‘The Nullarbor Nymph’ tonight at Hoyts, Fox Studios Australia - Entertainment Quarter, in Sydney.

'The Nullarbor Nymph' was made in the small Australian town of Ceduna and stars mainly local farmers. The film’s director Mathew Wilkinson had to clean toilets for months, just so that he could fund it.

The movie has been turned away from every film festival in the world, so Merrick & The Highway Patrol want to get behind this tiny Aussie film by rolling out the red carpet and giving it the premiere it deserves!

'The Nullarbor Nymph' is a mockumentry following two Water Australia employees as they travel across the Nullarbor Plain only to be hunted down by the mythological creature the Nullarbor Nymph, a blonde, seductive temptress wearing kangaroo skins with a taste for destruction.

Director: Mathew J. Wilkinson
Writer: Mathew J. Wilkinson
Stars: Douglas Feary, Paul Hayman and Jessica Sterling

Websites

The Nullarbor Nymph Facebook

www.facebook.com/NullarborNymph

Triple M - Merrick And The Highway Patrol

www.triplem.com.au/sydney/shows/merrick-watts-highway-patrol

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth Bring The Enchantment of SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNSTMAN on tour to Sydney this June

Twilight superstar Kristen Stewart and Australian favourite Chris Hemsworth, hot off the phenomenal success of Avengers, join visionary Director Rupert Sanders on a tour to Sydney for the Australian premiere of their epic action-adventure SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNSTMAN, taking place in true style at Event cinemas, Westfield Bondi Junction June 19. The trio will be enchanting press on Tues 19th and Wed 20th June to promote the breath-taking new vision of the legendary tale, opening in Cinemas across Australia on Thursday June 21.

Kristen Stewart (the Twilight saga, On the Road) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil Queen Ravenna (Academy Award® winner Charlize Theron of Prometheus, Hancock) who is out to destroy her.  But the wicked ruler never imagined that the young woman who has escaped her clutches and now threatens her reign has been training in the art of war with a Huntsman named Eric (Chris Hemsworth of Thor, The Avengers) who was dispatched to capture her.

The epic action-adventure is brought to the screen by Joe Roth, the billion-dollar blockbuster producer of Alice in Wonderland, and, in his feature-film debut, acclaimed commercial director and state-of-the-art visualist Rupert Sanders.

Websites

Snow White and The Hunstman
www.snowwhiteandthehuntsmanmovie.com.au 

NBC Universal
www.nbcuni.com 

Universal Pictures (Australia)
www.universalpicturesaustralia.com.au

Sydney Aquarium hosts a Mad Hatter's tea party under the sea

A Mad Hatter’s tea party under the sea...

Sydney Aquarium divers indulge in a biggest morning tea under the sea...

Sydney Aquarium hosted its very own Mad Hatter’s tea party under the sea in its iconic Great Barrier Reef exhibit today

Surrounded by some of Australia’s most magical marine life, Sydney Aquarium divers enjoyed their very own tea party underwater in support of Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, dressed as characters from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Following this, the resident sharks in the Great Barrier Reef received their own morning tea, a sight not to be missed!

In celebration of one of Australia’s best-loved fundraising events, Sydney Aquarium’s Mad Hatter’s tea party is part of a public morning tea to raise money for the Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. All proceeds from marine animal inspired cupcakes sold at Sydney Aquarium will be donated to the Cancer Council to help raise vital funds for cancer research, prevention and support services.

The public morning tea was served from 9am until 12pm in the Aqua Café and Great Barrier Reef exhibit.

Coverage:

An underwater Mad Hatter’s Tea Party inside the Great Barrier Reef Exhibit amongst some of Australia’s most iconic marine life

Resident sharks in the Great Barrier Reef receiving their very own morning tea

Interview with: Sydney Aquarium General Manager, Jade McKellar

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea ambassador and passionate supporter of Cancer Council, Jacqueline Stene, who last year raised over $10K and has raised $87.5K since her first morning tea at her home.

Websites

Sydney Aquarium
www.sydneyaquarium.com.au

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
www.biggestmorningtea.com.au 

Darling Harbour official website
www.darlingharbour.com 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography 

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com