Wanaka Singer To Perform with Superstars
Her single Loud blitzes Australian music chart
South Island singing star JODY DIREEN has been contracted to perform alongside three American superstars following the phenomenal success for her single LOUD.
Jody, from Wanaka, will share the stage with Toby Keith -- who boasts 30 million album sales and 50+ Top 40 Billboard hits; American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler and RedneckWoman star Gretchen Wilson at Australia’s three-day country music festival CMC Rock's the Hunter in March.
Jody’s inclusion in the line-up alongside her idols comes following the success of her single Loud, which shot to #1 within one hour of release on the iTunes country charts and sat there for three weeks. It peaked at
#17 on the iTunes charts over all genres and peaked at #14 in the NZ Top 40 (2 weeks).
Her Loud Video made its debut on CMC (Country Music Channel) Australia two weeks ago and came in at #15 in the CMC Top
30 countdown in between videos from Kellie
Last week it had climbed to #10.
The success caps an astonishing start to the year for the young talent. Before heading off to the CMC Festival, Jody
will open for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Starship & 10CC at theGibbston Valley Winery concert on 15 February then head off to Nashville to record her next big hit!
Jody's musical journey began at age 13 when her grandma exposed her to the world of country music. From the moment Jody
picked up the guitar she was hooked – music became her world.
Her next big milestone as an artist would come at age 19 when Jody secured her first paid professional gig. This
achievement fuelled her drive to carve a name for herself in the world of music.
Three years later, after many late nights playing at local bars (and the occasional farm job), Jody was ready to make
her debut as an independent recording artist. Her first album ‘Here We Go’ was a hit with her loyal following plus it
solidified her fan base in the South Island. Support for the album came in the form of sold-out concerts throughout the
South Island including the ‘Big Night In’ concert at Forsyth Barr Stadium in front of 30,000 fans.
Jody is no stranger to the spotlight, however, winning third place on the televised talent competition ‘Find A Star’ (NZ
TV One) in 2011. Later that same year she took home the Horizon Award at the NZ National Country Music Awards. This
accomplishment secured her a spot at the 2013 Global Artist Showcase in Nashville, Tennessee.
The show would be a kick-off to the annual CMA Festival – the biggest celebration of country music in the world. Jody’s
performance at the showcase was streamed live throughout the world and would give her the opportunity to meet country
superstars Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood.
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