For more video footage of Leah, check out her channel on YouTube at http://youtube.com/user/LeahDurelle
July 16th, 2007
Leah's new newsletter is online.
READ IT HERE
July 12th, 2007 - Nashville TN
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Leah is youngest artist to reach "The Next Level"
Leah Durelle is the youngest person ever to be featured in The Next Level, a feature in every issue of the popular online fan magazine, Indie Islands (Check it out at www.indieislands.com). Chip Martin gives a glowing review of Durelle's latest single, "I'm Not Sorry", calling the song "a real example of what is hot on country radio". The song was barely out of the gate when it rose to the top 50 of the Music Row Chart, and has been a shining performer on New Music Weekly's Up & Coming Chart, with 1,049 spin in the first week alone.
With three previous albums under her belt, Canadian teen Leah Durelle released her 4th stellar effort, the aptly named 9 Days in Nashville, to positive reviews.
Leah performed at the 2007 North American Country Music Association Int'l annual awards program. NACMAI celebrated its 10th anniversary, having been formed in 1997 by Peggy Franck to promote Country and Gospel music. A previous multi-award winner, Leah returned this year as a featured entertainer. In 2003, she was named Best Female Vocalist, Best Female Entertainer and given the award for Best CD.... all at the tender age of 11.
July 8th, 2007 - Germany
An review of Leah from Germany!
She's been on the stage since she was 10 yrs old, she likes Italian
food, Christmas is her favourite holiday, and last year she released
her 4th and latest album in the North American country music scene.
Leah Durelle, born oct 2 1991, is 15 yrs old and excites and inspires
country music fans with her fantastic voice. She enchants with her
many shows and appearances, not only with good old country songs but
also with modern hits and fantastic yodeling. Anyone who doubts this
is sadly mistaken because Leah yoddles like a true Bavarian maiden.
Naturally, we'll let our our readers know where and from whom she learned this.
Her success story reads like a fantastic book: from small appearances at
local festivals and rodeos, to big stages in Nashville. Since 1999,
she's been receiving youth and new-commer prizes, and since radio
stations have caught on, her career has taken off. In 2002 her 1st
album "Classic Country" was released, in 2003 came "Classic Country
Encore" and in 2004 "Imagine This". Meanwhile, she's opened for LeAnn
Rimes and Tanya Tucker at shows like the Great American Country
(GAC).
On her oct 2006 album, "9 Days in Nashville", the young artist
presented 10 fantastic songs including good cover versions, great hits
and haunting ballads.
I'm looking forward to the next time I see Leah live, maybe at the
Global Country Festival of the Stars at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton.
We will continue to stay tuned to the career of this fantastic artist.
Your correspondant, Robert Huffluesterer
Translated from the original German.
March 20th, 2007 - Nashville TN
Leah Durelle: 9 Days In Nashville
A Showcase Review by Fran MacLeran for Music News Nashville
I don't know what you had for lunch on Thursday, March 8th, but I had a real treat. You see I was one of the guests invited to a "Very Special Showcase by Leah Durelle". This 15 year old, with a big voice, just released her 4th album. The album, titled "9 Days in Nashville", is sprinkled with some very popular covers and well written originals. The first single released, titled "I'm Not Sorry", is currently number 58 on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart.
Leah began performing at festivals and fairs when she was 10 years old. After watching her perform on stage one can see why venues would love to include Leah on their program. She may only be 15, but her performance is definitely very professional.
"9 Days in Nashville" is an independent offering promoted by Jerry Duncan Promotions (www.duncanpromo.com). The project was directed and produced by Lee Gibson of Hot Skillet Music. Mastering of the CD was excellently performed by Mitch Malloy.
You may learn more about Leah by visiting her website (www.LeahDurelle.com). Leah is an artist that we all will be hearing more of.
The Voice of Country Music in Canada
March 20/07
March 20th, 2007 - Nashville TN
CD Review - LEAH DURELLE - 9 Days In Nashville LEAH DURELLE
9 Days In Nashville
JR Music (No Number)
Produced by: Lee Gibson
(10 Selections - Playing Time 31:15)
Suspicious Minds / Shape Up Heart / Long Gone Lonesome Blues / When You Love Somebody / Before The Next Teardrop Falls / I'm Not Sorry / Heartaches By The Number / I'm Coming Back As A Cowboy / If I Could Only Learn To Yodel
Leah Durelle, from St. Albert, Alberta, is now 15 years of age. We've been listening to her music for some five years already... and it becomes real easy to jump on her bandwagon. This young lady is destined for stardom... think we've stated that fact the first time we reviewed one of her records... 9 Days In Nashville just confirms the fact.
Here we get Leah Durelle delivering another bunch of country classics, with several new tunes added to the mix. The country classic route is an obvious path to follow for a young teen to become established and recognized, but Leah Durelle seems ready to take her game to the next level with a full-fledged album of new material, especially crafted for her.
Before that step forward is taken lets enjoy this collection which features Leah Durelle singing classic songs in the same way that LeAnn Rimes first broke on the scene... just pure vocal power, with passion and feeling that few 15 year-old's can deliver. Just listen to her gripping version of the Hank Williams nugget Long Gone Lonesome Blues... she hooks the song like few have before her, and it's been around for half a century. She treats the Freddy Fender hit Before The Next Teardrop Falls and the pop/country classic Unchained Melody with the same vocal intensity. Durelle is equally at ease with the upbeat Heartaches By The Number, popularized by Ray Price, and gives an admirable reading on the Elvis Presley hit, Suspicious Minds.
We also get a taste here of what the future holds for Leah Durelle, when she tackles some fresh material. Best bets among those come in the Larry Wayne Clark-penned Shape Up Heart; and the Sherrie Austin co-write I'm Coming Back As A Cowboy.
And just to prove how versatile Leah Durelle really is, she closes out 9 Days In Nashville with an amazing yodel performance on the Patsy Montana classic, If I Could Only Learn To Yodel.
9 Days In Nashville was produced in Nashville studios by Lee Gibson (presumably over a nine day stretch?)
February 13th, 2007 - Nashville TN
Leah Durelle is 'Not Sorry' to be Climbing Nashville Charts.
With three previous albums under her belt, Canadian teen Leah Durelle released "9 Days in Nashville" in late 2006.
The first single from the CD, "I'm Not Sorry" recently leapt into the top 30% of the Music Row Chart, jumping to #64 this week, placing Leah's song ahead of several country artists such as Vince Gill, Kelly Pickler, Jimmy Wayne, Daryl Singletary and Taylor Swift. The song also debuted impressively on New Music Weekly's Up & Coming Chart with 1,049 spins in the first week.
The album was given the honor of "CD Spotlight" on award-winning internet radio station IradioLA and according to station manager, Mark Maverick, it is a "tremendous effort in traditional and pop country. It's a hit all around."
Leah is set to perform at the 2007 North American Country Music Association (NACMAI), Int'l Annual Awards in Pigeon Forge, TN on March 10th. Being a previous award winner, she is returning this year as a featured entertainer. In 2003, she was named Best Female Vocalist, Best Female Entertainer and given the award for Best CD... all at the tender age of 11.
Leah was a past Northlands Park Country Vocal Spotlight winner and is a Global Country Heritage Foundation alumni along side artists such as Samantha King, Brett Kissel, Tiffany Dowhan, Michael Carey and Aaron Goodwin.
This Canadian Teen is making a mark in Nashville and the USA and I'm sure she is definitely 'Not Sorry' if climbing the Nashville charts is an indication.
Canada should be proud of the accomplishments Leah has achieved and the charting position that's she's been able to attain as a Canadian and an Independent artist. To make it as an artist in the American market is quite a feat and Leah is doing it.
January 8, 2006 - Nashville, TN iRadioLA Loves Leah Durelle!
iRadioLA can't get enough of country singing sensation Leah Durelle! Mark Maverick, iRadioLA's station manager, believes so strongly in Leah's new CD, "9 Days in Nashville" that he has chosen the release as iRadioLA's "CD Spotlight" this month.
iRadioLA is the only multi-format internet radio station in operation today. Founded in 1998 by Mark Maverick in his home studio, it has grown to a booming station with over 4.5 million streaming listeners annually. iRadioLA was recently declared the "Internet Radio Station of the Year" at the 2006 New Music Weekly Awards held in Hollywood, CA.
"9 Days in Nashville" is the fourth CD from Leah Durelle, who hails from Canada. Leah is a touring veteran at just 15 and has opened for superstar country acts including Tanya Tucker and Leann Rimes. Leah's first single, "I'm Not Sorry," has already been heating up iRadioLA's playlist and will be on traditional radio stations soon.
To find out more about iRadioLA or to listen online, please visit www.iRadioLA.com.
Check out the MUSIC section of this site to hear samples of Leah's songs and to order your own copy of her latest CD "9 Days in Nashville". It's also available from other online sources including CDbaby.
January 2nd, 2007 LEAH DURELLE IS NOT SORRY
Teen Singer Releases New Song to US Radio
With three successful albums under her belt, teen singer/entertainer, Leah Durelle released "9 Days in Nashville" at the end of 2006. The album contains an eclectic mix of traditional Country standards and contemporary originals.
Her first single from the new album, "I'm Not Sorry", is being released to US radio today. Written by Keith Follese and Peter Zizzo, "I'm Not Sorry" delivers killer pop country with attitude. Lee Gibson, director and producer of Hot Skillet Music in Nashville, produced the new project.
Leah's previous CD, "Imagine This", included the two hit singles "That Summer Night" and "God Loves It When We Dance".
A native of Canada, Leah Durelle was a 2005 winner in the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) talent contest, has performed at the historic Ryman in Nashville and has opened for the likes of Tanya Tucker and others in performances around the globe. In 2006, she headlined a stage at the Minot, ND HostFest, North America's largest Scandinavian festival, her third appearance at that annual event, and traveled to France to perfrom at the Equiblues Festival.
Check out the MUSIC section of this site to hear samples of Leah's songs and to order your own copy of her latest CD "9 Days in Nashville". It's also available from other online sources including CDbaby.
December 12th, 2006 Robert K. Oermann reporting from Nashville.What one of the most influential country music critics has to say about Leah's new single I'm Not Sorry.
"Very nicely produced pop-country. She sings with verve, and the melody is just yummy."
September 28th, 2006 Canadian Teen Has Cause To Celebrate
With three successful albums under her belt, teen singer/entertainer, Leah Durelle releases 9 Days in Nashville on October 2nd. The date also happens to mark the 15th birthday for the honor student and stage veteran, who has been a popular performer throughout the US, Europe and her native Canada since the tender age of 3.
Leah's previous CD, Imagine This, included the two hit singles, “That Summer Night,” released in July 2004 on CDX volume 348 and "God Loves It When We Dance,” released November 2004.
Leah was a 2005 winner in the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) talent contest, has performed at the historic Ryman in Nashville and has opened for the likes of Tanya Tucker and others in performances around the globe. She will once again headline a stage at the Minot, ND HostFest, North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, slated for October 2006. Other performers at that event include George Jones and Terri Clark.
Lee Gibson, director and producer of Hot Skillet Music in Nashville, produced the new project, which includes Country standards and contemporary originals. The CD will be available through Leah’s web site, and a variety of online sources including Cdbaby, and a first single is expected on radio by January 2007.
September 17th News Page
Leah Durelle Returns to Norsk Høstfest
September 21, 2006, Nashville, TN Tens of thousands attend North Americas largest Scandinavian Festival every year and in 2006, Norsk Høstfest celebrates its 29th year of honoring Scandinavian culture and entertainment. The event is held annually in Minot, ND.
Returning to entertain attendees this year is teen star, Leah Durelle. According to Rich Anhorn of Høstfest, the teens performance had to be moved to a larger stage this year due to audience response in 2005. Durelles fourth CD, "9 Days in Nashville" will be released on October 2, an exciting day, as that is also Leahs 15th birthday.
Leahs third CD, "Imagine This" includes the singles, "God Loves It When We Dance" and "That Summer Night" which have enjoyed medium market airplay throughout the USA. The Canadian native recorded both albums in Nashville, Tennessee.
Durelle will perform two shows daily from Wednesday, October 11th through Saturday, October 14th. For schedules, tickets and general festival information, visit www.hostfest.com
At just 14, Leahs track record is an impressive one. Performances have included Nashvilles Troubadour Theatre, the world renowned Ryman Auditorium, where she thrilled audiences at the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) show, and show openings for Tanya Tucker, LeAnn Rimes and Tommy Overstreet. The young star recently returned from France where she thrilled audiences at the Equiblues Rodeo & Country Music Festival. Even with her staggering schedule, the teen maintains a straight "A" average in school and leads a normal life with her family.
Check out Leahs updated web site for schedule updates and exciting news about upcoming TV performances. www.leahdurelle.com
August 15th News Release
14-year old Canadian native Leah Durelle will be performing at the Alabama Grill at Opry Mills on Aug. 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. She is currently in Nashville recording. The teen, who was the winner of the 2005 International Fan Club Organization talent contest, will co-headline HostFest, North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, scheduled for Oct. in Minot, ND.
Also look for information on Leah on her myspace page and on sonicbids.com.
Leah Durelle to Perform at Alabama Grill, Opry Mills
Canadian Teen In Nashville Recording 4th Album
NASHVILLE, TN. (Aug. 14, 2006) – Leah Durelle is in Nashville recording a new album with Producer, Lee Gibson of Hot Skillet Music. Leah's previous CD, Imagine This, includes two singles, "That Summer Night," released in July 2004 on CDX volume 348 and "God Loves It When We Dance," released November 2004.
Leah will perform one show at Nashville's Alabama Grill at Opry Mills on Friday, August 18 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The 14-year-old Canadian native was a 2005 winner in the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) talent contest, has performed at the historic Ryman in Nashville and has opened for Tanya Tucker and others in performances around the globe.
Leah is once again a headline act at the Minot, ND HostFest, North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, slated for October 2006. Other performers at that event include George Jones and Terri Clark.
July 13, 2006, Nashville, Tenn.– A stage veteran at the tender age of 14, Canadian native, Leah Durelle will be in Nashville to record a new album in August. Leah's previous CD, Imagine This, includes two singles, "That Summer Night," released in July 2004 on CDX volume 348 and "God Loves It When We Dance," released November 2004.
Leah was a 2005 winner in the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) talent contest, has performed at the historic Ryman in Nashville and has opened for the likes of Tanya Tucker and others in performances around the globe.
Manager Janis Richards of JR Music reports that Leah will be working with Lee Gibson, director and producer of Hot Skillet Music. Gibson’s clients include Mark Allan Springer of MASville Music, Lloyd Knight with Lofton Creek Records and Mitch Malloy. Lee has produced projects for San Francisco's Garageband Records, Faverett Music, Shadow Mountain Music, & MASville Music as well as several Nashville publishers and artist development companies. His firm has represented a partial catalog of songs by James House, who has had cuts by Dwight Yoakam, Martina, Diamond Rio, and others.
Leah is currently reviewing songs for the project, slated for release before Christmas. She will once again be a headline act at the Minot, ND HostFest, North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, slated for October 2006. Other performers at that event include George Jones and Terri Clark.
For more information on Leah, visit www.leahdurelle.com
Contact Laughing Penguin Publicity for photos and interviews.
Leah’s new CD, produced in Nashville, will be available October 2nd, 2006! Leah's Web Site is completely redesigned to be more user friendly for her fans.
