Beccy Cole

Over the past decade, Beccy Cole’s talents as a singer, songwriter and performer have taken her to the forefront of Australian country music.

She’s collected four Golden Guitars and is the current Australian Country Entertainer of the Year; when she tours she performs sellout shows across the country; and she’s enjoyed a string of hit singles and earnt two Gold Albums.

These days, however, it’s not only her musical talents, but the sheer force and appeal of her personality that are taking her to the next level of the entertainment industry.

Beccy’s rapidly building a profile for her compering work at major awards shows — both in country and mainstream music — and for her television appearances on programs like hit ABC show Spicks and Specks and The Wiggles’ TV show (where she took on the persona of “Beccy Bluegrass”).

Beccy won glowing accolades for her compering of this year’s Golden Guitar Awards, and was also asked to front the Variety Club’s Heart Awards in Sydney in February.

This dynamic, appealing singer has it all: personality, a style of her own, enormous talent as both a songwriter and a performer, and oceans of charisma — and that package is increasingly being seen as irresistible by Australians everywhere.

Yet Beccy remains down to earth, real, vulnerable and passionate — about life, music and her role in the industry. She’s also very committed to helping the new generation of Australian country artists to rise to the top.

Beccy’s spent most of the past year touring as a headline act, supported by rising star Jake Nickolai, but is about to head off again with regular touring partner Adam Harvey for their fun-filled ‘How Wrong is It?’ Tour.

Her latest album, Feel This Free has been warmly welcomed by her fans, and has already spawned several hit singles. The album’s about to be re-released as a special bonus edition, featuring Beccy’s latest single, “Poster Girl”, written after a trip to the Middle East at Christmas last year to entertain Australia’s troops in Iraq.

The bonus edition of Feel This Free will also feature two live tracks recorded at last year’s Gympie Muster, “Lazy Bones” and Beccy’s version of the Dolly Parton classic “Nine to Five”.

All four of Beccy’s albums have been critically acclaimed, and generated a string of hit singles, as well as two Gold Albums, for Little Victories and Wild at Heart.

Beccy’s even featured in a display at the Golden Guitar Wax Museum in Australia’s Country Music Capital of Tamworth — the first contemporary female star to be included in the museum.

Beccy began singing as a 14-year-old in her mum Carole Sturtzel’s band, and in 1993 took out the Tamworth Star Maker title. That year she was also a member of the Dead Ringer Band — in fact, she was busking with them when they were discovered on the streets of Tamworth.

Her Star Maker win led to the release of her debut single, “Foolin’ Around”, for which she collected her first Golden Guitar for Best New Talent at the 1994 Country Music Awards of Australia.

These days, Beccy Cole is regarded as one of the most outstanding and dynamic live artists in the Australian music industry. Her shows are so full of energy and life that they frequently rev the audience up to fever pitch, so it’s not surprising that she’s in huge demand to appear at festivals and events everywhere.

“I have so much to say, and it gives me so much joy to get out there and entertain people. I never tire of making that connection with my audiences,” she said.







Now Beccy wants to help other youngsters achieve their country music dreams. She’s tutored at the College of Country Music, and in 2005 was the official Telstra Road to Tamworth Ambassador. Wherever possible, she taking rising stars — most recently, Jake Nickolai — on the road with her.

“I can see myself in those kids — the love of music, the drive to succeed. I suppose they can see themselves in me too, and if that inspires them I’m really happy about it,” Beccy said.

Discography
“Foolin’ Around”/ “Sugarfoot Rag” (single)
Beccy Cole (album)
Wild at Heart (album)
Life Goes On (bonus disk)
Little Victories (album)
Just a Girl Singer (DVD)
Feel This Free (album)

Awards
1993 Toyota Star Maker winner
1994 Golden Guitar, New Talent of the Year
2001 Golden Guitar, Female Vocalist of the Year
Golden Guitar, Vocal Collaboration (with Adam Harvey, Darren Coggan and Felicity)
2002 Golden Guitar, Female Vocalist
2003 National Female Vocalist, Victorian Country Music Awards
2005 Entertainer of the Year, CMAA Industry Awards
2006 National Female Vocalist, Victorian Country Music Awards

Gold albums
Wild at Heart
Little Victories