London, Ontario-based finance professional turned Country artist, Amanda Keeles, recently celebrated her first full year in the music industry. Having waited until her children reached adulthood and breaking free from a long-standing relationship that hindered her creative pursuits, the soaring vocalist and emotive songwriter made her triumphant entrance into the Canadian music scene one full year ago in January 2023. Launching her first three singles ever last year, Keeles' has already been featured on SiriusXM's Top of The Country channel, garnered significant airplay on commercial radio throughout Canada, and caught the attention of various music blogs and publications.
Her ribbon-like, feathery soft vocals soar over lyrics that honour the well-crafted storytelling tradition of Country music, both personal and imagined. Organically, her fan pages on social media skyrocketed - starting at zero and reaching over 17,000 followers, and some of the top names in music began to take notice. Pulling from the pages of her songbook she continued to fill throughout the years, Keeles courageously stepped down from her role in finance and into the artistic world, partnering with Grammy and Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) nominated producer Johnny Gasparic at Calgary's five-time CCMA winning recording studio, MCC Recording Studio, where she recorded all of the songs on her upcoming debut album. Announcing the release of "Can't Stop Me Now" - her very first album, decades in the making, Amanda has just released a biographical, and inspirational single of the same name on Friday, January 19 2024.
Recorded at the award winning MCC Recording Studio in Calgary, AB, "Can't Stop Me Now" was produced by Johnny Gasparic and features musicians Justin Kudding (Brett Kissel), Joey McIntyre, Keith Floen, Therry Lawson, and Bill Blayney. "Can't Stop Me Now" was written by Keeles herself, and brought to life by Gasparic and the all-star team of Canadian musicians. Check it out on YouTube here:
A song that musically personifies Keeles journey, "Can't Stop Me Now" is as inspirational as the artist who created it. Indirectly covering her journey into becoming an artist, "Can't Stop Me Now" tells the story of someone who bravely follows their dreams after years of waiting. Creating the unstoppable momentum that comes with going all in, the tune honours Keeles brave journey which saw her leave behind everything that held her back, and empowers those thinking of making a change of their own to do the same. Blending Keeles love of Classic Rock and Country, the song opens with a melodic blend of acoustic and electric guitar, which carefully follow her delicately delivered first verse into the song's explosive chorus. Originally written on piano, Keeles and Gasparic collaborated to give the song an unforgettable, driving rhythm that both encourages and inspires, and features a gripping guitar solo that leads into the final chorus. With layered, emotive vocals, and a Country-Rock groove, Amanda Keeles delivers a searingly motivational and memorable track from her upcoming debut album, that will be sure to delight and inspire her current and upcoming fan base.
Amanda Keeles will be releasing her debut album in early 2024, followed by a national tour.
Quote: "This song sums it up for me. I wrote "Can't Stop Me Now" as I really cannot describe this journey any other way. The bold changes I made, the empowering feeling of doing what I love, and shaking things up to find that inner happiness.. which for me is creating music. - Amanda Keeles
Upcoming Shows:
February 8, 2024 - London, ON - Wolf Performance Hall
March 2, 2024 - Chatham, ON - Chatham Kiwanis Theatre
March 8, 2024 - Woodstock, ON - Market Centre Theatre
April 6, 2024 - Hamilton, ON - The Zoetic Theatre
April 19, 2024 - Toronto, ON - The Dakota Tavern
May 4, 2024 - Kitchener, ON - Maxwell's Concert Hall
May 25, 2024 - Delhi, ON - Capital 33
June 6, 2024 - Wingham, ON - Wingham Town Hall
June 22, 2024 - Toronto, ON - TD Music Hall
Biography:
Country Singer-Songwriter Amanda Keeles is a Canadian artist from London, Ontario. She is a two-time winner of The Canadian Open Singing/Songwriting Contest. Growing up in a family of musicians, Country music filled the rooms of her childhood home igniting the passion and creativity that flows through in her songs. Her heartfelt lyrics and stage performance have captured audiences throughout her musical journey. She has performed on countless stages across Canada from piano lounges, festivals and country bars to singing national anthems at major sporting events. Her performances are versatile with acoustic versions of self written and covers to high energy rockin' country.
Her debut single "Blame it on the Moonlight" released January 30, 2023 and was picked up by over 50 country stations Canada wide including US stations, Australia and UK. It's debut peaked at #6 on the Canadian Country Indie Top 100 Chart and the video for her song is at Stingray as well as playing on ICTV in Branson, Missouri. Later, her single "My Heart Feels The Same Way Too", a powerhouse emotional ballad telling the story of a struggling relationship, was picked up by SiriusXM Radio Top of the Country, US & Canadian Radio, Australia’s Country Thunder as well as added to top Country Spotify playlists. "Saving Grace", Keeles final release of 2023, was recorded at MCC Studios in Calgary (CCMA studio of the year 2021 & 2022) and produced by Grammy and CCMA nominated Johnny Gasparic. She is joined by CCMA & Juno award winning musicians Chris Byrne (The Road Hammers) Joey McIntyre (Duane Steele) Keith Floen & Therry Lawson (TheTravelling Mabels) and Calgary artist Bill Blayney.
Amanda’s debut album release “Can’t Stop Me Now” will be released in early 2024, with a city by city release party tour beginning in February presented by Fifth Note Entertainment.
