WHEN Katie Hardyman was just eight-years-old, she made her dad a promise.
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“I said I would go to Hollywood one day.”
Next month (November) she will board a plane to the United States on the way to realising that long-held dream.
The talented songwriter from Pampoolah will attend the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) on November 11 where her song, Fly (listen here), is nominated in the adult contemporary section.
HMMA is widely acknowledged as the precursor to other mainstream award shows such as The Golden Globes, Grammys and Emmys.
The ceremony is hot on the heels of her gold medal win in the Global Music Awards for the same song.
Recognition through these awards helps musicians climb to the next level of their career with media attention, opportunities for professional collaboration and resulting sales.
“The Global Music Awards win is huge,” she said.
Her trip to the US wasn’t something Katie had ever thought possible, and even after her nomination was announced the mum of four wasn’t going to go until a family member convinced her she needed to take up this opportunity of a lifetime.
With her husband Matt unable to travel with her, she will going with her friend Amanda Vance.
“We’ve been friends since I was 17 and she has supported me all the way.
“I rang her and she jumped at the chance.
“I’m just excited I’m going.”
Katie’s song Fly was inspired by her daughter Lucy moving away from home.
She had originally written a folk version called It’s Not Goodbye, which featured vocals by Laura Zarb.
The song went on to win the 2014 UK Songwriting Contest Acoustic/Folk category.
Katie then decided to turn the song into a style more appropriate for film (her dream is to write music for films), and worked with Peter Stevenson from Turnaround Music in Taree to rearrange the music, change some of the lyrics, and the title, and had singer Rachael Beck record the vocals.
“You know it’s funny. I wrote Fly for Lucy when she left home but after listening to it a few years later, I realised I was actually writing my own story.
“The whole song is heart-based. Maybe that’s why people like it. It’s a really honest song.”
Katie will mingle with Hollywood stars and film producers at the awards ceremony (which is being presented by Eric Roberts, brother of actress Julia Roberts), and will also attend a private cocktail party with film producers where she has the chance to give them copies of her music to take with them.
“We can put a copy of our music into VIP bags that are going to be distributed.”
Another reason Katie is excited to have won the Global Music Awards is the fact she receives 100 printed CDS, which she can then distribute (if she has them in time she hopes to put them in the VIP bags), as well as a custom made wall plaque and other prizes.
While in the United States, she will also meet with Spider Cues Publishing, the record company she has signed with.
It has been a big year for Katie, who in January had all but decided not to write anymore songs or enter anymore contests.
“Then I wrote two new ones and I’m back in the studio soon!”
She has also had a chance to learn more about songwriting from one of the best (she has never had any formal training).
“When I won the UK Songwriting Contest I tapped into judge Mark Cawley, a hit songwriter behind some huge acts, including the Spice Girls.
“He has been mentoring me all year.”
Katie has put in the hard work over many years and believes that turning your dreams into a reality is possible.
“Anyone can do it if you put your mind to it.
“If you’re passionate about something you just do it. You make it work and find the time.”
Next year will be another year of change for Katie and her family. Instead of writing songs with lyrics she will turn her attention to writing film scores.
The Hardyman’s will also relocate to Sydney to take up a business opportunity.
High praise from the founder of the Global Music Awards
“FLY is a beautiful love story of the purest type, a mother’s love.
‘Your eyes they shone like diamonds, your tiny hands so beautiful?..the twinkle in your pretty eyes was there when you were born, your soul, so full of wonder, I knew that you would soar... fly, fly, fly.’
With the lyrics of Fly, Katie Hardyman bares her soul and reveals her heart. Her lyrics voice the universal love experienced by parents around the world. The music, also by Hardyman, enhances the lyrics, much like the soundtrack for a good movie.
We judged the version of Fly sung by Rachael Beck who has the perfect voice for this song. Our judges love this song and congratulate Katie Hardyman on this superb achievement.”
Thomas Baker, Ph.D., Founder, Global Music Awards
The selection process
Submissions to Global Music Awards go through a multi-layered judging process including listener impact, technical quality, uniqueness and styling.
All first-level judging is conducted by Global Music’s in-house professionals. All the entries recommended for gold, silver, and bronze medals are carefully screened by Global Music Awards Founder and CEO, Thomas Baker, Ph.D., who has more than a dozen years in film and music.
Dr Baker produced an award-winning television series in cooperation with the University of California and created the Accolade Competition, Indie Fest and the Best Shorts Competition.
Entries judged to be potential gold winners may be sent to outside judges for additional review.
lauren.green@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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