This weeks Featured Artist is Bethannie

"Mixing a cocktail of pop, jazz & blue eyed soul, Bethannie which is the artistic aka of young English singer/songwriter Bethany Hare. With influences ranging from the torched, jazzy soulfulness of Etta James & Amy Winehouse to the cutting edge pop sensibilities of Billie Eilish, Bethannie is a new artist with a heart filled with soul, a unique voice & a bag full of songs packed with honesty, great lyrics & infections rhythms which will have you head nodding & singing along after one listen. 
Hailing from Leeds in Yorkshire, Bethannie is founder and ambassador of children’s charity Bethany’s Smile & has enjoyed performing since the age of six. Playing piano & DIY recording in her bedroom studio, Bethannie has built up a healthy online following and regularly gives mini concerts as her true love is live performance. A true singers singer, there’s a real buzz growing around this young kid from Leeds & things can only get better."

20 year old Leeds/Yorkshire girl and ex-student of Horsforth School, also Founder and Ambassador of the charity Bethany’s Smile, is excited to release her first ever song. The track, ‘The Idea of Love’ will be available to hear on Spotify, Apple Music & all other major online platforms from 31 January 2020

Bethannie, an ex ScalaKid (one of the largest private performing arts school outside London), has enjoyed performing since the age of six and has spent the last eight years performing free at charity events across the country.  This has seen her being invited to perform at many prestigious events, including Hollywood actress, Eva Longoria’s, Global Gift Gala at London’s Four Seasons Hotel in Park Lane, alongside Ronan Keating and Anastasia, to performing at the Dorchester, London for Variety GB and also WellChild, in front of an audience which included Prince Harry and Rod Stewart.

​Bethannie was most honoured to be invited as the sole performer at St James’s Palace in London by Prince William and Prince Harry, at an event to mark twenty years since the passing of their mother, Diana - Princess of Wales.  The event was organised in conjunction with The Diana Award, of which Bethannie is an Award holder.
 
It was at Eva Longoria’s event that Bethannie was spotted and recommended to two successful, experienced and talented song writers and producers who then contacted her to suggest that they work together to produce an EP.
 
Steve Edwards – has had 4 #1’s on the US Billboard Dance Club Chart, won a World Music Award for biggest selling dance single for ‘World Hold On’ and is twice Grammy nominated.  After hearing about Bethannie through Robin Taylor-Firth and meeting her in person, he recognised a genuine talent with great personality, charisma and determination.  It was a no brainer to write and produce a vision for Bethannie.  Steve said “I feel the songs reflect Bethannie’s heart and soul perfectly.  From classic soul to pop, it’s all about great song writing and production, along with an amazing performance from Bethannie to tell the stories”. 
 
Robin Taylor-Firth had a #1 in the US Billboard Dance Club Chart and a #1 in the UK singles Club Chart, as well as various top twenty UK hits over the years.  He won an Ivor Novello for writing and producing ‘You’re Not Alone’ for his one- time band ‘Olive’.  He’s also been a member of Leeds’ very own underground phenomenon ‘Nightmares on Wax’ for over 25 years, a relationship which continues to this day.  Robin stated “When I first met Bethannie, the first thing I noticed was the light she carries with her.  That, coupled with her obvious and prodigious vocal talents, made it a very easy choice and it has been, and continues to be, a privilege to work with her”.
Steve and Robin both commented “With these new songs, written just for Bethannie, we hope to try and help her reach her potential, which is HUGE! And for people to get to know this star in the making”.

Be a Featured Artist this 2020 on Smile Radio, e-mail Ritchie Johnston: ritchie.johnston@smileradio.co or
​ Richard Harrison: richard@smileradio.co with a little bio, gig/tour info and a track which sells you!
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