Scrolling through Facebook a couple of months ago I came across a new song from an American artist I had never heard of.
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The song was Drinking With Dolly, and the artist was Stephanie Quayle.
It had been posted by a friend from Melbourne, Mikey Cole, who is also a country music fanatic and after hearing the song I soon purchased it on iTunes.
The traditional country-style song pays tribute to some of country music’s greatest female artists, naming Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn in the chorus.
“I love the lyrics and I love the melody to it,” Mikey said. “It’s a clever and catchy song that pays tribute to traditional country music without being a cliche and is delivered beautifully.”
After tracking down her management in the States, I was able to speak with Stephanie, via email, about the new song.
“I heard Drinking With Dolly for the first time in my producer Matt McClure's studio,” Stephanie said.
McLure is an award-winning producer, best known for his work on the 2013 CMA Song of the Year, I Drive Your Truck, by Lee Brice.
After Stephanie had played him a few of her own songs, he asked if he could play her something.
It was the first time she had heard Drinking With Dolly.
“From the first chord and first line, ‘sometimes I think I was born too late,’ I knew this was my song. It was a must.”
Stephanie’s star is firmly on the rise.
She finished in the top 5 of a competition run by iHeart radio where the listeners voted for the best young talent, helped along by her fans.
From the first chord and first line, ‘sometimes I think I was born too late,’ I knew this was my song.
- Stephanie Quayle
“The iHeart experience opened my eyes up to how incredible our Flock of Quayle (my fan family) is and how quickly the Flock is growing,” Stephanie said.
“They stopped at nothing to help get us into the Top 5.
“There's nothing better than the extraordinary friendship of my fans. I am beyond grateful.”
Looking ahead, Stephanie said she would love to perform in Australia as her career progresses.
“I can't wait to come to Australia!,” she said.
“I have been hoping one day I'll perform at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
“I learned about the festival years ago along with Australia's love of country music.
“One of my favorite songwriters, Phil Barton, is an Aussie.
“He and I have written together as well as I've cut a lot of his songs.”