Amber Lawrence
{{Short description|Australian country music singer-songwriter (born 1978)}}
{{BLP sources|date=May 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Amber Lawrence
| image = Amber Lawrence 2016.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Amber Lawrence, Penrith, March 2016
| image_size =
| birth_name = Amber Louise Lawrence
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1978|4|19}}
| birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| origin =
| genre = {{hlist|Australian country|children's}}
| occupation = Musician
| instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}}
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = {{hlist|ABC|Universal|Core/Sony}}
| website = {{URL|amberlawrence.com.au}}
}}
Amber Louise Lawrence (born 19 April 1978) is an Australian country music singer-songwriter-guitarist. Five of her studio albums have reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 50, 3 (2012), Superheroes (2014), Happy Ever After (2016), Our Backyard (2017) and Spark (2019, No. 13). At the Country Music Awards of Australia Lawrence has won six Golden Guitar trophies.
Lawrence has performed and is featured at many of the leading country music festivals, such as Gympie Muster, CMC Rocks The Hunter and QLD, Mildura Music Festival, Deni Ute Muster, Caboolture, Mudbulls & Music and Derwent Valley Muster.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsnn.net/2015/01/earlybird-offer-on-country-muster.html|title=New Norfolk NEWS: Earlybird offer on country muster|publisher=newsnn.net|accessdate=25 November 2015}}{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} She has toured with the likes of Lee Kernaghan, The McClymonts, Adam Harvey, Melinda Schneider, Sunny Cowgirls, and Kaylens Rain, and event tours such as Chic Frontier.
Over the years, Lawrence has also been a supporter of Australia's military, performing for the troops both abroad and at various events around the country. In 2007, she played in East Timor,{{cite journal |date=December 2007 |title=From Little Pattie to the Screaming Jets a tradition continues |journal=Platypus Magazine |publisher=Australian Federal Police |issue=97 |pages=30–31 |url=http://www.afp.gov.au/~/media/afp/pdf/3/30-31-from-little-pattie-to-the-screaming-jets.pdf |access-date=27 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404225700/http://www.afp.gov.au/~/media/afp/pdf/3/30-31-from-little-pattie-to-the-screaming-jets.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} and in 2013, she was in the Sinai, entertaining Australian and coalition forces.{{cite news |title=Amber Lawrence is busy with music and mates |newspaper=Northern Daily Leader |date=22 January 2014 |url=http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/2038544/amber-lawrence-is-busy-with-music-and-mates/}} Her song "Man Across The Street" is about a returned veteran; it resulted in her 2013 Golden Guitar nomination for "Best Female Artist of the Year".
Personal life
Amber Louise Lawrence was born on 19 April 1978.{{cite web | url=http://www.amberlawrence.com.au/bio.htm | title=Biography – Country Music Singer Songwriter | last=Lawrence | first=Amber | website=Amber Lawrence Official Website | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20070829001226/http://www.amberlawrence.com.au/bio.htm | archive-date=29 August 2007 | access-date=31 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Citation | author1=Lawrence, Amber | title=Happy Ever After | year=2016 | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/214295699 | access-date=31 December 2021 | quote=Creator: Lawrence, Amber (performer.) (1978-) }} She grew up in the Sydney suburb of Mascot with two siblings.{{cite web |title=Interview: Amber Lawrence |url=http://www.countrymusicchannel.com.au/pages/main-menu/news/latest-news/interview--amber-lawrence|publisher=Country Music Channel |access-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130915080239/http://www.countrymusicchannel.com.au/pages/main-menu/news/latest-news/interview--amber-lawrence |archive-date=15 September 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all |agency=Australian Associated Press (AAP) }}{{cite web | url=http://schools.austar.com.au/events/bios.aspx?id=25 | title=Events > Bios: Amber Lawrence | website=AUSTAR for Schools | date=September 2010 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110412201246/http://schools.austar.com.au/events/bios.aspx?id=25 | archive-date=12 April 2011 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Her father, Brian Lawrence, was a surf lifesaver at South Maroubra club until he had a stroke at age 40.{{cite web | url=http://www.surflifesaving.com.au/news/amber-lawrence-hits-her-stride-for-stroke | title=Amber Lawrence Hits Her Stride for Stroke | website=Surf Life Saving NSW | date=14 November 2014 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150322032733/http://www.surflifesaving.com.au/news/amber-lawrence-hits-her-stride-for-stroke | archive-date=22 March 2015 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} When a toddler, Lawrence wandered onto the busy road in front of her home and was saved from serious injury by a neighbour.{{cite web | url=http://www.defencecare.org.au/ambassadors/amber-lawrence | title=Amber Lawrence | publisher=RSL Defence Care | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20190306191222/http://www.defencecare.org.au/ambassadors/amber-lawrence | archive-date=6 March 2019 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite press release | author= | url=http://www.hotoffthepress.com.au/news/2011/12/media-release-Amber-Lawrence-3-2012-Tour-Dates.html | title=Amber Lawrence – 2012 Tour Dates | website=Hot off the Press | year=2012 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20140204123355/http://www.hotoffthepress.com.au/news/2011/12/media-release-Amber-Lawrence-3-2012-Tour-Dates.html | archive-date=4 February 2014 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} She attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Sydney where she completed the Higher School Certificate in 1995, including a place in the Order of Merit List.{{cite web|title=1995 Higher School Certificate Order of Merit List|url=http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/bos_stats/hsc95_5000/hsc95t5k_4.html|publisher=boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au|accessdate=15 September 2013}} She excelled at athletics and tried out for the state team.
After graduating from the University of New South Wales with a commerce degree and working for six years as a chartered accountant for Qantas, Lawrence became a full-time musician.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616110720/http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s2593350.htm |url=http://www.abc.net.au/profiles/content/s2593350.htm |title=Amber Lawrence |date=9 June 2009 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |archive-date=16 June 2009 |access-date=28 December 2021 }} She had started guitar lessons from the age of 22. Brian Lawrence died in September 2008, aged 52, after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
Lawrence met marketer Martin Newman via a dating app in 2016.{{cite news | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20200320215238/https://www.camdencourier.com.au/story/6125361/amber-lawrence-has-new-spark-in-her-step/?cs=2999 | url=https://www.camdencourier.com.au/story/6125361/amber-lawrence-has-new-spark-in-her-step/?cs=2999 | title=Australian Country Music Favourite Amber Lawrence Tours New Album Spark to Laurieton | last=Byram | first=Vickii | work=Camden Haren Courier | archive-date=20 March 2020 | date=13 June 2019 | access-date=9 January 2022 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On Christmas Day 2017, Lawrence and Newman were engaged at Coogee Beach,{{Cite news |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/country-music-singer-amber-lawrence-is-engaged-to-tinder-boyfriend-martin-newman/news-story/e813b4e9e360dd334a430157411d2bda |title=Country music star engaged to Tinder boyfriend |last=Moran |first=Jonathon |date=16 February 2018 |website=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=9 January 2022 }} and in August 2018 the couple had a child.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/5452727/mums-the-word/ |title=Mum's the word |first=Josh |last=Leeson |date=9 June 2018 |website=Newcastle Herald }} On 2 May 2019 they married in Port Douglas, Queensland.{{cite news | url=https://issuu.com/info-capitalnews.com/docs/2019_country_music_capital_news_-_june_issue_volum | title=Dream Big | work=Country Music Capital News | date=1 June 2019 | volume=44 | issue=6 | last=Sheridan | first=Haley | pages=20–21 | access-date=9 January 2022 }}
After a chance encounter at an airport in 2017, a unique opportunity presented itself when Lawrence was invited to perform in New York for an event commemorating the 75th Anniversary Battle of the Coral Sea with the American Association. The audience was made up of surviving war veterans, then-Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, then-President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump among others. Lawrence performed the poignant "100 Year Handshake" which she wrote especially for the event with her now-husband Martin Newman.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
In 2019, Lawrence was invited to perform as part of Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight, broadcast live annually on Christmas Eve from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, Australia.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Lawrence is also a mentor to young artists in the Australian Music industry and has provided free entertainment and mentoring in over 300 schools Australia wide, as part of her 'Be Your Own Superhero' program.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Lawrence is the face of iHeartRadio Australia Country, hosting the show each week, a guest presenter on Channel 9's 'Getaway' and was the co-host of the CMC Music Awards in 2017 – live on Foxtel, and the 2019 Golden Guitar Awards. Lawrence was also extremely honored to receive an Australia Day Bronze Achievement Award for her contribution to War Veterans and their families, via her work with RSL DefenceCare.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
From February 2022 to 23 April 2022, Lawrence hosted ABC Radio's Saturday Night Country national show, temporarily replacing regular host Beccy Cole.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Music career
=2003–2006: Career beginnings and ''I've Got the Blues''=
In January 2003, Lawrence started busking in Tamworth ahead of its annual country music festival although she has said that "I had no idea what Tamworth was about." She was still working as an accountant, "It wasn't really a conscious decision for me to become a country singer." Returning in 2004, she entered the Road to Tamworth competition and finished second behind Jessica Mauboy. Also that year she attended the College of Country Music, where she met fellow aspiring country singer Travis Collins.{{cite web | url=https://freetimes.com.au/stories/2017-10-17/golden-guitars-in-our-backyard/ | title=Golden Guitars in 'Our Backyard' | last=Sollars | first=Jeremy | website=Southern Free Times | date=17 October 2017 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20180323153956/https://freetimes.com.au/stories/2017-10-17/golden-guitars-in-our-backyard/ | archive-date=23 March 2018 | access-date=31 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The singer-songwriter was one of nine grand finalists for the Star Maker Quest at the 2005 Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA), but lost to Samantha McClymont.{{cite web | url=http://www.capitalnews.com.au/custom.asp?page_id=6&y=2002&m=2 | title=Toyota Star Maker 2005 | website=apital News | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050615175816/http://www.capitalnews.com.au/custom.asp?page_id=6&y=2002&m=2 | archive-date=15 June 2005 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In January 2006, Lawrence independently released her debut four-track extended play, I've Got the Blues. It was produced by Matt Fell and reached the ARIA singles chart top 100.{{cite journal | date=30 January 2006 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20060219130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20060220-0000/issue830.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 30th January 2006 ~ Issue #830 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=830 | pages=2, 4, 7, 18 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue830.pdf | archive-date=19 February 2006 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
=2007–2011: ''The Mile'' and ''When It All Comes Down''=
Lawrence's debut studio album, The Mile, was released in July 2007 and was again produced by McCormack.{{Citation | author1=Amber Lawrence (Performer) | title=The Mile | year=2007 | publisher=MRA (Label)/destra Media (Distributor) | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/37137040 | access-date=28 December 2021}} The title track relates to Sam McRae, a "16-year-old jockey" who "died in a racing accident".{{cite web | url=http://nucountry.com.au/articles/diary/november2014/101114_amberlawrence_cdreview.htm | title=Dave's Diary – Amber Lawrence CD Review | last=Dawson | first=Dave | website=Nu Country | date=10 November 2014 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20190326164955/http://nucountry.com.au/articles/diary/november2014/101114_amberlawrence_cdreview.htm | archive-date=26 March 2019 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The album reached No. 13 on the ARIA Country Albums chart.{{cite journal | date=16 July 2007 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20070719140034/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20070720-0000/issue906.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 16th July 2007 ~ Issue #906 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=906 | page=20 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue906.pdf | archive-date=19 July 2007 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
At the 2008 CMAA, she was nominated for "Female Artist of the Year" and "New Talent", and in the following year she was nominated for "Female Artist of the Year", "APRA Song of the Year" and "Video Clip of the Year". She received a nomination for "Country Work of the Year" for The Mile{{'}}s single, "Good Girls" at the APRA Music Awards of 2009.{{cite web |url=http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2000-2010/2009-awards/music-awards/country-work-of-the-year/ |title=2009 APRA Music Awards |publisher=APRA AMCOS |accessdate=23 April 2015}} At the AIR Awards of 2009, The Mile was nominated for Independent Country Album of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s2717560.htm |title=AIR Awards 2009 nominations |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=19 October 2009 |accessdate=23 April 2015}}
Her second studio album, When It All Comes Down, was released in August 2009. It reached No. 17 on the ARIA Country Albums chart and No. 16 on the related Hitseekers Albums chart.{{cite journal | date=7 September 2009 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20091004130030/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20091005-0000/issue1019.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 7th September 2009 ~ Issue #1019 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1019 | pages=22–23 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1019.pdf | archive-date=4 October 2009 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Two of its tracks, "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" and "The Good Men" were in honour of her father, Brian, who had died in the previous year. Susan Jarvis of Capital News observed it was, "at the same time intensely personal and universally relevant. The songs — all Amber originals — are catchy, powerful and full of feeling."{{cite web | url=http://www.capitalnews.com.au/editorial.asp?editorial_id=1676 | title=Feature Album – When It All Comes Down | last=Jarvis | first=Susan | website=Capital News | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20091007212304/http://www.capitalnews.com.au/editorial.asp?editorial_id=1676 | archive-date=7 October 2009 | access-date=28 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
In 2010 she won "Female Vocalist of the Year" at the Victorian National Country Music Awards (sponsored by the Whittlesea Country Music Festival),{{cite web | url=http://www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au/Awards.html | title=Victorian & National Country Music Awards | publisher=Whittlesea Country Music Festival | year=2011 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110218075011/http://www.whittleseacountrymusicfestival.com.au/Awards.html | archive-date=18 February 2011 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and was nominated for "Best Independent Country Album" at the Independent Country Music Awards (sponsored by the Mildura Country Music Festival).{{cite web | url=http://www.milduracountrymusic.com.au/indexce5b.html | title=2010 The Southern Stars – The Australian Independent Country Music Awards | publisher=Mildura Country Music Festival | year=2010 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20101025231448/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/56163/20101022-1342/www.milduracountrymusic.com.au/indexce5b.html | archive-date=25 October 2010 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} At the 2010 CMAA, When It All Comes Down was nominated for three categories.{{cite web |url=http://abccountry.net.au/news/amber-lawrence-on-the-road |title=Amber Lawrence on the Road |publisher=ABC Country. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)) |date=22 February 2010 |access-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210010047/http://abccountry.net.au/news/amber-lawrence-on-the-road |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
=2012–2015: ''3'' and ''Superheroes''=
The simply named 3, her third studio album, was released in January 2012 via Core Music/Sony Music Entertainment,{{Citation | author1=Lawrence, Amber | author2=Harvey, Adam | author-link2=Adam Harvey | author3=Whitehead, Axle | author-link=Axle Whitehead | author4=McCormack, Rod | author-link4=Rod McCormack | title=3 | year=2012 | publisher=Core Music: Distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Australia | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/163809589 | access-date=29 December 2021 }} which peaked in the ARIA Albums top 50 and reached No. 4 on the Country Albums chart.{{cite journal | date=30 January 2012 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120315130016/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20120316-0000/Issue1144.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 30th January 2012 ~ Issue #1144 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1144 | pages=2, 5, 7, 12, 15, 20–21 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1144.pdf | archive-date=15 March 2012 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Its second single, "The Man Across the Street", relates to the experiences of her neighbour, Bill and other Vietnam Veterans. On 5 March, 3, was named Album of the Week at 98.9 FM, with their reviewer explaining, "its mixture of upbeat optimism, personal happiness and resilience along with some references to deeper issues including courage in the face of hardship, is another step upward on a sharply-angled career path that has seen [her] delight audiences all over the country."{{cite web | url=http://www.989fm.com.au/news/album-of-the-week-amber-lawrence/ | title=Album of the Week : Amber Lawrence | 98.9 FM For The Best Country | publisher=98.9 FM | date=5 March 2012 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20120419073916/http://www.989fm.com.au/news/album-of-the-week-amber-lawrence/ | archive-date=19 April 2012 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In both 2012 and 2013, Lawrence was again nominated for CMAA's "Female Artist of the Year".{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/01/22/3674067.htm |title=Could it be gold for Amber Lawrence? |author=Jennifer Ingall |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=22 January 2013 |accessdate=24 April 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://abccountry.net.au/news/41st-cmaa-award-finalists-announced |title=41st CMAA Award Finalists Announced |publisher=ABC Country |date=13 November 2012 |accessdate=24 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304100021/http://abccountry.net.au/news/41st-cmaa-award-finalists-announced |archive-date=4 March 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} In 2014, Lawrence was nominated for "Female Artist of the Year" at the Australian Club Entertainment Awards.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}
In September 2014, Lawrence released her fourth studio album, Superheroes. It also reached the ARIA top 50, while debuting at No. 3 on the Country Albums chart.{{cite journal | date=29 September 2014 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20140930044703/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20140930-1447/Issue1283.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 29th September 2014 ~ Issue #1283 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1283 | pages=2, 5, 7, 13, 16, 22 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1283.pdf | archive-date=30 September 2014 | access-date=29 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The CD's artwork includes a photo of her parents in their surfing era at Maroubra Beach, where they met. Dave Dawson of Nu Country observes that the album has her, "reeling from a relationship break-up and depression, sings of being her own superhero in the title track, name checking Wonder Woman, Spider Man and Iron Man." In 2015, Lawrence was awarded the CMAA's Golden Guitar trophy for Best Female Artist of the Year,{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116051258/https://www.country.com.au/awards/golden-guitar-award-winners | url=https://www.country.com.au/awards/golden-guitar-award-winners | title=Golden Guitar Award Winners (1973–2021) | publisher=Country Music Association of Australia | archive-date=16 November 2021 | year=2021 | access-date=29 December 2021 }} the Australian Bush Laureate Award for Contemporary Song Lyric of the Year{{cite web |url=http://www.bushlaureate.com.au/winners.html |title=Australian Bush Laureate Awards 2015 winners |publisher=Australian Bush Laureate Awards |accessdate=23 April 2015}} and was nominated for Heritage Song of the Year, both for "The Lifesaver".{{cite web |url=http://www.tcmf.com.au/2015-Golden-Guitar-Finalists!/ |title=2015 Golden Guitar Finalists! |publisher=Toyota Country Music Festival: Tamworth 2015 |date=17 November 2014 |accessdate=23 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142530/http://www.tcmf.com.au/2015-Golden-Guitar-Finalists!/ |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead }} The song details her family's response to Brian's stroke in 1996.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/city-east/country-singer-amber-lawrence-to-walk-in-stride-for-stroke-at-south-maroubra-in-honour-of-her-father/story-fngr8h22-1227129848495 |title=Country singer Amber Lawrence to walk in Stride for Stroke at South Maroubra in honour of her father |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=21 November 2014 |accessdate=23 April 2015}} She was also named CMC Music Video Channel's Female Oz Artist of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2015/03/13/fans-dub-adam-brand-australian-country-artist-of-the-year/ |title=Fans Dub Adam Brand Australian Country Artist of the Year |publisher=themusic.com |date=13 March 2015 |accessdate=23 April 2015}}
=2016–2018: ''The Kid's Gone Country'', ''Happy Ever After'' and ''Our Backyard''=
In April 2016, Lawrence released her fifth studio album, The Kid's Gone Country, her first children's albums. This was followed in September 2016 with her sixth,
Happy Ever After, which reached the ARIA top 50 and Country Albums No. 6.{{cite journal | date=10 October 2016 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20161010130041/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20161011-0000/issue1389.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 10th October 2016 ~ Issue #1389 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1389 | pages=2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 22 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1389.pdf | archive-date=10 October 2016 | access-date=30 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Sunburnt Country Music{{'}}s Sophie Hamley noticed that "[it's] full of well-crafted country pop that will delight ... she writes and sings from an authentic place, and she is unabashed about showing sentiment and emotion. You get the sense that in conversation she wouldn't be one for small talk – she would want to get right to the heart of a matter."{{cite web | url=https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/2016/10/18/album-review-happy-ever-after-by-amber-lawrence/?shared=email&msg=fail | title=Album review: Happy Ever After by Amber Lawrence | last=Hamley | first=Sophie | website=Sunburnt Country Music | date=18 October 2016 | via=National Library of Australia | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20210615024240/https://sunburntcountrymusic.com/2016/10/18/album-review-happy-ever-after-by-amber-lawrence/?shared=email&msg=fail | archive-date=15 June 2021 | access-date=31 December 2021 | url-status=live }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Her collaboration with fellow Australian country artist Travis Collins, the seven-track Our Backyard EP, was released in August 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/amber-lawrence-mn0001434685/biography |title=Amber Lawrence: Biography, Songs & Albums |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=28 December 2021 }} It peaked at No. 40 on the ARIA Albums chart and No. 2 on the Country Albums chart.{{cite journal | date=14 August 2017 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20161010130041/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20161011-0000/issue1389.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 14th August 2017 ~ Issue #1433 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1433 | pages=2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 22 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1433.pdf | archive-date=10 October 2016 | access-date=31 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The title track was co-written by Lawrence, Collins and Matt Scullion.{{cite web | publisher=APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) | title='Our Backyard' at APRA search engine | url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Our%20Backyard&writer=&performer=Lawrence | accessdate=31 December 2021 }} The EP was produced by Matt Fell. Jeremy Sollars of Southern Free Times found it, "Brimming with classics that tell quintessentially Australian stories, the music and lyrics ... reflect the true Australian experience across life, love and friendship." At the 2018 CMAA she won three Golden Guitar trophies: Vocal Collaboration of the Year (shared with Collins), Song of the Year (shared with Collins and Scullion) and Single of the Year (shared with Collins), all for "Our Backyard".
In November 2017, Lawrence released her second children's album, Aussie Aussie Christmas.{{cite journal | date=27 November 2017 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20171127130210/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20171128-0002/Issue1448.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 27th November 2017 ~ Issue #1448 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1448 | pages=8, 22 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1448.pdf | archive-date=27 November 2017 | access-date=31 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
=2019–present: ''Spark'' and ''Living for the Highlights''=
In June 2019, Lawrence's released her eighth studio album, Spark, which peaked at No. 13 on the ARIA Albums chart and No. 1 on the Country Albums chart.{{cite journal | date=24 June 2019 | archive-url=http://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20190625140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20190626-0000/Issue1529.pdf | title=Week Commencing ~ 24th June 2019 ~ Issue #1529 | last=Wallace | first=Ian | journal=The ARIA Report | publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) | issue=1529 | pages=2, 5, 7, 10, 13, 16, 22 | url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/documents/issue1529.pdf | archive-date=25 June 2019 | access-date=31 December 2021 | url-status=dead }}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} It was produced by Stuart Stuart.{{Citation | author1=Lawrence, Amber | title=Spark | year=2019 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/236395021 | access-date=31 December 2021 }}
In July 2022, Lawrence released her tenth studio album, Living for the Highlights, which peaked at number 5 on the ARIA Charts. Living for the Highlights received an ARIA nomination for Best Country Album in 2022.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of studio albums, with Australian chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1" style="width:5em;"| Peak chart |
| scope="col" style="text-align:center;"|{{small|AUS}} Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
|
|---|
| scope="row" | The Mile
|
| — |
| scope="row" | When It All Comes Down
|
| — |
| scope="row" | 3
|
| 41 |
| scope="row" | Superheroes
|
| 43 |
| scope="row" | The Kid's Gone Country
|
| 88 |
| scope="row" | Happy Ever After
|
| 44 |
| scope="row" | Aussie Aussie Christmas (Re-released in 2023 as A Very Aussie Aussie Christmas) |
| — |
| scope="row" | Spark
|
| 13 |
| scope="row" | The Kid's Gone Country II: Fun for All the Family
|
| 71 |
| scope="row" | Living for the Highlights
|
| 5 |
=Live albums=
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of EPs, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:18em;"| EP details ! scope="col" colspan="2" style="width:5em;"| Peak chart |
| scope="col" style="text-align:center;"|{{small|AUS}} ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;"|{{small|AUS |
|---|
| scope="row" | I've Got the Blues
|
| 84 || — |
| scope="row" | Our Backyard {{small|(with Travis Collins)}}
|
| 40 || 2 |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Video |
|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2006
! scope="row"| "The Lonely Road" |
| scope="row"| "I've Got the Blues" |
| rowspan="2"| 2008
! scope="row"| "Good Girls" |
| scope="row"| "The Mile" |
| rowspan="2"| 2009
! scope="row"| "Don't Do Lonely Well" |
| scope="row"| "Wrecking Ball" |
| 2010
! scope="row"| "Women Like Me Don't Like Girls Like You" |
| rowspan="2"| 2011
! scope="row"| "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" |
| scope="row"| "Everybody's a Mess" |
| rowspan="2"| 2012
! scope="row"| "The Man Across the Street" |
| scope="row"| "Try" |
| rowspan="2"| 2014
! scope="row"| "Superhero" |
| scope="row"| "The Lifesaver" |
| rowspan="2"| 2015
! scope="row"| "I Will Love You" |
| scope="row"| "Honeysuckle" |
| rowspan="5"| 2016
! scope="row"| "My Grandma" |
| scope="row"| "The Kid's Gone Country" |
| scope="row"| "My Big Mack Truck" |
| scope="row"| "Happy Ever After" |
| scope="row"| "Cheers to the Girls" |
| rowspan="3"| 2017
! scope="row"| "The Lucky One" |
| scope="row"| "Our Backyard" |
| scope="row"| "The Kid's Gone Christmas" |
| rowspan="4"| 2019
! scope="row"| "Outrageous" |
| scope="row"| "Hey" |
| scope="row"| "Heart" |
| scope="row"| "Hell to Hallelujah" |
| rowspan="12"| 2020
! scope="row"| "I'm Bored" |
| scope="row"| "True Blue" (with Aleyce Simmonds, Kirsty Lee Akers & Dianna Corcoran) |
| scope="row"| "We Live in a Zoo" |
| scope="row"| "Raindance" |
| scope="row"| "Boot Scoot" |
| scope="row"| "Growing in my Garden" |
| scope="row"| "T-Shirt Weather" |
| scope="row"| "Sing-Along" |
| scope="row"| "Giddy Up" |
| scope="row"| "Down On the Farm" |
| scope="row"| "In My Belly" |
| scope="row"| "100 Year Handshake" |
| rowspan="3"| 2021
! scope="row"| "I Am Woman" (with Catherine Britt) |
| scope="row"| "Bring it Back" |
| scope="row"| "I'm Coming Home" |
| rowspan="2"| 2022
! scope="row"| "Fill It Up" |
| scope="row"| "Making Up for Lost Wine" |
Awards and nominations
=AIR Awards=
The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2009
| The Mile
| rowspan="3"| Best Independent Country Album
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2010
| When It All Comes Down
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2015
| Superheroes
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2021
| Kids Gone Country - Fun for All the Family
| Best Independent Children's Album or EP
| {{nom}}
| {{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/2021-air-awards-nominees-and-indie-con-australia-conference-announced/ivyWnJ-egYA/02-06-21/ |title=Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced |work=The Music |date=2 June 2021 |access-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602000704/https://themusic.com.au/news/2021-air-awards-nominees-and-indie-con-australia-conference-announced/ivyWnJ-egYA/02-06-21/ |archive-date=2 June 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=2021 AIR Awards Winners |url=https://scenestr.com.au/music/2021-air-awards-winners-20210805 |website=Scenstr.com.au |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=6 August 2021}}
|-
| 2024
| A Very Aussie Aussie Christmas
| Best Independent Children's Album or EP
| {{nom}}
| {{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/industry/2024-air-awards-nominees-genesis-owusu-cub-sport-rvg-teen-jesus-more/3f1j8fDz8vU/14-05-24|title=2024 AIR Awards Nominees: Genesis Owusu, Cub Sport, RVG, Teen Jesus & More| website= The Music|date=14 May 2024|access-date=16 May 2024}}
|}
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
{{Awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2021|| The Kid's Gone Country 2: Fun for All the Family || Best Children's Album || {{nom}}
| {{cite web |url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |title=ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge |work=The Music Network |date=20 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |author=Kelly, Vivienne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020000045/https://themusicnetwork.com/2021-aria-awards-nominees/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=live}}
|-
| 2022 || Living for the Highlights || Best Country Album || {{nominated}} || {{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2022-aria-awards-nominees/|title=Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)|website=The Music Network|date=12 October 2022|access-date=12 October 2022|author=Lars Brandle}}
|-
{{end}}
=Country Music Awards of Australia=
The Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) (also known as the Golden Guitar Awards) is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They have been held annually since 1973.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-23/golden-guitars-awards-fanny-lumsden-sweeps-awards-in-tamworth/13081696|title=Fanny Lumsden wins five Golden Guitar Awards despite cancelled Tamworth Country Music Festival|publisher=ABC|date=23 January 2021|access-date=24 January 2021}}
{{awards table}} (wins only)
|-
| 2015
| Amber Lawrence
| Female Artist of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2018
| rowspan="3"| "Our Backyard" (Travis Collins & Amber Lawrence)
| Vocal Collaboration of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| APRA AMCOS Song of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Single of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| 2021
| "True Blue" (Amber Lawrence, Aleyce Simmonds, Kirsty Lee Akers and Dianna Corcoran)
| Vocal Collaboration of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
| Amber Lawrence
| Female Vocalist of the Year
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.amberlawrence.com.au/ }}
- [http://realcountry.podomatic.com/entry/2013-09-13T17_59_47-07_00 Amber Lawrence Interview September 2013] on Ben Sorensen's REAL Country
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Amber}}
Category:Australian country singers
Category:Australian women country singers
Category:Australian guitarists
Category:Australian women guitarists
Category:Musicians from New South Wales