Ottawa, Ontario –December 9, 2008 – It all culminates this Friday, December 12th as Amanda Rheaume competes against 4 other bands for a final grand prize of $250,000 in talent development with the LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot. This $250,000 is just what she needs to get her career on track for the big time.

She’s been working and supporting herself full time as a musician since 2007 but it all started at Open Mic at the Elbow Room in 2000 for this self-made musician. By 2003 she released her CD “Unravelling”, followed by “Even When in “2005” and her most recent “If You Never Live” in 2007.

Rheaume has opened for The Trews, Sloan, Ani Difranco, The Tea Party, Jeff Martin, Ladytron, Ludcinda Williams. She had the opportunity to sing onstage at Lilith Fair in Toronto in 1999 with Sarah MachLachlan, The Dixie Chicks, The Indigo Girls and Sheryl Crow.

This Friday, December 12th is a culmination of all that hard work and dedication. When asked what her dream gig would be she replies “A full club of 500 of my fans, all packed up like sardines to the front of the stage. Having our own sound and lighting crew, who KNOWS our set. We’d play all night long, dripping with sweat, giving it our all and rock the hell out of the venue.” It sounds as if that dream is coming true.

About Amanda Rheaume
Although she has only been a full time musician since 2007, her resume reads as a seasoned performer having opened for The Trews, Sloan, Ani Difranco, The Tea Party, Jeff Martin, Ladytron, Ludcinda Williams. She had the opportunity to sing onstage at Lilith Fair in Toronto in 1999 with Sarah MachLachlan, The Dixie Chicks, The Indigo Girls and Sheryl Crow.
For more information and full bio please visit http://www.amandarheaume.com.

Dianne Douglas
613-795-5188

Interview Contact: Amanda Rheaume
613 327 7882
contact@amanadarheaume.com
www.amandarheaume.com

YET ANOTHER SHOW TO WARM UP!
SUN DEC 7th SLACKS IN TORONTO!

That’s right people! ANOTHER show to prepare! You must think I am crazy! I just really feel like the more stage time a band has the tighter and better they become. You can practice your set at length in a rehearsal room, but getting out there in front of people is THE REAL DEAL! Feels much different than a room with just you and the band!

I have really been working on connecting with myself and the audience onstage, and the only way to truly work on that is to play live!

Here is a pic of our safely packed van on the ride down to Toronto this past Sunday. Then a small video clip so you can see more!

When we were on the 401 we randomnly passed our good friends THE JOYS. They are a kick-ass band from London, Ontario. We did a quick stop on the 401 to say hi! Meet Sarah Smith…

More to come tomorrow!

xo A
amanda@amandarheaume.com

SECRET SHOW @ GREENFIELDS FRI DEC 5

This past Friday the band and I played a secret show at Greenfields Pub in Barrhaven. I wanted to get all of us onstage to practice our new songs another time so that we felt THAT much more confident and secure this coming Friday! Some of the songs we will be showcasing we’ve have only known and played for one month, so I wanted to make sure we were good and tight!

The show went pretty much flawless, other than my bra actually came fully undone at the back in the third song and I had to focus on not letting “the ladies” fall out for the rest of the set!!!! That was a first!

Jeff, Janet and Dave played amazingly and we were able to get out some pre-show jitters!

The good people of Greenfields loved our set and wished us all good luck at The Big Money Shot!

I’ve posted a small video of load in and shot of the stage for you to see!

xo A
amanda@amandarheaume.com

A competition for $250,000 in talent development proves to be a comment on friendship and the close knit community of Ottawa Musicians.

Ottawa, Ontario –December 3, 2008 – Amanda Rheaume has been on a wild ride these past few months as she prepares to compete 4 other bands for a final grand prize of $250,000 in talent development with the LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot. The big night is December 12^th, and the road to getting there is proving the Ottawa music scene is more about comradery than cut throat.

Amanda discloses that Tara Holloway, another competitor, is one of her best friends. Upon further questioning Rheaume also reveals that, in fact, she knows almost everyone in the competition. “We’ve all played shows together and see each other quite often” says Rheaume. “While there might be a little jealousy or disappointment amongst competitors, in the end, everyone remains friends”. Watching someone you know well and work with make it over you must surely be character building for any up and coming musician.

When asked to comment on the best and worst experiences of the competition, Rheaume states, “Well, obviously the best part is the money and being able to further your career with the financial help. You have to spend a lot of time and money on your career and artistry. Having help from this competition has made it possible for me to do things I never could before”. And the worst? Rheaume replies, “Not getting a sound check. Having to set up all our between acts in 12 minutes then get out onstage and rock out.”

Rheaume also notes that the Ottawa music scene provides some amazing talent for those who get out to the shows. She feels the LiVE 88.5 Big Money Shot is the cream of the crop when it comes to Ottawa bands. “Come out on Friday December 12^th and you will get a great ear and eye full of amazing local talent”.

About Amanda Rheaume

Although she has only been a full time musician since 2007, her resume reads as a seasoned performer having opened for The Trews, Sloan, Ani Difranco, The Tea Party, Jeff Martin, Ladytron, Ludcinda Williams. She had the opportunity to sing onstage at Lilith Fair in Toronto in 1999 with Sarah MachLachlan, The Dixie Chicks, The Indigo Girls and Sheryl Crow.
For more information and full bio please visit http://www.amandarheaume.com.

Interview Contact: Amanda Rheaume

613 327 7882

contact@amanadarheaume.com

www.amandarheaume.com

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Your attendance and support, your vocal chords and hands and arms ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE! The more cheering and screaming and clapping and fist pumping there is for the band and I the better our chances, and the more fun the show will be

Thank you SO much for your relentless support so far, this is hands down our biggest and most important show to date, hope to see you all there!

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bigMoneyShotSoloWebsmaller.jpg

The band and I just rolled in from Deep River Ontario! We played a show at The Bears Den last night. It gave us a great chance to try out our new set, work out some of the kinks and help ease our nerves!

Two videos this week. We rehearsed on Saturday before our gig. The first video is Jeff practicing his stellar moves. Keep an eye out for these on December 12th.

Second video is a short clip of us in Deep River setting up and getting going!

Let the countdown begin…T minus 11 days! WOOOO!

xo A
amanda@amandarheaume.com

Amanda Rheaume competes in final round of the LiVE 88.5 “Big Money Shot” for her chance to win $250,000 in talent development.

Ottawa, Ontario  – November 25, 2008 –December 12^th at 8pm is when it all begins.  Amanda Rheaume is competing against 4 other local bands for the chance at $250,000.  Having already won $40,000 in Round 1 of Ottawa’s “Big Money Shot” talent showdown, Amanda is rapidly solidifying her position in rising to the front of the pack of up and coming female artists in Canada.

It all began at Open Mic at the Elbow Room in 2000 for this self-made musician.  By 2003 she released her CD “Unravelling”, followed by “Even When in “2005” and her most recent “If You Never Live” in 2007.  She started to really focus on her music career in 2006 and became a full time musician in 2007. 

Although she has only been a full time musician since 2007, her resume reads as a somewhat seasoned performer having opened for The Trews, Sloan, Ani Difranco, The Tea Party, Jeff Martin, Ladytron, Ludcinda Williams. She had the opportunity to sing onstage at Lilith Fair in Toronto in 1999 with Sarah MachLachlan, The Dixie Chicks, The Indigo Girls and Sheryl Crow.

Rheaume is working hard for this huge opportunity to possibly walk away with $250,000 on December 12^th, a nice shot in the arm for her already heightening career.  Although you may have seen her around town, plan to see her in the bigger music circle soon.  This girl is going places.

About Amanda Rheaume
“Rheaume has an undeniably powerful voice that fits perfectly with her self-written material, or any other song she chooses to perform. Like a light switch, Rheaume can go from a bright comforting harmony to a dark hard edge at the crowd’s request.” – Capital Xtra

For more information and full bio please visit http://www.amandarheaume.com.

Interview Contact: Amanda Rheaume

613 327 7882

contact@amanadarheaume.com

www.amandarheaume.com 

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WEEK #4 MON NOV 24TH 2008

(Sigh) The band and I rehearsed 24 hours this past weekend!!! I rented Arts Court Studio space, set up a huge PA and we practiced practiced practiced and PRACTICED our new set.

I am EXHAUSTED! My body is sore, my voice is tired…but it was all worth it! We have our set worked out, Half old songs and half new songs! I am so excited to show off this new set as we are trying lots of different things!

Janet, Jeff and Dave worked SO hard this weekend and I am truly grateful for their dedication and commitment and excitement for this project. It is their energy that fuels me!

Here are some behind the scenes video footage of the band and I after our hard weekend….

I had a hard time deciding whether to post a video of us doing a new song…but I’d like to wait and unveil them all to our friends/family/fans on Friday December 12th!

xo A
amanda@amandarheaume.com

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WEEK #3 MON NOV 17TH 2008

Photoshoot with BH Photography
Downtown Ottawa, Sparks St., -5C

Two weekends ago the band and I did a photoshoot with Brian from BH Photography.
We thought it’d be different if we took some shots outside…but…what we didn’t anticipate was freezing our tits off!

If you look really closely you can see goosebumps

The guitar I am holding is my brand new guitar, sponsored by Elite Guitars Canada! Check them out!

Hair by Chrystal Lotz.

Counting down the days till December 12th!

xo A
amanda@amandarheaume.com

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WEEK #2 MON NOV 10TH 2008

Rehearsal Sunday November 9/08

NEW SONG “HALO” + PICS

Week 2! Thought I’d post a taste of one of the newest songs, Halo. I ventured to Toronto a few months back for some songwriting sessions and this specific tune is from a session with Brian Byrne, solo artist as well as the lead singer from I Mother Earth.

The chorus of this song reads: A halo needs just to drop a few to be choking you, take what you need, I’m not asking for anything…have you got what you need”.

I was inspired to write this song about the whole idea that sometimes you meet new people and they are very charming and seem great but then you later find out that they are manipulative and just taking from you. All humans give and take from each other it is true, but, this song is about someone who is knowingly stealing your energy and soul from you, and then in turn, you realizing this is what they are doing.

Bit of an angry number

Here’s a taste of the live version that you will hear in December, and a few cute shots from our rehearsal space – Muss Music.

Stay tuned, next week I will be posting a video of our photoshoot, its got quite the twist.

Warmest,

xo A

amanda@amandarheaume.com

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