Kylie Adams-Collier
Biography
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Kylie Adams-Collier has recorded six albums throughout her career including two Snow Leopards albums on Waterfront Records and four solo albums: "Bellingen Says Goodnight" produced by Brendan Gallagher, "Sweet Dreams 'til Morning" produced by Gary Brown, "Little Stone" produced by Lindsay Waddington on Kross Kut Records and her most recent album "Light as a Feather" produced by Michael Carpenter.
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She is a multi-award-winning songwriter who has been writing and performing for over thirty years.
Kylie is a storyteller inspired by the people she meets, family history and the great Australian landscape.
​​Her heartfelt song "Montevideo Maru 1942" is a standout tribute to the 1053 prisoners of war who died under
friendly fire on the 1st of July 1942.
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Growing up in the small rural town of Bellingen, Kylie's music and family history has led her to meet the President of Ireland,
Dr Michael Higgins, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.
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​Kylie has performed at many regional festivals and has graced the stage of the Tamworth Town Hall and Tamworth Capitol Theatre during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. She's broadcasted nationally as a weekly radio presenter and producer with Good Morning Country including the Golden Guitars live across Australia with Kevin Walsh.​
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Kylie's had eight top 10 hits including two singles that made it to number 2 nationally including 'Montevideo Maru 1942' & 'Waiting for Heaven to Rain.'
Her recording of Hank Williams 'I Can't Help it if I'm Still in Love With You' reached number 5 on the International Mainstream Charts.​ Kylie's endearing song about being brave" Fearless Like a Magpie" reached number 5 on the International Mainstream Charts.​ Kylie's original music is regularly featured on Australian radio playlists as well as international playlists including England, New Zealand, America, France, Poland, Germany, Netherlands and many more.
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​All of Kylie's recorded music is available on Bandcamp.
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Kylie was born in Sydney in 1968 and grew up in Fernmount, near Bellingen in northern NSW.
Her musical beginnings were influenced by her mother Gilly Adams's love of music.
​​Gill Adams was one of the first radio test broadcasters of 2BBBfm Bellingen and hosted Gills Jazz for over twenty-five years.
Kylie's mother enjoyed lots of styles of music and often hosted musical parties with the alternate new arrivals of Bellingen.
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Kylie and her little sister attended colourful parties in local valley halls with their mother, experiencing the fun of live music on a very organic level. Kylie began experimenting with creating melodies on her mother's piano at the age of five.
​Leaving home in the late eighties to study art, Kylie discovered the raging bars of inner western Sydney and it wasn't long before she took to the stage with the promise of free beer at the Lansdowne Hotel.
​It was then that she began to write songs and her sister Jenny Adams gave her an acoustic guitar with 2 cent pieces for tuning pegs. Jenny and Kylie worked as the Adams Sisters for a short time in the early nineties.
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​For the next thirty years Kylie dabbled in various musical styles working in many different line ups around Sydney and her hometown of Bellingen plus many solo tours on regional country music festivals.
​She has worked with many producers over the years and continues to write and record music.
A member of the Australian Performing Rights Association, Australian Songwriters Association, Tamworth Songwriters Association and the Country Music Association of Australia, Kylie's original music has won many awards and receives alot of radio airplay around the world.
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Now in her mid fifties, Kylie has many more songs to write and hopes that one day some songs will be published and live on far beyond her lifetime.​ In a world of streaming and a flooded market, you never know what 's around the corner.
Support Kylie's songwriting by buying her music.
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​Highlights
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Singing live at the wireless on JJJfm with the Snow Leopards.
Recording a jingle for ABC radio 's 'This Sporting Life' with Roy & HG.
Performing at the Capitol Theatre during the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Performing at the 75th and 80th Montevideo Maru Anniversary Service at the Australian War Memorial,
Canberra and Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.
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Meeting the president of Ireland Dr Michael Higgins.
Meeting first Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Sir Michael Somare.
Meeting the Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese.
Travelling Australia playing at regional country music festivals.
Performing on Chad Morgans' 70th Anniversary show in Tamworth.
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Festivals​
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Christmas in Pyrmont Festival
Ultimo Pyrmont Festival
Bellingen Jazz Festival
Coffs Harbour Food & Wine Fair
Bouldy Bush Ballad Bash Festival: Bouldercomb.
Kickin' Country: Commercial Club: Albury.
People's Day- Australia's Day: Urunga NSW.
Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Kempton Festival.
Ariah Park Mary Gilmore Festival.
Bedgerabong Country Music Campout.
Yellowbelly Country Music Festival.
Port Stephens Toyota Bluewater Country Music Festival
Rainbow on The Plains Festival: Hay.
Gidgee Coal Bush Ballad Awards Festival: Pittsworth.
Clarence Valley Country Muster
Bungendore Country Music Muster.
Stan Coster Australian memorial Bush Ballad Awards.
Heritage & Bullock Festival-Oatlands
Poley's Hoedown.
Adelaide Fringe Festival.
Longhorn Festival: Deepwater.
Tamworth Hats off to Country Music Festival.
ADDA-Long Day Music Bash.
Full list of gigs on gig page.
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​​Producers
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1991- 2021- released and unreleased recordings.
Greg Atkinson, John Hresc and Tim Whitten - Studios 301 -Sydney.
The Snow Leopards.
Roy & HG- ABC Studios - Sydney- This Sporting Life Jingle.
Dom Phillips - Sydney & Bellingen.
In house producer- Zen Studios - Sydney.
In house producer- Nambucca Studios.
Max Thrower- 2BBBfm - Bellingen.
Steve Rackley - Sydney.
Tony Polson- Bart Island Studios - Bellingen.
Greg Morrow- Sydney.
Brendan Gallagher at Gig Piglet Studios,
Pavilion Studios and Studio East - Sydney.
John Cobbin- Moonlight Studios - Sydney.
Ryan Miller- Housefox Studios - Sydney.
Guy Delandro - Bellingen.
Andrew Goodman Jones - Radio Northern Beaches
Gary Brown- Propaganda Studios- Sydney.
Lindsay Waddington- Kross Kut Records - Gold Coast -Queensland
Michael Carpenter- Love HZ Studios - Sydney.​​​​​​​​​​
Michael Carpenter-The House Studio.
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Bands
1988- The Willows.
Paul Hayward: bass
Greg Morrow: guitar
Peter Kelly: drums
Bruce Begley: guitar
Kylie Adams: vocals
Tony: harmonica.
Kylie joined the Willows in 1988 and played at a few inner western Sydney pubs including the iconic Sandringham Hotel.
Covering country music classics, Kylie' first foray into singing on the stage was a good way to have a bit of fun with her mates and drink alot of beer.
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1991-The Snow Leopards.
Two albums- Self Titled & Sweet Sweet Dreams on Waterfront Records.
Bruce Begley: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, backing vocals
Paul Nagle: acoustic guitar,
slide guitar,
Peter Kelly: drums
Andrew Ingram: bass
James Lockett: piano & organ
Greg Atkinson: vocals
Lisa Partington: vocals
Andrea Croft: vocals
Kylee ( Kylie) Adams: vocals.
After briefly working with Bruce Begley (The Honeys) in The Willows, Bruce invited Kylie to join his new band the 'Snow Leopards' with Andrea Croft (The Honeys), Greg Atkinson (Big Heavy Stuff), Lisa Partington
(The Rosemaries),Peter Kelly (Disneyfist), Peter Kelly (Vanilla Chainsaws), James Lockett, Paul Nagel and Andrew Ingram.
The Snow Leopards recorded two albums on Waterfront Records which lead to a national tour, JJJfm playlisting and a live at the wireless concert plus videos on ABC’s Rage TV.
The Snow Leopards got into the Top 10 Alternative ARIA charts and played regularly at venues.
The Snow Leopards were also included in the Roo Art Young Blood Compilation CD. This lead to touring with The Fauves, The Clouds, The Welcome Mat and many more popular independent bands of the 90's.
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1994- Deep South.
Dom Phillips: guitar
Tony Cooper: drums
Mark Cunningham: bass
Kylie Adams: vocals.
A fun blues and roots band that played around inner western Sydney.
Deep South supported established acts including Canned Heat and Lonesome Boogie.
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1995 -The Appollonians.
Dom Phillips: guitar
Tony Cooper: drums
Mark Cunningham: bass
Kylie Adams: vocals.
The Appollonians was an original country/folk/blues/roots band.
They supported many bands including The Whitlams, Peggy Van Zalm, Richard Clapton, Mental as Anything and many more.
Kylie and Dom recorded demos but didn't release any music.
1998-The Adams Sisters.
Kylie Adams: vocals
Jenny Adams: guitar & vocals
Recording: Not released.
Jenny & Kylie performed their original music at pubs around inner western Sydney.
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1999- Kitty Adams & The Hi Ho Silvers.
Dom Phillips- guitar
John Thorne - drums
Karen Braidwood - guitar
Brad Ross- bass
Kitty Adams (Kylie)
Kitty Adams & the Hi Ho Silvers formed a band in Kylie's hometown in Bellingen and played at various small festivals and markets.
They recorded a self titled Demo EP.
Kylie's self penned song about her father 'Wallpaper Horses' made it into the finals in the Capitol Country Music Association National songwriting competition and was covered by local papers and the channel 7 TV. Kylie travelled to Tamworth and competed, accompanied by Bellingen artist Sandra Clarke on guitar.
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2000- Four Good Reasons.
Kitty Adams (Kylie)-vocals & guitar
Leisa Robinson-vocals & guitar
Sandra Clarke-vocals & guitar
Greg Richardson-bass
'Kitty' continued to write songs, working with other Bellingen artists Sandra Clarke, Leisa Robinson and many more performing at many fundraising gigs, wine fairs and hotels in and around the Bellingen area.
The very popular Cool Creek Cafe, supported 'Kitty' in more ways than one. Annie and Shelley supported Kylie as a waitress where she met numerous touring acts. Sometimes she was a singing waitress on request! Annie booked 'Kitty' as a support act or a headline act and she would fill the venue. This helped 'Kitty' build a strong fan base in her hometown.
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2000-Bellingen Singers, Songwriters and Musicians Society (BSSMS).
The group held popular monthly concerts in town that was recorded by Radio 2bbb’s Max Thrower and broadcasted on the local radio. Neil Hamilton hosted the evening and it was a great networking base for local musicians and a great platform for playing original music. 'Kitty' also worked with local Bellingen Musician Nigel Harrington on a dance track
on his Nagual album. She also teamed up with Luke Rhodes and Nigel Harrington for a special event at the Cool Creek Café to raise money for local businesses affected by floods.
The BSSSMS encouraged local music collaboration.
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2001-Zoobop.
Kitty Adams (Kylie): vocals
Chris Frater-saxophone
Peter Crane-guitar
Greg Richardson-bass,
Lawrence Pastro-drums
Michael Daunt-keyboards.
Zoobop performed at two Bellingen Jazz and Blues Festivals,
Food and Wine Fair, pubs and private functions, Kempsey Art Ball and the Coffs Harbour Food & Wine Fair.
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2004- Kitty & The Alley Cats.
Kitty Adams ( Kylie): vocals & guitar
Roy Payne: guitar & lapsteel
Paul Hayward: bass
Dave Hibbert: drums
Mark Thomas: pedal steel
Special guests: Trucker Bob, Buddy Cartwright, Greg Morrow, Jeff Pope, Dominc O'Donnell and Greg Mitchell..
Recordings: live at the Town & Country Hotel 2004 and an EP. Not released.
Roy Payne from the Whiteliners approached Kylie and suggested starting a country /rockabilly band.
They played country classics of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Linda Ronstadt and recorded an EP of Kylie’s original songs. Kitty and The Alley cats played regularly at inner Western Sydney venues and recorded a live unreleased album at the iconic Town and Country Hotel.
Kitty Adams is a stage name Kylie has used throughout her musical career.​
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Kitty Adams
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The idea was born with country band 'Kitty Adams the Hi Ho Silvers,' in Bellingen with John Thorne on drums, Karen Braidwood on bass, Dom Phillips on guitar and 'Kitty' on vocals. They brought in the new year at the local football ground, played at parties including the infamous "Crazy Day" hosted by the Cool Creek Cafe. Local artist Greg Norton Baker often joined them on harmonica and vocals.
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'Kitty Adams and the Hi Ho Silvers' recorded a demo EP including 'Kitty's' 'Wallpaper Horses' song that made the Capitol Country Music Association national finals in Tamworth. She made the local papers and channel NBN News with Sandra Clarke playing guitar. Sandra accompanied 'Kitty' at the 2001 Tamworth Country Music Festival for the CCMA Awards but the song did not win.
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'Kitty' met many local songwriters through the Bellingen Songwriters and Musicians Society that she helped form around the same time. BSSMS supported local music by hosting a live concert at the Diggers Tavern once a month. It was recorded by Max Thrower and aired on the local 2BBBfm radio station. 'Kitty' went on to play many times at iconic venue 'Cool Creek Cafe' run by Annie and Shelly.
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She not only waitressed there but headlined her own shows and worked in a duo with local songwriter Sandra Clarke.
Kitty supported touring artists and became one of the Cool Creek family for over four years.
They were a massive supporter of Kitty's dreams and a highlight of her music career.
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'Four Good Reasons' with Leisa Robinson, Sandra Clarke and Greg Richardson was another line up 'Kitty' worked with and collaborated in writing original material. They played at local wine fairs and fundraising events. She also worked with Luke Rhodes and Nigel Harrington for a local flood relief concert at the Cool Creek Cafe and recorded backing vocals on Nigel Harrington's 'The Nagual" dance album.
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The Cool Creek Cafe was an important chapter in Bellingen's history. Annie and Shelly's cafe supported artists for many years. They championed female artists and were not only great hosts but great friends to many local artist and touring artists. Shelly cooked and Annie provided the sound. Annie Arnold now runs her business 'Cool Events Bellingen.' She hosts and provides sound for local events and venues including the Never Never Mind Cafe in Dorrigo.
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'Kitty' joined local jazz band 'Zoobop' with Chris Frater leading the band on sax, Peter Crane on guitar, Michael Daunt on keyboards and flute, Greg Richardson on bass and Lawrence Pastro on drums. Zoobop played at the Bellingen Jazz Festival, Kempsey Arts Ball, local halls, clubs and parties and the Coffs Harbour Food & Wine Festival. She worked with the Kitty Adams Trio for the following Bellingen Jazz Festival with Peter Crane on guitar and Greg Richardson on double bass.
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Kitty put her hand up to play at many fundraising events while living in Bellingen including saving an elephant, koalas, the environment, jacaranda trees and refugees. an enormous house concert while living on a farm at Hydes Creek.
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Kitty recorded five original songs for a demo EP entitled 'Mudpies' in 2000.
The songs have never been released.
Kitty & The Alley Cats: 2003.
Kitty Adams ( Kylie): vocals & guitar
Alley Cats:
Roy Payne: guitar & lap steel
Paul Hayward: bass
Dave Hibbert: drums
Mark Thomas: pedal steel
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Special guests: Trucker Bob, Buddy Cartwright, Greg Morrow, Jeff Pope, Greg Mitchell and Dominc O'Donnell.
Recordings: live at the Town & Country Hotel 2004 and an EP. Not released.
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Roy Payne from the Whiteliners approached Kylie and suggested starting a country /rockabilly band.
They played country classics of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Linda Ronstadt and recorded an EP of Kylie’s original songs.
Kitty and The Alley cats played regularly at inner Western Sydney venues and recorded a live unreleased album at the iconic Town and Country Hotel and a four track unreleased demo.
The band had a loyal following and were on their way to Tamworth when their management doubled booked them. Kitty & The Alley Cats disbanded not long after.
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Kitty continued to work under her Kitty Adams stage name and The Kitty Adams Band.