How can I describe my new recorded music to you, my new friend and visitor, to my website?
I started out in 2009 with my friend and love, Brian, to find songs for this project.
When I ended this project this year all by myself, it, and I ended up in a totally different place from where I started or meant to go.
The songs chosen in the end by myself were chosen by a completely fuller woman than who started it.
My beautiful friend Brian dropped dead in 2010 of a massive heart attack. I would be changed forever.
When someone you love dies, something in you dies as well.
My heart chose these songs. I had no choice really.
When you think about recording an album, it's not normally from a grieving perspective.
But this is where I was in my life as I gathered some of the best songwriters in music city, and beyond, to present me with songs for a broken hearted woman.
Oh I tried to sit down and write my own music, believe me I did. But each time I went to that deep place where songwriters need to go, I quickly had to leave it. The pain of grief was too deep to encounter it. I did not want to go there. I could not go there.
Instead I found other writers who had gone there. I searched for words from others that could possibly help me express my relentless pain.
The songs and their lyrics speak for themselves.
I was born in Ireland. I sing Country Music. I also sing Traditional Irish.
On this new record of mine you will hear brand new country songs, and you will hear old Traditional Irish songs that I grew up with at home in Ireland. These are HEART SONGS.
From my HEALING HEART to yours.
I sincerely hope you enjoy my brand new record "NOT THE SAME ME".
See What the Pros Are Saying about Bernadette's "Not the Same Me!" CD:
Robert K. Oermann, Music Critic and Historian says:
“During the making of her new CD Not the Same Me, this Irish-born singer was devastated by the death of her fiancee, Brian Fitzgerald. The tragedy and her grief inform several of the selections, including this hopeful-heartache lyric. Songwriting contributors include Leslie Satcher, Vince Gill, Al Anderson, Dolly Parton and Jon Randall. As with her other Nashville projects, country sounds mingle with instrumentation echoing her Emerald Isle homeland.”
To read Robert K. Oermann’s bio, click here.
“A Little Bit Of Ireland in Nashville”, is how our next artist has been described. BERNADETTE, originally from Donegal, has been in Music City for the last twenty years, and has rubbed shoulders with many of Music City’s stars. With two highly rated albums to her credit, she has released her third album, “Not The Same Me”, and I have to say, it’s her best yet.
Her previous albums have been totally Country, but this album does have more of a “homeland” feel to it.
As an emigrant herself, she has featured a couple of songs of early emigrants, like “Isle Of Hope” and “New York Harbour”, written by Scotsman John McKenna. She also features “Camden County Poor”, John Farry’s “Dear Ireland” and Ron Hynes’ “Sonny”, whilst Maura O’Connell joins her on “Rose Of Allendale”.
But this isn’t just an Irish album. Bernadette has some good Country songs on here too. And they’re not well known covers. She starts off with “Love With A Broken Heart”, a lovely ballad, which is one of Bernadette’s own particular favourites. I particularly liked the original song, “I Know I Love You”, which sounded so like a Don Williams song to me. She has plans to release this song, as a single and video. Her version of “Tramp On The Street” is wonderful, and gospel influenced “In The Shadows Of Your Wings” is such a strong song.
But the track that really showed such thought and originality was Dolly’s “Nickels & Dimes”, It’s quite a poppy upbeat number, but she manages to slip in a catchy little Irish fiddle jig in the middle. It’s really different, and works really well.
With 16 tracks, it’s a really good value for money. I really enjoyed this album. Bernadette at her best.”
George Hamilton V, Viva NashVegas Radio Show Nashville, Tennessee says:
“My dad George Hamilton IV and I have spent a lot of time touring Europe and particularly Ireland and the UK and Bernadette epitomizes the heart and soul of an Irish songstress. She combines strong throaty vocals, a winning personality and infectious Irish brogue. She’s the whole package!”
Charlie Monk, Hall of fame DJ says:
“Bernadette’s album, “Bernadette…Not The Same Me.” is a skillfully crafted project with talented vocals and instrumentation. I’m excited to see her career continue to grow.”
See What the Pros Are Saying about Bernadette's "Getting It Right!" CD:
Renee Grant Williams, is a voice coach to some of our finest major stars, including Bernadette's friend, Keith Urban. Here is what this great
vocal coach said about Bernadette's voice and music after attending one of
her shows at The Bluebird Cafe:
"Bernadette's rich, full voice transports you
to a land where the grass is green and the beer is warm, so if you're
looking for a low-budget trip to Ireland, just pop in her new CD, "Getting
it Right" and you're already there!"
"Nashville needs Bernadette and her unique voice/style/stage presence to
awaken something new In our senses, especially when she sings her songs from
Ireland".
