Annie McQueen was raised in the steel city of Sheffield in the North of England. Her childhood was heavily influenced by Country, Celtic and Folk Music as both parents are accomplished Musicians; often playing in and around Yorkshire at various venues including local bars, pubs and jam sessions in the country. "They were my inspiration" she remembers fondly. "There were a group of them who always used to play the same Irish/Folk bars in Sheffield and I used to beg my Mum and Dad to go along, after listening them practising at home" It was these performances which lead Annie to sing along with her parents and sisters, often being asked to perform solo accapella with her sisters providing beautiful, melancholic harmonies. This was the start of the young, 14 year old captivating vocalist cutting her chops on the live circuit, singing with professional musicians, without realizing the effect and draw she had on the general public. "people always used to ask me to sing...but I was very unsure, although once I started singing I knew I was OK."
After realizing Music was where her heart was, first stop was London, where she sang her way through University performing live and session singing for many different producers. While under management, Annie travelled to New York to record the duet with World Music Artist Salif Keita, and later returned to England to perform with him at The Royal Festival Hall, London to rave reviews. After her experiences recording in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx, Annie's return to London came with a longing to return to the US. "Everyone was so exciting to work with, really positive people/artists making their future happen."
The next few years were spent on the live circuit in and around London, to great critical acclaim. "I won some competitions, sang in covers bands and did lots of session work but was never really 100% happy with what I was acheiving. I was obviously writting my own material that whole time, but no-one was interested in Female Singer/Songwriters at the time.....literally the only female solo artits we had at the time were Geri Halliwell from the Spice Girls and Dina Carroll!! Natasha BEddingfield was just beginning to break through, and Amy Winehouse, but it was so difficult to break through"
So here we are in Los Angeles where the songbird is taking off. "I was in Nashville last year recording lead vocals on a studio album, and I honestly felt like I had 'come home'. Musically, I really felt like I belonged. The musicians I worked with were phenomenal; Grammy winning engineers aswell. I made the most of it and plan to go back in 2010."
What else is on the adgenda for 2010? "An album of Country/Folk from the heart. My heart!"