Amber Campbell, nine, is making waves in country music and Daniel O'Donnell inspires her

1 month ago 7

Where does your interest in music come from?

My interest in music comes from both sides of my family. They both love country music and it’s something I have grown up listening to at my grandparents’ houses and with my own parents. I started singing lessons at the age of four and continue to do my exams in singing. I also play the guitar.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I really want to be a big country singer or a music teacher, definitely something to do with music.

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What do your classmates think of your singing career?

They think it’s really cool, and so do my teachers. They are very supportive of my music and get me to sing at special occasions in our parish. They love listening to my songs and let me practise in front of them if I have any gigs coming up, which is lovely.

How do you feel when you’re singing?

I feel happy, nervous and excited. A little bit of everything. I feel so proud of myself when I have done a concert in front of a large crowd and seeing everyone enjoying me singing is the best feeling.

What is your favourite song to sing?

I love to sing a song called A Mother’s Love is a Blessing, it’s the very first song I learned. I love the words to it and it is very popular when I’m performing. I also love Travelling Soldier. It was the song I sang with County Harmony at a festival in Warrenpoint and I was noticed by my good friend Sean Wallace and he became my music promoter. The song has been good to me in my career.

Which country music singers inspire you?

Daniel O’Donnell inspires me. I just love his music. I love him as a person and have always been a massive fan. He is very kind and I love how he interacts with his fans and takes time with them before and after his concerts, something I definitely want to do if I become as big as him. I also love Dolly Parton and love to sing her songs.

Have you ever met a famous country singer?

I met Daniel O’Donnell in May at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. Sean Wallace arranged tickets for me as he knows how much I like him but then I was invited to Daniel’s rehearsals and he asked me to jump up on stage to sing a song for him. I sang A Mother’s Love is a Blessing, I was shaking with excitement. Then the concert started and after the first half, in front of 2,000 people, he called me up and asked me to sing for everyone. It was like a dream come true, a day I will never forget. Then he did a lovely write up on me in his column in the Sunday World, which was unreal. I have also met Tony and Trionagh Allen, Lorraine McDonald, John Glenn, Philomena Begley, Claudia Buckley, Derek Ryan, John McNicholl and many more. They are all so lovely.

Has anyone in the industry given you advice?

A lot of people have been amazing and so supportive. They said to really enjoy it all and as long as I was enjoying it that was the main thing. And to keep at my school work as I’m so young, they tell me how important school is too.

What was your best day in your singing career so far?

My best day so far, apart from meeting and singing for Daniel, was winning female newcomer at the 2024 Northern Ireland Country Music Awards. I got to perform my first single Play Me the Waltz of the Angels and got a standing ovation. After my performance I was presented with my award from Hugo Duncan and Malcolm McDowell. That was a fantastic night and definitely a memory I’ll always have. That’s where it all took off for me and bookings started coming in.

In 20 years time I want to be...

I want to be a big country singer selling out concerts, having my very own band and travelling. Just doing what I love. I hope to be sharing the stage with some of the biggest names. That would be the dream.