Hollie Steel

An article has just appeared about Hollie Steel in The Examiner. We are told that not only is Hollie a captivating performer, but they also mention that her album will be out during 2010.

Meanwhile, I have attached a festive photo of Hollie to cheer you up – thanks to Léopold for sending me it.

Also, click here if you want to see Hollie opening her Christmas presents. She looks so sweet.

You can check out the lovely video for Hollie Steel’s “Where are You Christmas” that has been cleverly created by Robert Buttrick here.

Hollie Steel’s interview earlier this month with Gary Baumgarten of Paltalk (formerly CNN) was filmed behind the scenes by Arry Arry Boy of 103.2 Preston FM. Thanks to Nevin for bringing this clip to my attention.

Nina has admitted to being “heart broken” that Hollie’s version of Where Are You, Christmas? was not played by the major radio stations and thus did not make it into the top 40 Christmas chart.

The record was played by the local stations 2BR and the Bee, but the major stations told her Hollie was ‘not established enough’.

Nina Steel said: “It’s no surprise that it hasn’t charted this week because nobody’s heard it.

“She’s not had the air play because there’s too many big artists.

“Radio stations have had the playlists with upcoming songs, including Hollie’s, for months and months.

“But they say they have no space to play hers.

“I don’t know how she’ll ever get established if they don’t give her a chance.”

Nina added that Hollie is looking forward to Christmas, saying: “She’s worked really, really hard and it feels like it was all for nothing. She has a beautiful song out there.

“Sometimes this country lets young people down and we want people to get behind Hollie and support her.

“It is heartbreaking for me and her but she’s a little girl and will bounce back.”

It is with great regret to inform Hollie’s fans that her single “Where Are You Christmas” has not charted in the UK.

We would like to thank everybody whom has bought the CD and the download, as well as those whom have contributed with their own time and help.

Nina and I have spoken on many occasions about contributing factors and the list below is what we have found:-

1. Lack of UK Radio Airplay

We have both, along with Judd Landers come up against the same reaction when trying for airplay and whilst nearly all stations have loved and complimented the track, most are only interested in big established names around the Christmas period.

2. X-Factor

Mr Cowell had over 20 big artists do live performances throughout the running of the show all of which got around 15 million viewers hearing their respective new releases, they also released a charity single, had all the adverts promoting just the acts on the show, and don’t forget the shows winner Joe McElderry’s single and Susan Boyle. The show also made getting Hollie’s story and single into the UK national papers totally impossible due to nearly all signing to the show to cover all the exclusives and related artists.

3. Live TV Appearance

The main 5 TV channels in the UK only have 2 to 3 primetime shows each that allow artists do live appearances and these programmes book artists at least 2 to 3 months in advance. Judd managed to book Hollie on one of the Sky channels which we all watched and loved her performance, and also managed to get her on many stand by lists, but due to the amount of artists releasing a single and albums this year was to no avail. Please remember the single wasn’t started until mid October and finished early November, so nobody would book in advance due to not hearing the final track.

4. Outside Interferences

Nina and I are fully aware of many instances where certain people have acted to jeopardise Hollie’s single. Whilst we have all the relevant information and evidence on all these malicious and cowardly acts, we cannot publish any due to legal reasons and the fact that these acts have no place in an 11 year olds life.

The good thing to come from all this is the amazing way Hollie has created not only a great single from a song that was close to her heart, but performed it live on TV, in front of live crowds, and done numerous interviews for local press and local radio stations.This just adds to the complete package that Hollie has, and she will be back stronger than ever in the New Year with her album which hopefully will have the backing of a larger label, enough time to promote fully, and at a time that the UK isn’t distracted by other TV & Radio hype.

Regards

Dave D’Mello

Hollie Steel recently participated in an interview on Paltalk, an interactive chat service run by Gary Baumgarten. Some of the interview and chat session have been uploaded to YouTube (thanks Léopold) and you can view it below.

Gary, the interviewer, refers to Hollie as “a little angel with a great voice” (which she is). He also said that it was “unheard of” for a girl of Hollie’s age to have a voice with such vocal presence.

Just to let you know, my Hollie Steel singles arrived this morning from HMV. I had ordered five, for myself and the family, and they all came in their own individual boxes from HMV. In addition to to Hollie singing “Where are You Christmas”, there is also an instrumental version of the track. So, if you are of the Karaoke persuasion, you could have a go at “doing a Hollie” yourself

Hollie appeared on TV yesterday to promote the release of her single, Where are you Christmas. She was interviewed by Jemma Gofton and you can watch the interview and Hollie’s performance here:

I have received a message from Gary Baumgarten who has informed me that Hollie will be appearing live on News Talk Online on the Paltalk News Network Friday, December 18th at 5pm New York time (which is 10pm GMT).

Hollie will be taking questions from the Paltalk audience.

Gary tells me that: “Paltalk is the leading real-time, video-based chat community with over four million active members. To join in the experience at 5pm New York time Friday go to http://www.paltalknewsnetwork.com“

Hollie Steel has been featured in the Accrington Observer, promoting the imminent release of  “Where are you Christmas” which will be released on Monday and available as an MP3 download.

About the release date, Nina said: “The release date was put back, as it was supposed to be released on the 7th. The issue we have got at the moment is that people in east Lancashire might have heard the song but other than that it’s not really been heard anywhere.

“We don’t really know how well she is doing. All we have got is the pre-orders in HMV which look like they’re doing okay.

“I think it’s going into the stores next week and we probably won’t know how she’s done until the Sunday night after it’s been released.”

The download will cost just 69p, although Nina says that Hollie will need “about 7,000 downloads to get in the top 40 and that’s a lot for a little girl. But we have a lot more than 7,000 people in Accrington!”

Nina also revealed that the title of Hollie’s forthcoming album has been virtually decided.

She said: “I think she’s going to call it ‘I Could’ve Danced All Night’, because that’s her song. She has got something like 23 million You Tube hits and most of them are for that.”