Fiona Culley, a singer-songwriter from across the pond, grew up in the small town of Litchfield, England. Listening to her dad’s music made her a fan of an array of female singers from pop music’s Linda Ronstadt to country music’s Trisha Yearwood and Alison Krause. Despite living in a place where country music isn’t that popular, Culley decided to pursue her love for it regardless. She began writing songs and traveled across Europe to perform, leading to a gig at London’s famed Troubadour and a subsequent opening slot in a U.K. Tour.
After a performance at the Troubadour, a man from the back requested an a-cappella version of a song she had just finished. The gentleman, who ened up being the former head of A & R at Sony NY, suggested that she head to Nashville to work on her career. Once there, Culley wrote and performed often, and even recorded/posted a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” with her band. That proved to be the break she needed as the next morning she awoke to the video receiving over 2 million views on YouTube & earning her VH1‘s “Top 5 Cover Videos to Watch”.
As Culley continued her writing, she was introduced to producer Paul Worley (Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, and Dixie Chicks). There was an instant ‘creative chemistry’ between the two, leading to their collaboration on her first album: a mix of old and new influences from her favorites. The lead off single “Act Like a Lady” – which is also Culley’s radio debut – goes for adds on Monday, July 24.
Written by Culley, Zac Maloy, and Jen Schott, “Act Like a Lady” is an edgy anthemic song about turning the tables on men that fill a woman’s head with lies. Cleverly worded instructions will have women, here and abroad, stand up and take notes:
Oh no, here we go
It’s the end, I shoulda known
A promise from a man like you is like a one way sign on a dead end road
I swear, this is it
The last time I fall for this
Shady little show of testosterone, I’m better off alone.
Crash and burn, Love and learn
From here on out, here’s what I’m gonna do.
Act like a lady, think like a man
Smile and look pretty, but have a back up plan
Whispering sweet little lies, look him in the eyes, don’t let him know where you stand
Act like a lady, think like a man
The rock-esque style in the way of heavy guitar and drums blends beautifully with the slight rasp in Culley’s voice; add in the clever lyrics and the tune becomes infectious. She may speak with an English accent, but she sings like a cross between Carrie Underwood and Ann Wilson of Heart, thus setting herself up for a fruitful career.
“Act Like a Lady” is available on iTunes and other music download sites.
And in case Culley”s name sounds a bit familar – she co-wrote the song “Life on the Line” with Darius Rucker, Meghan Linsey (The Voice; Steel Magnolias), and Tyler Cain. A duet between Culley and Rucker, “Life on the Line” is the theme song for the Lionsgate film of the same name starring John Travolta, Kate Bosworth, and Sharon Stone, which was released on November 18, 2016.
For more information on Fiona Culley, visit her website: www.fionaculley.com.