Go down under NOW~ http://www.australia.com/campaigns/100_things/aus-traveller/index.html

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VIDEO: Humpbacks return

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My Dad sent me this link this morning....humpback whales off the coast of my home town in Australia!~

Thanks to Natalie's fans her winning song 'Paint Me Blue' was voted into the No.7 spot.

The song, co-written with James Dean Hicks, won Second Place in the Country Category of the 12th Annual Unisong International Songwriting Contest and was one of the top 64 winning entries in all genres that were eligible for the People's Choice Award.

This US based contest was created for songwriters by songwriters and has been going strong since 1997.

Past judges have included hit writers like Diane Warren and Desmond Child.

Natalie would like to thank everyone who voted for her online over the 2 week voting period.

To check out the People's Choice Award Top 10 winners please visit www.unisong.com

Voting is now open in the People's Choice Award of the 12th Annual Unisong International Songwriting Contest.

As a Second Place Winner in the Country Category with her song 'PAINT ME BLUE', Natalie is eligible to win the People's Choice Award.

Fans can vote DAILY (up to the 14th April) for their favourite song and can vote up to 3 times a day.

The People's Choice Award winner will be announced on 15th April '09.

To VOTE for Natalie and 'Paint Me Blue' please visit www.unisong.com and click onto 'People's Choice Award Voting has Begun'.

Nashville based talented writer, Natalie Howard, is proud to have been recognized by her peers in the 12th Annual Unisong International Songwriting Contest. This US based contest was created for songwriters....by songwriters and has been going strong since 1997. Past judges have included such hit writers as Diane Warren and Desmond Child.

Natalie's song 'Paint Me Blue' has won Second Place in the Country Category. Co-written with James Dean Hicks, it has already won a Third Place spot in the Country Category of the International Songwriting Contest as well as gaining an Honorable Mention for Natalie in the Performance Category of the ISC.

The Unisong International Songwriting Contest has a prize package of more than US$60,000 spread over 16 diverse categories, including a one-of-a-kind Grand Prize that really puts the 'I' in international.

During a two week period, fans will be able to vote for their favourite song out of the top 64 winning entries in their People's Choice Awards. Visit www.unisong.com

Listeners can now hear Natalie as the US correspondent on the new HEATWAVE COUNTRY radio show which is broadcast across the KIX Network every Friday during the drive home time slot of 4 to 5.00 p.m. Q'ld time. Hosted by noted country music broadcaster Daryl Kirkup and Tracy Killeen this already successful show is repeated on Sundays at mid-day and includes an all star team of Tania Kernaghan, Col Elliott and Peter Denaghy. For more information visit www.heatwavecountry.com

The ISC Finalists & Semi-Finalists have been announced and Natalie has been named in 2 categories. Congratulations to all Finalists & Semi-Finalists.......It's All About The Song!!.

'I've Been Broken', co-written with Nashville songwriter Alan Bennett, was nominated as a semi-finalist in the open genre Performance Category. It has already won a Top 4 Finalist spot in the UK based 2008 Singer/Songwriter Awards.

'Nothing's Changed', co-written with Greg Crowe, was named in the Country Category. You can hear this song on Natalie's Myspace website.

The ISC received over 15,500 entries from almost 100 countries worldwide representing a great depth and diversity of talent and is the #1 song contest for songwriters with over US$150,000 in cash and prizes shared by 62 winners.

For a complete list of Finalists & Semi-Finalists please visit www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm

Popular country music presenter Daryl Kirkup gathers all-star team for 'Heatwave Country' radio.

Col Elliott, Tania Kernaghan, Natalie Howard, Peter Denahy and Tracy Killeen join Daryl Kirkup to bring 'Heatwave Country' to radio this month.

Popular country music presenter, Daryl Kirkup has gathered together an all-star team to bring 'Heatwave Country' to country radio across Australia.

'Heatwave Country' is an all-new hour of fun and entertainment combined with the hottest country music on the planet. Currently heard on the KIX Country Network, Heatwave Country is a syndicated program that is also available to every country station across Australia. Stations simply need to contact Jonathon Brown or Daryl (details below) to find out more.

DARYL KIRKUP
'Heatwave Country' hosted by long-time country music presenter, Daryl Kirkup, 2008 and 2009 People's Choice Awards Finalist for Most Popular Country DJ, is a long term dream for Daryl and he says 'to see it realised is a dream come true!!!' - Daryl also continues to host and produce his popular 'Australian Showcase' program for worldwide broadcast on CMR Nashville.

TRACY KILLEEN
Daryl's co-host on 'Heatwave Country' is the wonderful Tracy Killeen, one of country music's most popular female artists and TIARA Award winner for Female Vocalist of the Year at this year's awards in Tamworth.

COL ELLIOTT
Col Elliott is one of Australia's most-loved comedians and entertainers celebrating a career that has spanned more than 30 years. Col joins the 'Heatwave Country' team to put your favourite country artists 'Under The Grill'. You'll find out things about them that you never knew…and have a giggle while you do!!!!

TANIA KERNAGHAN
In a career that has seen her travel the length and breadth of Australia, Tania Kernaghan has discovered breath-taking places, met some unique characters and heard some amazing stories. As a member of the 'Heatwave Country' team, Tania shares them with you on 'Kernaghan's Country' every week only on 'Heatwave Country'.

NATALIE HOWARD
'Heatwave Country' has our own US correspondent based in Nashville, Natalie Howard. Natalie will bring you the latest US news, showcase the latest releases (you'll hear them here first!!), catch up with the stars of US country music and update our photo gallery as she brings you the most up to date reports each week live from Nashville.

PETER DENAHY
Laugh along with Heatwave Country's own creative genius, Peter Denahy as listeners throw him the funniest and strangest ideas for songs as they 'Pitch It To Pete', only on 'Heatwave Country'. No idea is too silly and if anyone can make a song out of snakebite or the backyard loo, Pete can!!!!

'Heatwave Country' a new concept bringing focus to the dynamic and exciting world of country music. Utilising the latest digital technology with traditional media formats, 'Heatwave Country' will be welcome feature in your life, not only as a weekly radio show, but as a fully interactive website, mobile content, live events, magazine, television show and merchandise.

Join Daryl and the sensational 'Heatwave Country' team as they bring a whole new dimension to country music across Australia.

'Heatwave Country' is seeking to expand its radio coverage, so if you're involved in country music radio and would like to add 'Heatwave Country' to your program schedule, contact

Jonathan Brown: jonathan@heatwavecountry
Daryl Kirkup: daryl@heatwavecountry.com

Natalie has been selected as the US correspondent for the new radio show 'Heatwave Country'. Her first report will be aired on KIX Country Network(Australia) this Friday 6th February at 4 p.m. Q'ld time. Natalie's segment will bring you the latest US news, showcase the latest releases, catch up with the stars of US country music and update Heatwave's photo gallery as she brings the most up to date reports each week live from Nashville.

Natalie is a previous proud winner of Australia's Musicoz CMC Best Country Artist Award and Country Song of the Year winner in the US Independent Music Awards as well as being a third place winner of the International Songwriting Contest 'Country ' category. Her video clips reached the coverted #1 spot on the Country Music Channel Top 30 Countdown on two occasions and her radio singles reached the Top 5 in Australia as well as on the US Independent Charts.

The 'Heatwave Country' weekly radio show, broadcasted nationally across Australia, is hosted by noted country music broadcaster Daryl Kirkup the 2008 and 2009 People's Choice Awards Finalist for Most Popular Country DJ. Co-host is Tracy Killeen a well known and popular artist and 2009 TIARA Award winner for Female Vocalist of the Year.

The all-star team also consists of Col Elliott who is one of Australia's most-loved comedians and will put your favourite country artists "Under The Grill". Tania Kernaghan shares her Australian travel experiences and amazing stories on "Kernaghan's Country" and you will laugh along with Peter Denahy in his "Pitch it To Pete" segment.

'Heatwave Country' is an all-new hour of fun and entertainment combined with the hottest country music on the planet which can be currently heard on the KIX Country Network or by live streaming on www.kixcountry.com.au

Check out Natalie's websites www.nataliehoward.net and www.myspace.com/nataliehoward