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Raechel Whitchurch

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Raechel Whitchurch
Background information
Birth nameRaechel Angela Lee
Born1986 or 1987 (age 36–37)
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
OriginBroken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
GenresCountry, Alt-Country
OccupationMusician
Instruments
Years active1999–present
LabelsCompass Bros / Universal
PartnerBen Whitchurch (2010 - present)
Websiteraechelwhitchurch.com

Raechel Angela Whitchurch (born Raechel Angela Lee 26 April 1986 or 1987) is an Australian country music singer and songwriter.[1] She started as a singer-guitarist in her family's travelling band, the Lees, in 1999. As a solo artist Whitchurch issued her debut album, Finally Clear, in April 2021.

Biography

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Raechel Lee was born on 26 April 1986 or 1987, into a country music family, and was raised in Broken Hill.[2][3][4] Her father Stephen explained that he and wife Tracey were inspired by seeing Dead Ringer Band, back in 1993.[2] For the next six years, the parents bought instruments and taught their children to play and sing.[2] Initially they performed at small New South Wales towns during school holidays.[5] From 1999, the whole family toured Australia as the Lees, with Stephen on lead guitar, Tracey on bass guitar, Raechel on vocals and guitar, brother Jarod on drums, sisters Faith and Savannah on vocals.[2][6] In June 2005 the Lees appeared on Australian Broadcasting Corporation's rural TV programme, Landline, after six years of touring.[2] The family relocated from Broken Hill to Parkes in early 2006.[4] The Lees issued their third album of country, folk/roots music, Welcome Road in 2010 via Revolver Records.[6] Previous albums are The Lees (2000) and Time to Kill (2006).[7]

Lee reached the audition semi-final of Australian Idol in August 2006.[8][9] With fellow Idol contestant, Lisa Mitchell, she performed gigs in rural New South Wales in April 2007.[5] Lee resumed performing with her family's band.[9] By July 2010 the singer had married Ben Whitchurch, who is also a musician.[10][11] The Whitchurches moved to Sydney in 2011. As from May 2021 the couple have two children.[12] In April 2016 Raechel Whitchurch released a four-track extended play, Outlaw, produced by Bill Chambers.[13][14] Chambers issued his album, Cold Trail, in 2017.[14] Whitchurch and Chambers undertook a combined tour to promote their respective releases during that year.[14] Her debut album, Finally Clear was released in April 2021 and was produced by Matt Fell.[15] It received two nominations for CMAA Golden Guitar Awards for New Talent and Traditional Country Album[16][17]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Raechel Whitchurch - Studio albums
Title Producer Details Peak Chart Position
Finally Clear Matt Fell
  • Released: 16 April 2021
  • Label: Compass Bros Record / Universal Music Australia
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
  • No. 1 Australia Country Album[18]
  • No. 5 Country Album[19]
  • No. 15 Australian Artist Album[20]
  • No. 3 AIR Independent Label Album[21]
What a Time to Be Alive Matt Fell
  • Release 24 May 2024
  • Label: Compass Bros Records / Universal Music Australia
  • Formats: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
  • No. 1 Australian Country Album [22]
  • No. 1 AIR Independant Label Album [23]
  • No. 4 Australian Album [24]
  • No. 14 Country Album [25]

Awards and nominations

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Country Music Awards of Australia

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The Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 Finally Clear Traditional Country Album Pending
Raechel Whitchurch Best New Talent Pending
2025 What a Time to Be Alive Album of the Year Pending [26]
Contemporary Country Album of the Year Pending

References

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  1. ^ "Underdog: Broken Hill-born musician trumps Keith Urban to reach number one spot with debut album". ABC News. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sexton, Mike (12 June 2005). "Family Finds Inspiration on the Open Road". Landline. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Ice News". Country Music Online. No. 67. 5 April 2005. Archived from the original on 18 June 2005. Retrieved 1 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia. Note: birthday on 26 April, year not given.
  4. ^ a b "Lees living their dream – Local News – News – General". Warren Advocate. 10 August 2006. Archived from the original on 30 October 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia. Note: age is 19 in 2006.
  5. ^ a b "Idol Friends Hit the Road Together". Canowindra News. 28 March 2007. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ a b Lees (Musical group) (2010), Welcome Road, The Lees/Revolver Records, retrieved 29 March 2022
  7. ^ "Discography". The Lees Official Website. 2010. Archived from the original on 26 January 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Videos, Photos, Competitions, Forums, My Idol Contestant Detail: Raechel Lee". Australian Idol 2006. 2006. Archived from the original on 24 August 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ a b Jarvis, Susan (February 2010). "A Family Welcome". Capital News. Vol. 35, no. 2. Archived from the original on 29 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ Lee, Steve (26 July 2010). "2010 July | I Like Guns". I Like Guns. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ Dawson, Dave (7 July 2021). "Preview of Episode 7 – Series 48". nucountry.com.au. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  12. ^ Dawson, Dave (15 May 2021). "Adam Harvey_Racheal Whitchurch_Corio 15 May 2021". nucountry.com.au. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Outlaw – EP by Raechel Whitchurch". 18 April 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  14. ^ a b c "Bill and Raechel team up for tour". Mudgee Guardian. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  15. ^ Williams, Kristy (20 April 2021). "It's Finally Clear for Raechel Whitchurch After Homecoming". Parkes Champion-Post. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  16. ^ 2022 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards Nominee Announcement, retrieved 25 November 2021
  17. ^ Williams, Kristy (24 November 2021). "'Beautiful' moment as Parkes singer nabs Golden Guitar nominations". Parkes Champion-Post. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  18. ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Country Albums Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  19. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Country Albums Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  20. ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  21. ^ "Independent Label Albums – 26 Apr 2021 - Australian Independent Record Labels Association". Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  22. ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Country Albums Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Independent Label Albums – 3rd June, 2024 - Australian Independent Record Labels Association". Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  24. ^ "ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  25. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Country Albums Chart". www.aria.com.au. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Troy Cassar-Daley, Michael Waugh, Kasey Chambers Lead 2025 Golden Guitar Nominations". Country Town. 19 November 2024.
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