BIO Ann Doka “I swear – by the moon and the stars in the sky… I´ll be there…“ Who among us does not recall these lyrics to the 1990s song “I swear,” which catapulted the band ”All 4 One” into the charts while making the hearts of young girls beat a little faster? And the heart of singer-songwriter Ann Doka was similarly smitten … But who could have guessed that this special song would shape her future musical career in such a significant way… What would have become of Ann Doka if, many years ago now, this 14-year-old girl hadn’t been sitting in front of the radio one Sunday afternoon when she suddenly discovered American radio station AFN? The show on AFN that afternoon was “American Country Countdown” – and, at that very moment, they were playing her most loved song, “I swear,“ in a wonderful version that, until then, she had never heard before. It was being sung by country artist John Michael Montgomery, the man who originally penned the song. Her enthusiasm for country was born and, from then on, Miss Little Nashville was to be found in front of the radio every Sunday – recording American Country Countdown onto cassette tape. Shortly after that, her uncle took her to a country concert and bought her a rather special Christmas present - her very first country album! Naturally, it was the album of her new idol John Michael Montgomery. She was fascinated by the songs and copied out all the lyrics by hand from the booklet. Then she picked out the chords on her guitar, and was later able to play and sing them for herself. A great passion was born, a passion for the sound of the banjo, the fiddle, and multipart harmonies – and for lyrics that touched her heart. Her passion for country! Several years passed before Ann wrote the first song of her own. Until then, she played and sang in several bands right across all possible musical styles and genres. She also notched up her first successes as a musician, winning the “Hessischer Rock & Pop Award 2007” and being finalist at the “German Rock & Pop Award.” After her last band project – for which she wrote all the songs - split up in mid- 2011, she founded her solo project, “Ann Doka,” finally coming to focus on the music she had always longed to play: New Country. Following the example set by the Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, The Band Perry, Taylor Swift, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack – and, of course, John Michael Montgomery - Ann Doka now writes songs inspired by New Country. HER MISSION: TO MAKE NEW COUNTRY POPULAR IN EUROPE “Country no longer means Truck Stop and Tom Astor. Because New Country is modern pop rock – but played in a style that also features some country music instruments and multipart harmonies,” says Ann. “It´s time to change the image of Country in both Germany and Europe!” THE DEBUT ALBUM ”NEVER ENDING ROAD” September 2012 was the release of Ann Doka’s first album, “Never Ending Road,” on NASH*DASH Records. With her blend of Pop, New Country and Singer-Songwriter titles, she spirits her audience away to the world of the Honky Tonk Angels & Hillibilly Bones! - Now available - To a world somewhere between Nashville and the glittering Las Vegas – to NASHVEGAS!! The album “Never Ending Road” is about a yearning to finally arrive on this never ending road called life – at a place you can call “home” or with a special person you love. In her music, Ann Doka sings about people who are still searching for their own road – about those who have already arrived – and those who never seem to arrive… In december 2012 Ann Doka won the German Rock- & Pop Award in two categories „Best country singer“ and „Best country song“ (with her Song „Lea“) FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANN DOKA www.AnnDoka.com www.facebook.com/AnnDoka www.youtube.com/AnnDoka Infos & Booking NASH*DASH Records Antje Hennecke [email protected] www.NashDash.de