“SHE may not be old enough to get into a club, but Ray-Lee is certainly making her presence felt on the music scene. The 17-year-old Goldsborough singer-songwriter will travel to Sydney on Wednesday after being shortlisted in the Youth Top 30 of the 2013 Australian Songwriting Contest, alongside a nomination in the new Youth Category in Cairns Post Hit Awards, which kicks off its month-long voting period on Monday. Russell is no stranger to being nominated for awards, coming in at No.10 in the Australian Songwriting Contest in 2011 and a finalist again in 2012. She also took out the 2011 Amateurs Cairns heat of the Port Douglas Songwriting Competition and was a finalist in the Cairns Got Talent competition in 2011 and 2012, and the 2010 Cairns Festival Street Buskers competition. This year, she's up for the nationwide award for her song Backed Up Against A Wall, a powerful song written about bullying in schools. "I never expected that song to make it because I wrote it in about five”

“Fans of Far North Queensland music shouldn't miss tonight's launch of Life Is Different, the debut EP from 15-year-old local songstress Ray-Lee at Mondo Cafe and Bar. One of the region’s most promising up-and-coming talents, Ray-Lee displays maturity well beyond her years and definitely a name to watch for the future. Local songstress Ray-Lee delivers a haunting collection of six songs for her debut EP, showing maturity and developed songwriting well beyond her 15 years. ”

"Young indie folk musician Ray-Lee is winning over hearts everywhere she plays." "Taking the indie-folk route, Ray-Lee’s mature, soulful vocals are instantly memorable."