Harmony James came to the attention of the music industry a few years back when her song "Tailwind" was the first Australian song to win the country category of the International Songwriting Competition.

Her second single, 'Somebody Stole My Horse', was Australia's third most played country song for 2008.

Now, with her debut album,Tailwind, a finalist in the 38th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia for Album of the Year, Harmony confirms that she is a talented and skilled singer songwriter.

Born in Victoria to a Baptist preacher, as one of 12 children, Harmony had a sheltered childhood, with private tuition and few friends. In place of socialising she read voraciously, every book she could find, eventually discovering the western novels of Louis L'Amour.

Traditional country music was the next discovery when a friend returned from Texas with Randy Travis records. These beginnings inspired her to head bush for her own western adventure. She's lived the dream, running a stock camp in Outback Queensland and working cattle out on the Northern Territory's Barkly Tableland.

Produced by music legend Herm Kovac, Tailwind is packed with memorable, often personal songs, including the inspiring 'Fly', the quirky, captivating 'Painted Pony' and the wonderfully vitriolic 'Cold, Cold Rage'.

Kevin Bennett duets with Harmony on 'Some People Give', while gems like 'Pretty' and 'Precious Little' are world-class tracks.

Harmony was named Rising Star at the 2008 Victorian Country Music Awards, and was a 2008 New Talent Golden Guitar finalist and in 2009 Independent Female Vocalist of the Year. But that's only the start of a stellar career for this gifted artist, now nominated as finalist for the 2010 CMAA Female Artist of the Year.

Tailwind was launched at the Darwin City Muster, July 11.

The Critics take on the Tailwind album

‘believable... there's a lot to like here’ – Bernard Zuel (Sydney Morning Herald)

‘For a young artist to produce such integrity and maturity in a debut is downright gratifying’ – Martin Jones (Drum Media)

'It's great: honest and melodic and very, very real.' Jeff Apter (Author of Fortunate Son: The Unlikely Rise of Keith Urban)

'these interesting tales are told with well worn authenticity and a touch of class... all of them are worth at least a little of your time' Polly Coufos (Weekend Australian)

'Tailwind has to be one of the most remarkably confident and self assured Australian female country debut albums I can recall. It deserves to be album of the year' Kim Cheshire (Country Update)