The year 2004 was no less hectic for Paulini, with more performances and concerts around the country and in particular, her concert at the Australian Gospel Music Festival in Toowoomba at Easter time.
Soon after the AGMF the news of her 4 album recording deal with Sony music was finally made public. This came as no surprise to most people who have heard her sing. It was really only a matter of which recording company would get her first. Silly silly BMG missed the boat on this one (at the time)!
Things began to get interesting when Sony called for Paulini’s fans to contact them if they wanted to be a part of the video they were making for her new single. The single was announced as a cover of an old hit country song called “Angel Eyes” revamped and injected with soul in Paulini’s unique style. Some fans weren’t impressed with the song choice as the Healey version is a little too country and bland. But our faith in Paulini stayed firm and with reports coming back from those who appeared in her video that it was going to be “awesome” her fans began to eagerly anticipate the release of her very first single.
The rest most of you will know. Her single and her album One Determined Heart both hit number 1 in the charts. Her single was a smash hit. It debuted at number 1 but was knocked back to number 2 after a controversial recount. The next week it regained it’s number 1 spot and stayed there for 3 weeks, in the top 10 for several more weeks and in the charts for 4 months. Both her single and debut album went Platinum.
Paulini was awarded ARIA’s for both the album and the single and then later released her second single, an original song from her album titled We Can Try. Her second single didnt do as well as the first, but at time of writing it remains in the charts after several weeks. Her debut album is still in the Urban Top 20 chart at number 12 after 3 months.
Meanwhile, Paulini toured to rave reviews with her old friends Human Nature appearing at venues across the country to perform and sign CDs.
Her next venture was her Christmas EP – Amazing Grace: Songs For Christmas – which was released on November 26 and she performed a track for inclusion on the So Fresh Christmas album. She also guest starred in Home and Away and performed on This is Your Life and in Dancing with the Stars.
Meanwhile, Paulini managed another two national tours: an “encore” tour with Human Nature and a tour with Tina Arena.
I dont know where she gets the energy!