Stephanie Rainey, performer of "Please Don't Go"
Maybe you've seen the recent Irish viral video about the loss of a loved one "Please Don't Go" by singer Stephanie Rainey (it now has over 3.5 million views). Rainey has written a special piece for IrishCentral and PlayIrish USA this week about her recent experience of coming to the US. Scroll down for more.
A few weeks ago I put out a music video that ended up getting a lot of attention and ultimately went viral. Following it’s success I was going to California for some meetings.
When I got to one of the airport checkpoints in Los Angeles, the officer asked me why I was coming through and I told him I was there to meet some record companies because of a song I had released. He took my passport, started smiling and asked if I was Stephanie Rainey. He’d seen my video and loved it which just blew me away. He asked if he could get an autograph and a selfie with me - which again was something I wasn’t expecting all the way over in LA.
It was an amazing moment for me, the idea that my music had reached so far in such a short space of time was beyond amazing. As we bunched in to take the photo (on the sly so his boss couldn’t see) as he gave a big but slightly secret thumbs up to the camera in his phone.
He said he wished me ‘nothing but positive vibes’ and hoped that the trip would be successful. I was really nervous up to that point and his warmth took it all away. America is an amazing place and I hope I get to see loads more of it very soon. The fact that it will more than likely happen whilst promoting my music makes it so much more exciting. I can’t wait.
Stephanie Rainey
More on Stephanie Rainey:
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IASCA is the Irish Association of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. Based in Ireland, their members are the Irish music writers of all genres - artists, songwriters, composers and lyricists. Their goal is to represent their members, support them, protect their interests and create an environment where new talent can thrive.PLAY IRISH is an IASCA initiative to promote Irish music both at home and overseas. This playlist is brought to you by the IASCA, visit their website here: www.iasca.ie.