‘Can’t Stop Me Now:’ A testament to Amanda Keeles’ music journey 

London, Ontario-based artist Amanda Keeles left her high-level career in finance, and her marriage, to pursue a career in country music. In June, she won Music Video of The Year at the Forest City London Music Awards. After finishing the Ontario tour for her debut album, Can’t Stop Me Now, she is ready to continue her music journey. 

Keeles’ path towards music was not always easy. Her marriage ended because her passion for music didn’t align with her former partner. After, her career in finance began taking off. Yet, she still felt like she was putting her music off. When she finally began to pursue her music, it unexpectedly took off and she was left with a choice to make.

“I was at a decision-maker — whether I got to be able to juggle both finance and my music. So I made the decision to follow what I love and do my music 100 per cent full-time,” Keeles explained.

She released her debut single, “Blame it on the Moonlight,” in January 2023. It was featured on over 50 country radio stations in Canada — as well as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In March 2024, she released her debut album, Can’t Stop Me Now.

Keeles explained that the song “Can’t Stop Me Now” epitomizes where she is on her music journey.

“I’m at this point where nothing can stop me from actually doing what I love, except for me —  and I think that probably will resonate with a lot of people.” 

She hopes that when people listen to the album, they‘ll feel that sense of empowerment.

“There’s nothing you can’t do if you really put your mind to it,” Keeles says

Keeles challenged her songwriting abilities with the song “His Perception,” where she wrote from a male-perspective. She explained that the inspiration came from an Instagram direct message she received from a fan. The message mentioned that you rarely hear a female sing from a male’s perspective. 

However, writing from other perspectives is not unfamiliar to Keeles.

“I find it easier to write — especially with anything that has such emotion — that if I put myself in that person’s shoes, it helps me write and kind of explain easier.”

While writing Can’t Stop Me Now, Keeles worked alongside Johnny Gasparic, a producer and Grammy and Canadian Country Music Association award (CCMA) nominee. Keeles explained that she brought him demos of songs, and Gasparic took a chance on her. They joined forces with CCMA and JUNO award-winning musicians that brought the album to life.

“He did my whole album for me. We had so much fun. And it was because he opened that door just a little bit.”

After the success of Can’t Stop Me Now, and her tour, Keeles has enjoyed the life of being a newer artist. She explained that people stick around after her shows to meet her, take pictures, and sign albums. She said the response has been overwhelming, but it shows that people are embracing what she is doing. 

“People always say that this business is like a roller coaster ride. You know, it’s not always highs all the time. Sometimes there’s some lows … but once you come back up on the next it makes you want to keep on going.”

Keeles is gearing up for the second leg of her “Can’t Stop Me Now” tour, which starts in September. Keeles also plans to attend the CCMAs, which will take place in Edmonton in September. 

Keeles is pursuing her music full-time, and like her album title, she can’t be stopped.

“I think the way I look at it is, I’ve always wanted to do it. So I take anything and everything that comes along, because it’s a learning experience for me.”