Miranda's Way

Miranda Lambert is the epitome of the modern country music woman. From her early beginnings at her father’s knee, she learned the fine art of songwriting. Her first competition at age 10 was just the start of her long and winding road to country music stardom. In choosing people to emulate and pattern a career after, Miranda definitely sets the standard high! She gained notoriety and acceptance from her first fans on the stage at Johnnie High’s Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas. Inspired at 17, she chose to start her own band, “Texas Pride Band”. In the meantime, she learned to play the guitar and was penning her famous songs. The premise behind great artists is the road they chose to take to build their career and their fan base. Starting at the bottom, earning every lesson and award teaches performers and others alike the importance of knowing your craft from the bottom up! Performers have a multitude of things to learn while they are honing their craft such as: timing, stage presence, song selection, songwriting and a plethora of other issues that given any one negative could delay or kill a career. Miranda herself says she didn’t come from typical family upbringing. Her parents ran a detective agency and because her dad was a singer, songwriter on the side influenced her choices in lyrics she shoes to write about life, as she knew it growing up. The video from YouTube is one of my favorites and could have been a song about my life. Although this song is not one Miranda wrote, it clearly tells her story from the beginning! In each of her albums, Miranda gets better and more polished as a singer songwriter. For each of your life experiences begins a song and clearly, Miranda Lambert has the guts, brains and talent to pull off anything thrown at her…and lives life Miranda’s Way… Television Network. (n.d.). Miranda Lambert Print - Biography.com . Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com. Retrieved March 18,2012, from http://www.biography.com/print/profile/miranda-lambert-369610 Lambert, M. (n.d.). Miranda Lambert. Miranda Lambert. Retrieved March 18, 2012, from http://www.mirandalambert.com/ Miranda Lambert Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com . (n.d.). Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com.Retrieved March 18, 2012, from http://www.biography.com/people/miranda-lambert-369610

Keep It Real….

This past week was stressful to say the least! My part-time job at a prominent Christian university felt as though it should have been full-time with all the past rehearsals and preparations for the 6 recitals I am responsible for accompanying.

An issue I want to address is when working with professional musicians; artists need to remember we have a multitude of experiences under our belt. The head of the vocal department reminded me: a little power goes a long way. That was in reference to a situation between myself and a student who was preparing for a senior recital. Because of the privilege of directing a play, this student felt she had the right to dictate to her instructor and myself how the music was going to be performed. What she failed to realize, I have the ability to either make her look really polished or very inept and her skills/musicianship left a lot to be desired.

A little perceived power corrupts and can destroy your career quickly. The smart singer/songwriter usually realizes early on who ultimately keeps them on the charts. A couple of country artists that come to mind are: Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr. Both of these artists have seen the ups and downs of a career over many years and are considered part of the outlaw country movement that had it’s roots in the mid-70’s.

Nelson and Williams have always been outspoken. Just like the Dixie Chicks in their debacle over the comment about President Bush which ultimately led in ruining their career, these guys have also felt the sting of paying the price from untimely comments; Nelson through his support of legalized marijuana and Williams’ recent fiasco with ESPN last fall.

In looking back at these prominent and still performing artists, I realized that we all could learn valuable lessons on how to make it in any genre of the performing arts industry! Most important is keeping your integrity and your passion for what you do best. But, most of all…keep it real….and filter your comments!

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References:
CMT.com : Dixie Chicks : Biography. (2009, October 18). Country Music Television - News, Videos, Artists : Online Radio, Song Lyrics, TV Shows and More. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/dixie_chicks/bio.jhtml

CMT.com : Willie Nelson : Biography. (2009, October 18). Country Music Television - News, Videos, Artists : Online Radio, Song Lyrics, TV Shows and More. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/nelson_willie/bio.jhtml

Corporation. (n.d.). Explore: Outlaw Country | AllMusic. AllMusic. Retrieved April 1, 2012, from http://www.allmusic.com/explore/style/outlaw-country-d2685

Hiestand, M. (2011, October 4). ESPN drops Hank Williams Jr. from 'Monday Night Football'. News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/10/ready-for-some-controversy-hank-williams-compares-golf-with-obama-to-hitler/1#.T1QWdcyfA2Y

Reuters. (2003, March 14). CNN.com - Dixie Chicks pulled from air after bashing Bush - Mar. 14, 2003. CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Retrieved April 1, 2012, from http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/14/dixie.chicks.reut/