There is phone-tag and then there is phone-tag-as-blood-sport. I was a willing, if not happy, participant in the latter while working with the publicist of Grammy Award-winning chanteuse LeAnn Rimes. After scheduling, rescheduling and otherwise chasing a slim slot for a telephone interview with the young country music star, the call finally came to the appointed extension in my office. I wasn’t there. I’ll attribute this misfortune to the will of the cosmos. At my desk, however, was my trusted video production staffer Brodie Giles, who cordially answered the phone as he often does, with a mix of fealty and trepidation.
“Mr. Howell’s desk.”
“Hi, this is LeAnn.”
“LeAnn who?”
The country singer who first made the charts at age 13 with her debut single “Blue,” her rendering of the tune made famous by Patsy Cline, which spoke to a wisdom well beyond her years. Millions of subsequent albums sold and accolades won (including an American Music Award, two Grammy Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards), that’s who.
If the line had not gone dead moments before I arrived, I would have picked up the conversation by reading the previous paragraph. Instead, the publicist graciously rescheduled me – again. This next time, I answered the phone and was delighted to find myself chatting with the country star, who headlines Sonoma Jazz+ tonight. Rimes said she is looking forward to her Sonoma sojourn.
“I love it. Actually, my very first show, when I was 13 and had just come out with ‘Blue,’ was in Calistoga. It was for 10,000 people at a race track there. I remember it so very well and I remember loving the country up there. It was absolutely beautiful,” she recalled, adding that she has made return visits. “It’s nice to be able to come back. I’ve vacationed there a couple of times and am a big wine fan, so it’s fun.”
Rimes, who will be 25 in August, counts among her friends a Nashville oenophile who owns the largest privately-owned wine cellar in Tennessee. He’s been educating Rimes and her husband about wine in tandem with their participation in wine-related fundraising events.
“It’s my way to unwind. It’s my one vice – a nice glass of wine after a long day. On my new album, ‘Family,’ which is coming out soon, I have a new song called ‘A Good Friend and a Glass of Wine’ that I wrote.”
A song that boasts “wine” in its title, of course, begs the question as to whether wine was involved in the genesis of the album.
“Was there wine involved? Yes. Many long nights with wine involved,” laughed Rimes, who wryly reminded, “I will be sober when I go onstage.”
On “Family,” Rimes shares songwriting credit with her husband and three of her close friends (hence the title) and the new material has been well-received at recent shows she has performed.
“For me, this album represents an exciting time for me. I’ve been in this business for 12 years and I feel like this is my first record,” explained Rimes, who had undergone something of an artistic renaissance while penning the project. “I’m writing all of my own music and I have a lot to say as a human being – as a woman. This record was a lot of fun to write because my husband co-wrote six songs with me. The whole album is co-written by husband and me and three of my very close friends.”
The album marks something of an emotional departure for Rimes, who came of age in the music industry spotlight.
“I feel like now, I’ve become artist and not just a little girl with a big voice. There’s so much more behind it. I’m a normal human being too, with real life experiences. As a writer I can dip into that side of myself. To be incredibly honest, we set out to write really honest, emotional songs with hit choruses that people could sing along to and find themselves within these songs.”
Indeed, there is an unspoken contract between a singer-songwriter and her audience to articulate those notions that the audience might otherwise find difficult to express. Giving her voice in this capacity characterizes much of her new work.
“I’ve been saying that a lot lately. As a singer, I’ve been an interpreter of songs, but never has it been my words and my lyrics. Now, as a songwriter, for people to come up to me and say ‘That’s what I always wanted to say, this has really affected my life,’ is a totally different thing, because it’s my feelings and my emotions.
“There are so many honest emotions on this record, I’m not the only one to have gone through these feelings. For me, it’s a totally different world. I’ve stepped out and been honest and an artist on this record. I feel like I’m starting a whole other phase of my life and career.
“I think I really came up with my own sound this time that you don’t hear on the radio. It’s very fresh and hopefully I’ll be able to sustain for several records,” said Rimes, who counts Tracy Chapman, Bob Dylan and Omaha-based indie act Bright Eyes among her recent influences. Moreover, Rimes endeavored to produce an album that was commercially viable without sacrificing the personal aspect for which she had strived.
“I didn’t try to be anything this time, whether it be country or pop. I just tried to do what was in my heart,” said Rimes. “I’m enjoying it so much more than I ever have.”
LeAnn Rimes performs at 9 p.m., Thursday, May 24 at Sonoma Jazz+, at the Field of Dreams on First St. West. For ticket and event information, visit www.sonomajazz.org or call 866.468.8355.
Sonoma’s Got More Talent In Its Little Finger Than Hollywood Has In All Ten…
For the third straight year they came. They came dressed to impress and they came dressed down. A few sauntered up to the microphone—as though they had the world by the tail—and others crab-walked their way to center stage, too shy even to make eye-contact with the crowd. One by one they wrenched the mic from its stand, opened their mouths, and summoned the sound of music. The crowd cheered. The crowd whistled and stomped. And the crowd winced once or twice, too. From a class of 40 warblers, four voices rose into the wind with the special clarity and loveliness sought by our panel of distinguished judges. Those lucky four will enjoy Jazz+ this weekend, courtesy of KSVY 91.3 Sonoma. Crowd pleaser Davita Ford was the first place winner, followed by Steve Dudgeon in second place, Adrian Boyer in third place and Jaime Love in fourth place. In the age 12 and under category, first place went to Kaijah Ford, daughter of Davita, our adult winner. Coming in second place for the kids was Aiden Clune, followed by the third place duet of Jordan Bearg and Mia Winders. Every year the competition gets a bit fiercer, and the crowd a bit fuller. Congratulations to all the brave souls who were willing to stand before neighbors and friends and belt one out, and super-sized kudos to our winners.
A special thank you to Sonoma Jazz+, the main sponsor of this event, as well as to Morton’s Warm Springs and Baskin Robbins for their generous prize donations.
