Miranda Lambert Is ‘Country Through and Through’
Miranda Lambert is having a whirlwind few years. In addition to marrying fellow country star Blake Shelton, the country superstar won three ACM Awards, including one for Top Female Vocalist, scored two No. 1 singles, including her mega-hit, 'The House That Built Me,' and embarked on her successful solo Revolution tour. No doubt, Miranda is one of the most recognizable names in country music world, and she's happy with her fame staying right there.
"I'm country through and through," the Texas native tells GuitarCenter.com. "I love country music. I grew up on it. A lot of country artists are now crossing over to the mainstream, but I think actual country music itself has become the new form of popular music right now. Thanks to artists like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, country music has a huge following. That's why you see all these other acts from other genres making country records. It's because we're the ones who are selling records and concert tickets right now. Country music has a buzz about it, and we deserve it."
The 27-year-old began her career after coming in third on the TV show 'Nashville Star' in 2003. Miranda admits that, while she was reluctant to appear on the talent competition, she is now grateful for the opportunity.
"I initially wasn't too excited to go on the show," she concedes. "But 'Nashville Star' was my vehicle that got me in front of the right people. Now look at where I am. I don't think I'd be where I am today if it wasn't for 'Nashville Star.'"
Still, in spite of gaining national recognition by singing on the show every week, Miranda adds that it was what she faced after the show that helped shape her career. "I was thrown into the shark pool right off the bat," recalls the multi-platinum selling singer. "I got to third place just by being myself, and I knew that's what I should capitalize on in my career. I didn't let anyone change who I was or tell me what songs I should sing. I got attention based on the songs that I wrote and the way I performed them, so I stuck with that."
Now, she's selling out shows and soaring up the charts by performing her music ... her way. "I tell stories," explains the songbird. "I don't play it safe. I don't necessarily sing little bitty love songs and radio-friendly songs. I just write my own songs and have the production the way that I want it and put whatever I want on the record. It wasn't easy at first because radio didn't immediately embrace it, but after a while they started to and now I have great relationship with radio. When critics say that my music goes against the grade and they call me a rebel, it's because I really do sound different and sing about things that are a little left of center. But I hope that people feel like they know me when they're done listening to my records."
The two-time CMA nominee, including a nod for Female Vocalist of the Year, will wrap up her Revolution tour on October 22 in Jonesboro, Ark. Her next solo album, 'Four the Record,' hits shelves on Nov. 1, while her all-girl group, Pistol Annies, celebrated their debut album, 'Hell on Heels,' in August.
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