East Texan set to shine on new reality show 'Nashville Star'

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Miranda Lambert of Lindale

March 6, 2003 -- Out of 8,000 country music artists nationwide, one East Texan was selected to participate in a new reality TV show that will end with one having a recording contract.

Miranda Lambert, a 19-year-old singer/songwriter from Lindale, is the youngest person selected to appear on "Nashville Star," the television show that begins a nine-week run on cable USA Network beginning Saturday, March 8.

Lambert is one of the 12 finalists, and one of four Texans, chosen to be on the show. Country music artists competed in 48 talent contents nationwide and five semifinal regional rounds. Judges have narrowed the field to 12, and by the show's end, the nationwide viewing audience will choose the winner.

"Nashville Star" watchers will be entertained with live performances by the finalists and will witness some of the activities within the house where the 12 finalists, six guys and six gals, will reside during the competition.

The first show of "Nashville Star" on March 8 will be a revue of the nationwide search, and will feature the "narrowing down" to the 12 finalists. On the next week's show, March 15, Lambert said two finalists will be eliminated, and then one finalist each week will have to pack their bags and leave. By the end of the show's nine-week run, only one will be victorious, and declared the winner of a Sony Music Nashville recording contract and a CD produced by country singer Clint Black

"The first four to be eliminated will be eliminated by the judges," Lambert explained, "and after that, the public will eliminate one each week."

The 19-year-old said she is "nervous and excited" about the unique competition and living conditions. "It will probably be a little awkward at first," she said, "but we all met about two weeks ago. We recorded some songs, did a photo shoot, things like that."

Lambert said she already feels a bond with another of the finalists, 22-year-old preschool teacher Kristen Kissling who resides in Austin. Lambert had met Kissling in Houston during other musical performance events.

On Feb. 25, Lambert said she will leave her Lindale home and head to Nashville(on March 5) just days before the show's initial airing. "I've been told our schedule will be hectic. I'm told we will have two, half-days off a week. There will be rehearsals, appearances, ... and the show is live."

As one of television's newest reality shows, the cameras will seek the interaction between the finalists as they reside under the same roof. The house, Lambert said, is on the famed city's Music Row. The performances will be at Acuff Theater, next to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

In a way, the 19-year-old Lambert said leaving for Nashville to live with people she's only slightly acquainted with will be similar to going off to college. Lambert finished her high school education at Lindale High School "early, in November (2001)," as her musical career was really beginning to take her on the road. She was able to participate in graduation ceremonies, though. "I walked across the stage in June (2002)" with her high school friends. The graduation ceremony was special for Lambert, who performed, well, began performing, a song she wrote, "I'll Remember You."

"I only got through five lines before I started crying," she remembered. "My best friend was sitting right in front of me and she was crying, so I couldn't help it; I did too."

As a songwriter, Lambert knows how an emotional event can produce an emotional song. She stresses she is a singer-slash-songwriter, and said writing allows her to put her emotions on paper, then her talented, natural voice tells the story.

"I mostly write sad songs, and I don't know why because I'm a happy person," she added.

Maybe it's the broken relationships and tragedies she's heard about from her parents, the private investigators. And having a musically-included father helps too, she feels.

"My dad taught me three chords on the guitar, because that's all you really need with country songs," she said. "But I've grown up with music. I remember when I was 5, going to sleep on my mom's lap as my dad played the guitar" at friends' get-togethers. Her dad, Rick Lambert, also performed in clubs and events before he married.

A little over a year ago, in November 2001, Lambert's first single debuted from her first album, simply named "Miranda Lambert." The single, "Texas Pride," stayed on the Texas Music Chart for three months. In February 2002, Lambert's second single, "Somebody Else," was on the Texas Music Chart for 15 weeks.

Her successes have been great for a budding singer/songwriter. After the first year of her professional career, she was able to purchase a motor home and trailer for going on the road. "I bought it all by myself," she said. "My dad said I've done pretty good. In my first year, I didn't lose money, I broke even."

The road to a successful career in country music is where the East Texan is traveling. "I've got the ball rolling here," she said just days before leaving for Nashville. With the show "Nashville Star," Lambert said she will gain some good exposure and it will be a great opportunity. "I'm excited about it. ... And singing and songwriting, that's where my heart is."

More information about Lambert's music, scheduled performances, and personal facts can be found on her website, www.mirandalambert.com, which was designed and is maintained by her 14-year-old brother.