While I worked in country radio (1998-2001) there seemed to be an influx of several young country singers hitting the airwaves. After some research it seems they all are still making music and are staying involved with the arts, however many of these young fresh faces, now all in their late teens to early twenties are out of the mainstream spotlight. Here is a look at some young country artists who are still kickin: LeAnn Rimes, Jessica Andrews, Lila McCann, Billy Gilman, The Wilkinsons and the Clark Family Experience. (And- which one of these artists let me play with their instrument?!)
LeAnn Rimes
Best Known For: “Blue,” “Unchained Melody,” and “How Do I Live”
When it comes to teenage country singers who skyrocketed to success and then maintained a successful career, none other than LeAnn Rimes comes to mind. LeAnn Rimes appeared on Star Search when she was eight-years-old and a few years later, she was signed to Curb Records. She recorded “Blue” at age 11, but by the time the world heard it, she was 13.
She’s certainly come a long way since the big hair and sequins and matured into a talented, fashionable young woman. LeAnn was a consistent radio star and touring artist through the 90s and early 2000s, releasing several albums and having many singles top the country charts and cross over into pop hits. She’s sold 37 million albums and has won Grammy awards, over a dozen Billboard awards and countless CMA and ACM awards. She provided “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” for the Coyote Ugly soundtrack, where she also played herself.
In 2002 LeAnn Rimes married her former back-up dancer, Dean Sheremet. She fought with, then reconciled with her father. After a hiatus from the spotlight, in the past few years she’s made a comeback. She’s hosted Nashville Star, continued to write and record albums, as well as had time to churn out a children’s book. Her latest album, Family was released this year.
Jessica Andrews
Best Known For: “Who I Am” (The Rosemary’s Granddaughter song)
Jessica Andrews debuted on the country music scene at sweet sixteen with Heart Shaped World in 1999. “I Will Be There for You” from the Dreamworks album also appeared on the Prince of Egypt Nashville soundtrack. In 2000, she won the Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year. And, her first album was successful enough for Dreamworks to release a second album, “Who I Am.” Her sophomore album was more mature. While I was working in radio, I heard that she was dating a slightly older new country singer named Marcel, who also visited our radio station once. I couldn’t believe that Jessica Andrews was growing up before our eyes. This teen singer was dating someone?
So where is the bright green-eyed Jessica Andrews at today? In 2004, Dreamworks Nashville closed its doors. Her fourth album was never released, however according to her official website, she is looking for a home. Andrews, now 21 is still writing, touring and makes appearances on stage with her, now fiancé, Marcel. Read a review of Jessica Andrews’ Who I Am here.
Lila McCann
Best Known For: “Down Came a Blackbird” and “I Wanna Fall in Love”
Lila McCann’s story is different than most teenagers who soared into fame. McCann, very active in her high school, decided to stay in high school and continue cheerleading while opening up for stars like George Strait, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on the weekends. Just like any of her classmates, she just had a weekend and after-school job. She just happened to become somewhat famous for it. Her first radio hit was “Down Came a Blackbird” and then came the second, more popular single, “I Wanna Fall in Love.” Her second album. Something in the Air was released when she was 19, and produced a top five single with “With You.”
So where is Lila McCann now? The Tacoma, Washington native is 24-years-old and still making music. She still active in the CMA Fan Fair activities and her MySpace page is buzzing with fans. She recently contributed a song to Jim Brickman’s album, “The Disney Songbook.”
Billy Gilman
Best Known For: “One Voice” when he was only 11-years-old.
Okay. Woah. That’s all I have to say. I interviewed Billy Gilman when he was a small, prepubescent 12. When I ventured to his official website to see what Billy Gilman was up to these days, I was greeted with a tall young man with bulging biceps. Billy Gilman had an amazing voice, which led to his smash hit, “One Voice” when he was just 11-years-old. In fact, this pre-teen was the youngest person ever, as of 2000, to have a single on the Billboard charts and the youngest country singer ever to earn a gold record. He released a Christmas album (this is what I interviewed him for) thereafter, and one more album before the voice change began to occur.
Rhode Island native Billy Gilman summed up his current career best with this quote from his official website: “I know for many, I am sort of flash frozen in time in their minds – a little 11 year old kid. But a lot went on in my world in those seven years, lots of changes, adjusting and waiting….” In 2006, at age 18, Billy Gilman released a new self-titled, back-to-his-country-roots album. He says he’s found his “new” voice and critics say it resembles a Vince Gill. I took a listen- and wow. Yes, a very rich, mature voice! I think he sounds somewhat similar to Bryan White. Billy Gilman is also the youth chairperson for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and each year, performs and co-hosts at the annual Jerry Lewis telethon.
The Wilkinsons
Best Known For: “26-Cents”
The Wilkinsons are a father-daughter-son trio hailing from Ontario, Canada. The family, Steve, Amanda and Tyler, along with Mom, Chris and younger sister, Kiaya in tow, moved to Nashville so Steve Wilkinson could pursue his songwriting career. Three weeks into America, the trio landed a deal with Giant Records. Their debut album, Nothing But Love was a hit with the single, “26-cents.” Amanda and Tyler were just youngin’s. A few more albums followed, including Here and Now and Highway.
Today, the Wilksons still write and record together, in fact Home was just released this year. However, Amanda also branched out into a solo career. And, they are the stars of their own reality TV show, The Wilkinsons on CMT Canada. My favorite Wilkinsons memory? They played a local fair and when we went backstage to meet the family, we brought a birthday cake for dad Steve Wilkinson with their album cover screened on the cake. They loved it. The pictures were on their website for a while. Great, talented family.
Clark Family Experience
Best Known For: “Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch” and just being from an incredibly large and talented family
The Clark Family Experience is a rootsy group comprised of six musical brothers: Alan, Aaron, Adam, Ashley, Andrew and Austin. When they hit the mainstream scene on Curb Records, the brothers were in their late teens to early twenties. Tim McGraw produced the boys’ debut album. When I was in Nashville and at other industry events, these boys were always sharp dressers- and complete sweethearts. I interviewed Adam prior to a 2003 show at the Scranton Cultural Center and hung out with them for a spell after the show. Adam even let he try to play his mandolin.
What is this band of brothers doing now? Ashley Clark toured as part of Carrie Underwood’s band, lending his mandolin and vocal talent to the American Idol. Austin Clark also toured with Underwood and SHeDAISY, playing pedal steel and dobro. Three of the brothers, Adam, Austin and Ashley went on to win “The Next Great American Band” as The Clark Brothers.
Looking back, it awesome to know that I met all of these artists when they were young and hot. I have a great scrapbook full of radio memories, and now that a decade has past, it’s awesome to still see these multi-talented artists plugging along.
