Miranda Lambert Overview
Miranda Lambert is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter who first made a name for herself on a nationally televised talent show, which she parlayed into a major recording career. With a delicate yet strong voice, an immense talent for writing honest heartfelt songs, and girl-next-door beauty, Lambert has quickly become one of country music’s most respected young artists.

Origins and Early Musical Drive

Born on November 10, 1983 in Lindale, Texas, a small town 90 miles east of Dallas, Lambert’s musical career began in earnest when she was just five years old, appearing on the Johnny High Country Music Review, the same show that helped launch LeAnn Rimes’ career. Lambert’s father, Rick, was a policeman at the time, as well as a singer-songwriter of country music, and he encouraged his talented young daughter to pursue her passion for music.

When Lambert was ten, she attended a Garth Brooks concert in Dallas, which further fanned the flames of her growing obsession with country music. During that time, her family made annual trips to Nashville to attend Fan Fair (now called the CMA Music Festival), and she became an avid autograph collector. At 14 her father purchased her a guitar, but she showed little interest in learning the instrument, an attitude that would soon change.

Lambert’s First Recording Sessions in Nashville

As a young teen, Lambert attended a music business seminar in Nashville, which resulted in her recording a demo of four pop-country singles.

She was not pleased with the songs, which were chosen for her to record by others, and she quickly realized that she needed to learn the guitar so she could write her own material. So she returned to Texas and let her father teach her the instrument.

In addition to her father, Lambert’s musical influences growing up included notable singer-songwriters like Emmylou Harris and Merle Haggard. As her talent grew, so did her early successes. She landed a commercial spot for Ruffles potato chips, a bit part in the comedy film, Slap Her She’s French, and she came in second place out of over 400 hopefuls to portray Tammy Wynette in the musical Stand By Your Man.

Miranda’s High School Days

Longview, Texas is where 17-year old Lambert really honed her musical skills. Her band, Texas Pride, landed a regular gig at the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom, a landmark music venue built in the ‘30s that over the years showcased such superstars as Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Brooks and Dunn, Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

Around this time, Lambert’s family further invested in her career by funding a CD of her music, building a website to promote it, and traveling to various radio stations throughout the Lone Star State to put her music in front of as many people as possible. The family even bought a motor home with a trailer and a complete state-of-the-art sound system to enable her to perform anywhere and everywhere. Shortly after appearing in her high school’s production of Annie Get Your Gun, Lambert left school early to pursue music full-time.

Miranda Dazzles on Nashville Star

Lambert’s first really big break came in January of 2003 when she took first place in the Texas auditions for the nationally televised talent show, Nashville Star. She eventually competed on the show, placing third. This exposure led to her signing her first major recording contract with Epic Records.

In the summer of 2004, Lambert released her debut CD, Kerosene, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Album chart. She wrote or co-wrote eleven of the CD’s twelve songs. Her first single, “Me and Charlie Talking,” was co-written by her father, and it climbed to No. 27 on Billboard’s country chart. Her next three singles were all top 40 country hits, including the album’s title track, “Kerosene,” which hit No. 15 and garnered Lambert three major award nominations, including a Grammy nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Lambert was also nominated for the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award, which is given to country music’s top newcomer.

Lambert’s Successful Move to Columbia

With the closure of Lambert’s Epic label in Nashville, her contract was transferred to Columbia for her sophomore album, 2007’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. She wrote eight of the album’s eleven tracks, including all four of the singles. The first single fizzled on the charts, but the next three, “Famous in a Small Town,” “Gunpowder & Lead” and “More Like Her” all hit the top 20. To promote the album, she toured extensively with Keith Urban, George Strait, Dierks Bentley and Toby Keith.

Lambert released her third CD, Revolution, on September 29, 2009. She wrote all but three songs on the album.

Most Popular Miranda Lambert Songs

• “Gunpowder & Lead”
• “Famous in a Small Town”
• “Kerosene”
• “White Liar”
• “More Like Her”
• “New Strings”
• “Me and Charlie Talking”