Lauren Alexander,
Texas Country Music
WHAT THE PRESS HAS TO SAY
Van Zandt County Line magazine.
December 2005
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Might be a little early for all that but I guess it all depends on what time of the month you find this magazine on the newsstand doesn’t it. At any rate, Happy Holidays!!
Now, down to business.
I often have that honor and privilege of hearing new music before anyone else does. Besides making me feel important, it puts me on the ground floor of what, in some cases, could be something great.
Such was the case when I was approached by Mike Alexander to listen to the freshly mixed album project his daughter Lauren Alexander had been working on for months. The wear and tear of months of studio work was showing on his face as he handed me an unlabeled CD that was still warm from being fresh out of the CD burner. He told me that the studio had just finished 53 hours of mixing.
FIFTY-THREE HOURS!!??? Holy cow!
If anybody can stare at a recording console that long, they deserve the opinion of a radio programmer. We popped the CD in and the music started flowing.
I had heard Lauren Alexander before. I had been there when on a talent show she got up and won a battle with shyness to timidly perform “Cowboy’s Sweetheart” at the tender age of 10 years old. I was there two years later when she WON a singing contest belting out that some song.
What stood out to me was how determined he father, Mike, was to make this dream happen. But, like with all young teen stars, I was curious. Was it her dream…or his? I had the opportunity to speak to Lauren alone just before she went on stage at that singing contest she won. “Is this what you really want for your life…to be a singer?” I asked. And with sincere conviction she told me that it was and that she enjoyed it thoroughly. This was definitely HER dream!
That was proven when a few months later I had Mike sitting in my office as we listened to her new CD. Lauren wrote two of the songs on the album, herself. “Lil’ Sis” is a song about her friendship with her little sister, Jessica. Lauren’s other writer contribution is “Goodbye”, which is a soulful well-produced epic, which stands out among all the other cuts on the CD as the one she probably “felt” the most. Hearing the masterful writing of this young girl makes me curious as to what the song was about.
Other highlights include Lauren’s take on Miranda Lambert’s “What In The World” and two surefire hits, “You Love Me” and “Fairy Tale”. Stations playing Texas Music will likely spin the leavin’ song “Run From Your Memory”.
Lauren and her writers and producers at Rosewood Studios and Salt Creek Records have put out something that far surpasses anything that any other local artist ever produced at this stage in their career. Rosewood is that same studio Leann Rhimes still uses for all her Curb Records releases and Gary Leach is one of the top writers and producers in the area. This album has the same or better production quality as anything you’ll get out of Nashville these days, and it is done while remembering that this is COUNTRY music and this is a young COUNTRY girl performing these songs. The songs were masterfully chosen. None of them are about subjects beyond Lauren’s experience in life and they are all within her vocal capability. In other words, she is not trying to show off her pipes with a tired rendition of “With A Broken Wing” like so many young female artists feel the need to do.
Lauren is well aware of her age and her experience, but the powers-that-be at Salt Creek Records haven’t used the worn out “She’s Only Thirteen” gimmick that we heard SO much in the years following Leann Rhimes rise to stardom. They wisely put good music out by a girl who just happens to be only thirteen.
I’ve said it before and I will beg you again
to support independent Texas Music and get a copy of Lauren’s CD. This girl is
going places very fast. Besides, if you just want something really good to
listen to, this album will take up a space in your CD changer for quite a while.
Get Lauren’s product and read all about her at www.laurenalexander.com.
Country Roads Bob Mauldin
Texas Music Fest January 16, 2005
12 year old Lauren Alexander has already spent half her life on the stage. Hailing from Bullard, Texas Lauren began singing at the age of 6 and has since logged hundreds of performances , Between performances, Lauren attends school and works on her guitar and songwriting skills. This in one to watch as she takes the Texas Music scene by storm.
Ennis Daily News, Friday January 14 2005
Red Moon hosts Lauren Alexander
Lauren Alexander has already spent half her life on stage. she began singing at age 6 and hasn't stopped since . In 2004 Lauren logged more than 100 performances an impressive total for a twelve year old girl from Bullard. But once listeners here her voice, the understand why this girl is in high demand. Ennis residents will have a chance to check her out first hand this Friday as Lauren headlines at the Red Moon Cafe. She is already familiar with the Red Moon Stage thanks to a handful of benefits she has sung there, but this will be her first headlining gig at the local venue. I think they're in for something more than what they have seen out of her before," said Mike Alexander Laurens father. Lauren has performances almost every weekend, sometimes two or three. this weekend she has two stops at the Red Moon Friday night and and Sunday and maybe in Ft Worth Saturday evening. Lauren has already has dates booked out as far out as June. Between performances Lauren attends school and works on her guitar and songwriting skills. she hopes to make music her career, and if you those who have heard her sing , She's well on her way.
September 15, 2004 Bullard Weekly News
11 YEAR OLD BULLARD NATIVE LAUREN
ALEXANDER TO GIVE FREE CONCERT AT
It was the Fall of ’98 when Lauren Alexander first took the stage. From that moment things seemed to change. From a normal 6 year old there was a desire to do something a little bit different. The attention from the audience seemed to fuel the fire that was growing. That cloudy Sunday in church was the start of what now seems an inevitable career in the music business. At only 11 Lauren displays the confidence of someone twice her age. Her ability as a vocalist has been compared to artists such as Le Ann Rimes, Brenda Lee and a host of others. Lauren performs somewhere most every week and for 2004 its two or three places a week. “Lauren has bookings through June of 2005 already” says her mother and booking agent Debi Alexander. Lauren is making her mark as a vocal entertainer and hopes to make music her business. Lauren has opened for Dan Seals, and performed as an opening act for Pat Green at this years Cattle Barons Gala. She will be the opening act for Asleep At The Wheel at this Years Festival on the Square
The entry fee to this years Festival will not begin until after Lauren and her band performs
September 16, 2004 Tyler Morning Telegraph
Asleep on the Wheel is scheduled to take the festival stage from 8:30-10 p.m. Before the headliner, amateur song stylists are invited to take a shot at warming up the crowd with karaoke, from 6-8 p.m. Dance band Loco Joe will play out the night from 10:30 p.m.-midnight. From 4-5:30 p.m., 11-year-old country singer Lauren Alexander of Bullard is scheduled to take the stage with her band.
Singing since age 6, Ms. Alexander performed in more than 60 venues in 2003 alone, with another 100 planned by the end of this year.
A budding guitarist and songwriter, she performs monthly at the Fort Worth Stockyards as part of the Cow-town Opry Buckaroos and has been featured at the Johnnie High Country Music Revue, Gladewater's Saturday Night Opry, Rodeo City Music Hall in Mesquite and the Dogwood City Gospel Fest, which she co-hosts the first Friday of each month.
Recent highlights of the Bullard Intermediate School student's performance resume include the Tyler Cattle Barons' Gala in June, scheduled as the opening act for headliner Pat Green but performing a complete set once Green canceled his appearance due to weather; opening for Dan Seals, and taking the stage as one of the spotlight acts at Bullard's Red, White and Blue Festival. In addition to her musical prowess, Ms. Alexander also reigns as Henderson County International Miss. The East Texas State Fair Talent Search Showcase has become a tradition for Ms. Alexander, as she has placed among the top three in her division for the last two years.
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June 16, 2004 Bullard Weekly News
Rains Cannot Stop Bullard Performer
Eleven-year old country singer Lauren Alexander
of Bullard did not let the storms blow away her chance to perform at this Year's
Cattle Barons Gala. Because of the storms , she provided the only live musical
entertainment for the Gala.
When the rain began, the dance band Out of Phase quickly
packed up their equipment and left. Pat Green also cancelled . Alexander who was
backed by members the Brazos Valley Band quickly tore down and re-setup
under the VIP tent there, She went from being the opening act to the main act. "I
felt honored that the event organizers asked me to Play" Alexander
said Alexander has performed publicly since the age of six. In 2003, she
performed at more than 60 venues and will top 100 for 2004. With Numerous accomplishments
she says she is headed in the right direction. She is working on her guitar and
song writing. She opened for Dan Seals in 2002 but says her 3 shows at this
years Cattle Barons Gala is by far her largest. Alexander performs every month
in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards as a member of the Cowtown Opry Buckaroos.
She also performs at churches parades benefits , charities and community events.
She has been featured on the Johnnie High Country Music Review , The Gladewater
Opry and the Rodeo City Music Hall. She is a member of the cowtown Fort Worth
Opry and Co Hosts the Dogwood city Gospel fest the First Friday of each
month. In spite of the busy performance schedule she does not let her love
of music, guitar and song writing get in the way of her school work. she still
stay on the honor roll at Bullard Middle School.
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May 30, 2004 Tyler Morning Telegraph
Organizers for the 17th annual Cattle Barons' Gala have announced country star Pat Green will be the headline entertainer for the American Cancer Society benefit, scheduled for Saturday at Crowded 6 Ranch.
"We have been waiting to announce our entertainer for months," Gala Co-Chair Terri Smith said. "It has been worth the wait. Pat Green is a fabulous musician and performer, and we know people are just going to love him and his music."
Green tops a bill that also includes award-winning 11-year-old country singer Lauren Alexander of Bullard, along with Out of Phase, a veteran dance band based in the star's native San Antonio.
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