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10 Questions with ... Whitney Duncan
January 26, 2009
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NAME:Whitney DuncanTITLE:ArtistLABEL:Warner BrosBORN:Scotts Hill, TNRAISED:Scotts Hill, TN
1) So what's a nice girl from East Tennessee doing in Nashville- seriously, you grew up in Scotts Hill, TN. Is the population really like 912, and what is it like living in Music City after growing up in a town like that?
Well, actually it's West Tennessee- and yes, the population is 912. In some ways it's nice living in a city (like shopping and having lots of things to do) and in many ways I miss my small town. Scotts Hill was the perfect place to grow up, and when I build a home it will be out in the country.
2) So where would you take us if we were to do a field trip to Scotts Hill- what are the 'must sees?' Give us a little 'imaginary' tour.
Well, you will definitely have to stop at the only gas station in town to fill up, then to Cafe Magnolia for lunch (have their lasagna). After that we'll head to the elementary school to play a little basketball since we have the coolest gym EVER, then we would go ride four-wheelers out behind my house or at my granddaddy's farm. If you have any shopping to do, there is a Dollar General Store.
3) It seems like you were playing music since you were old enough to walk- is it true you sang for your kindergarten graduation and you were on-stage at Tootsies by the time you were 13? What was that early experience at Tootsies like?
Yes, I sang at my kindergarten graduation. "Step Into The Sunshine" was the name of the song. I sang "Stand By Your Man" at Tootsie's with the house band- I just asked to get up there and sing with them. It was awesome looking at all the pictures of the people that were there before me.
4) Did you always want to do this-how did the dreams begin for you? Your parents must have been very supportive.
The dreams began with me watching Elvis. My parents were very supportive; they took me anywhere that I wanted to go to sing but were never pushy. I always said I would be a singer/songwriter, and I never got side tracked from that dream. I always believed.
5) How old were you when you wrote your first song, and what was it?
I would go around writing songs and poems when I was a little girl (I made my Barbie's perform them). Hopefully I destroyed all the evidence.
I can't remember the first one but I'm sure it was about a boy and I'm sure it was stupid.
6) Your biography describes the initial meeting with producer Mark
Bright as almost this heavenly like intervention- was it magical? Were you aware of his work with people like Carrie Underwood before you met him, and did you audition for him in his office?
It was magical- I'd never found someone that "got" what I wanted to do musically before him. I actually met Mark long before his work on Carrie Underwood, but I was aware of his success with Rascal Flatts and Blackhawk. The first meeting was in his office. I played him some of the songs I had been writing. He quickly became my mentor and one of my best friends.
7) When were you signed to Warner Bros? You had some music come out before that correct?
I was signed to Warner Bros. in late summer of 2007 and began working on the record in Oct. 2007. I had a duet w/ Kenny Rogers back in 2003 on Capitol called "My World's Over" that I co-wrote. It is on his 42 Ultimate Hits CD.
8) So how excited are you about your debut Warner Bros. album 'Right Road Now' coming out in early 2009? Can you tell us what we can expect to hear- you wrote or co-wrote everything, is that right?
I am so excited about this record and could not be more proud of it! I co-wrote the whole album, so the songs are very personal to me. There are so many different emotions in this album, whatever mood you're in, you can find a song for it.
9) I don't mean this in a negative way, but you did a lot of writing with people like Hillary Lindsay and Brett James, and they are certainly wonderful writers- but their stuff is on a lot of albums right now. How did you make sure that your songs stood out and are different?
I did write with some incredible writers, but just having Mark Bright & John Shanks in the room at the same time gave it a sense of individuality right off the bat. The reason we chose the songs we did was because they are so me.
10) People will be reading this after the holidays but we have to mention the Christmas song you did, "All I Want For Christmas Is You." What made you pick it, and were you bothered at all that the song is already huge by Mariah Carey? You nailed it by the way- great job!
I picked "All I Want For Christmas Is You" because it's one of my favorites that I listen to every year. I knew it would be difficult to make such a pop song country (not to mention sung & written by one of the best singers ever). No one had ever done it country and that's one of the reasons I wanted to give it a shot.
Bonus Questions
1) That's an awesome looking blue Fender you play- do you play a lot during your shows? And did you play much on the album? Also, who are some of your guitar heroes, from any genre?
It's a Stratocaster - Lake Placid Blue (my favorite color). I do play in my show but did not play on the record. My three guitar heroes are: Bonnie Raitt, who made it cool for a girl to play, Johnny Lang and John Shanks (my producer).
2) Name three albums (in any genre) that influenced you.
"Bringing Down The Horse" -The Wallflowers
"Greatest Hits 3" - John Mellencamp
"The Woman In Me" - Shania Twain3) What are you rockin' to in your iPod? We see you jogging all the time- what are you listening to?
Bruce Springsteen, Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Matchbox 20, Shania Twain, Keith Urban.
4) You were an all-star softball pitcher in school. Do you still have the chance to get out and play?
I still go to the field and throw some with my dad. I love it and miss it. Hopefully I'll get to play some at the CMA softball game.
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