At heart, Womack Relishes Coming Full Circle
Tonya Parker Morrison
December 09, 2006
She may look glamorous onstage - long golden hair cascading down her back, designer gown flowing in the breeze of a concert hall - but at heart, she's more earth mother than difficult diva.
"No matter what has happened or will happen in my career, at my core, I'm still just that little barefoot girl from Texas," she said with a light-hearted laugh during a phone interview.
"I don't think I could ever fake myself into believing anything else."
That's just the way her fans like it.
While the rest of the country music world may be marching to the rhythm of a more contemporary beat, Womack is happy to be tagged "old school." In fact, listening to her latest, "There's More Where That Came From," is like turning on your grandparents' old 45 rpm record player and spinning something from Tammy Wynette.
Though she is well known for the inspiring smash "I Hope You Dance," Womack is the first to note she is just as likely to crank out a love-gone-wrong song as a hopeful romantic ditty.
For example, her newest release, "Finding My Way Back Home," (out in August 2006) is already raising a ruckous among country music fans. Some of the hubbub is no doubt due to special guest stars like Randy Rogers, Stoney LaRue and his band, as well as members of Reckless Kelly and even her 7-year-old daughter, Anna Lise.
Performing new songs live will be a welcomed change for Womack, who admittedly tires of doing the same material over and over again.
"I do get tired of singing some songs, sure," she said. "It's not just that one ('I Hope You Dance'), but a lot of the older songs. Sometimes you just get up there, and you're like 'Ugh,' but then you get up onstage and look out at the crowd, and then everything just falls into place."
Before heading out this year, she got to sample that feeling of musical kismet as the supporting act on Toby Keith's "Big Throwdown Tour II."
She shared supporting duties on Keith's tour with Shooter Jennings, son of country legend Waylon Jennings.
Having more than one opening act, in addition to the limited stage time, kept the show "fresh and energectic." It also achieved the ultimate mission of an opening act - getting the audience ready and roarin' for the main act to take over.
Though it took some major prodding, the modest performer did finally dish on how Keith is in person.
She said that despite the larger-than-life figure he cuts in the media, he is really just a big softie. But don't tell him that.
"I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn that Toby is real sweet, but I'm not sure he wants everyone to know that about him," she joked.
"He comes off as kinda gruff to some, but he's just a big ol' teddy bear."
Jennings and Keith are just the latest in a long line of artists Womack has worked with, including George Strait on his latest, "Somewhere Down in Texas." The two paired up for a song co-written by Womack called "Good News, Bad News," which won best single honors at the 2005 CMTs.
Awards:
2005
Country Music Association (CMA) Award
Single of the Year
"I May Hate Myself In the Morning"
Country Music Association (CMA) Award
Album of the Year
There’s More Where That Came From"
Country Music Association (CMA) Award
Best Musical Event
Good News, Bad News” with George Strait
2002
Grammy Award
Country Vocal Event of the Year
"Mendocino County Line" with Willie Nelson
Country Music Association (CMA) Award
Vocal Event of the Year
Mendocino County Line” with Willie Nelson
Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award
Vocal Event of the Year
Mendocino County Line” with Willie Nelson
2001
Grammy Award
Best Country Song
I Hope You Dance”
CMA Award
Female Vocalist of the Year
Billboard Award
Adult Contemporary Song of the Year
I Hope You Dance”
2000
ACM Award
Single of the Year
I Hope You Dance”
ACM Award
Song of the Year
I Hope You Dance”
ACM Award
Vocal Event of the Year
I Hope You Dance”
CMA Award
Song of the Year
I Hope You Dance”
CMA Award
Single of the Year
I Hope You Dance”
1998
American Music Association (AMA) Award
Favorite New Country Artist
1997
ACM Top New Female Vocalist
British Country Music Award
Best International Country Album of the Year