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Out On Her Own
11/01/2000 2:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Nancy Brooks
With her 18th birthday behind her, LeAnn Rimes is a new woman. Self-described as "a bit more mature," Rimes has her goals and sights set sky-high. She's even sporting a different look. "Well, I've grown up," she beams when asked about her new style. "People have seen me since I was 13, and I've kind of grown up in front of everyone's eyes. So I guess my new look is a little more moderate and a little bit more edgy. I've been working out in the gym and coming into my own. This is just me now. I'm not going for anything specific, it's just the clothes that I like and it's what's coming out for me."
Rimes's new venture into the world of music is expected to be a full-blown pop album. However, Rimes's camp is avoiding the word "pop" and calling the new work simply "a LeAnn record." It's her first studio project not involving her estranged father and former producer, Wilbur Rimes; the singer has instead teamed up with R&B sensation Brian McKnight to co-produce and write the new album. "I'm producing most of the album and writing most of it myself," says LeAnn matter-of-factly. "I wrote a couple of songs with Brian McKnight, and he's producing a couple of things. You actually get to see me as a true artist now," she offers. "It will be a little bit different than before. I'm really taking a true involvement in this album."
If Rimes does take the plunge into pop music, the new fans will have to share her with country music fans, because her country roots run deep. "I think a lot of people have always said, since 'How Do I Live' crossed over, that I'm really going pop and that's all I'm going to do now," explains Rimes. "Yes, that's definitely something that I want to pursue, but it's not all I'm going to do."
Actually, the upcoming (and as yet untitled) record follows one of Rimes's most traditional country projects to date, the 1999 self-titled album that featured the top 10 single "Big Deal" and covers of super classics like Patsy Cline's "Crazy" and "I Fall To Pieces." "When I first came out with Blue, everyone compared me to Patsy Cline, which is the biggest honor, 'cause I've always looked up to her," the young singer confesses. "So, when I did 'Crazy,' I really went back and listened to Patsy Cline's version, because I wanted to do it justice for her and for everyone listening to the song. And when I was in [the studio], I was thinking about what she must have been feeling at the time, and it was just so emotional. There is a lot of hurt and a lot of pain in those songs. It's just amazing."
Rimes used her trip back to the "old country" in hopes of educating a new generation of country music fans about the vintage sound. "I think singing traditional country is wonderful, because I'm bringing it to my generation and to the younger kids," says the superstar. "I'm also bringing it back to a generation that's heard it all their life. So I think it is music for everyone."
Pressed harder on the subject, LeAnn reveals that she considers herself on "a mission to bring the older sound of country back. Country music has evolved into this new sound. It's a lot more pop or rock than country-sounding. But I think there's tons of room for older artists. George Jones is a great example of someone coming out with some really great stuff recently."
Earlier this year, the music stopped for Rimes for a short while, when she was forced to postpone her tour plans due to illness. Feeling much better now, Rimes is back on the road. "This is like a small tour where we get out and get to see the fans," says Rimes. "Next year, we'll have the whole shebang, the big tour." With the new tour comes a slightly different backdrop. "It's kind of like a fairytale whimsical/'60s psychedelic set," Rimes says of her stage scenery. "It's very colorful and very fun."
And then there is the subject of acting. After appearing as herself in the summer movie Coyote Ugly, Rimes is hoping to get the cameras rolling on another feature film project. "I'm developing a film right now with Warner Bros. called Emily's Song," the Los Angeles resident notes. "I'm kind of trying to keep it quiet, but we will hopefully be filming some time soon."
With movies and music and the daily task of keeping her business affairs in order, Rimes has a lot on her mind these days, but the famous teenager still manages to find some time to just relax. "I kickbox," says Rimes of her daily stress-relief routine. "It's a lot of fun. It's a great way to take your aggressions out."
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