Factual
Amanda Holden is in America’s heartland, on a mission to live a dream life as a country singer. She meets some of the genre’s biggest names, and tries to cut it as a country singer alongside real stars.
Amanda arrives in Nashville, epicentre of the billion dollar country music business, which is reportedly home to more musicians per square inch than anywhere else in the world. She attends the Americana Music Awards at the Ryman Auditorium and on arrival says: “This is the mother church of country music; this is where Johnny Cash met June.”
Amanda is keen to understand what goes into writing a country song so she meets Gordon Kennedy, who co-wrote the Grammy award winning song ‘Change the World’ for Eric Clapton and over a dozen songs for Garth Brooks, the biggest country singer in the world. He talks her through the latest song he’s written and Amanda says: “Gordon works with the classic country themes of longing, losing, loving and leaving. He manages to tell it truthfully and simply.”
Amanda wants to learn more about the country legends of the past, and meets up with Johnny Cash’s long term friend and collaborator Cowboy Jack Clement. He says: “[Johnny] was one of my best friends…he was a great guy, I loved him. Still do.”
Amanda is invited to perform at the Bluebird Café, one of Nashville’s most prestigious venues but doesn’t feel like she’s ready. To prepare she turns to none other than Kenny Rogers. He says: “If you really, truly want to do this, find a song that says something you would like to say.”
Amanda turns to Gordon and his partner Ben to help her find the perfect country song. Gordon plays her a ballad they’ve written entitled ‘Ladders and Windows’ and Amanda says: “I love this, I could cry immediately.”
With only 24 hours before her booking at the Bluebird, Amanda turns to vocal coach Janet Kenyon to learn how to make her singing voice more country.
At the Bluebird Amanda admits that she’s nervous and spots country music expert Bob Harris in the crowd. After a successful performance, Bob says; “When you are in front of an audience that’s this discerning that’s a very, very big thing. Truly, I really enjoyed it.”
Before journeying to Austin, Texas, Amanda meets Johnny Cash’s sister, Joanne, who says: “I remember the day Johnny said, ‘One day I’m going to sing on the radio.’ And the rest is history.”
Amanda visits Johnny’s grave next to his wife June Carter Cash’s, and pays her respects with Joanne.
Amanda meets up with Ray Benson who has sung with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and even Barack Obama ,who says: “We want to show you country music, Texas style. The main difference [from Nashville] is that Texas music is based on dances…I suggest you take a short trip to Bandera, Texas which is the cowboy capital of the world…And while you’re down there get a cowboy hat!”
Having found the perfect hat in Bandera, Amanda heads off to watch some of the best country music acts and persuades the Texas Tournedos and honky-tonk singer Dale Watson into performing with her and Ray back in Austin.
Ray and Amanda start to discuss songs for their show, but instead of heading home to practise she’s offered the chance to meet Jerry Jeff Walker who wrote the song Mr Bojangles and even performs the song just for her.
The venue for Amanda’s performance with Ray, Dale and the Texas Tornadoes is the Broken Spoke, a Texas institution and outside on the morning of her big gig Amanda says: “It feel like I’m in a dream and I’ve been asked to sing a song and don’t know the words and absolutely everyone’s going to be there.”
It’s Amanda’s moment of truth, and Ray introduces her to the Broken Spoke audience saying, “This lady is normally a judge on a talent show but we’ve told her she’s not gonna judge us by golly!” After singing ‘Old Fashioned Love’ with Ray, Amanda just has time for a quick costume change before her rendition of ‘Country Roads’.
Looking back on her experience she says: “If only for one night, I’ve been country and lived my dream.”
Last edited: Friday, 29 January 2010
