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New Artist Spotlight: Whitney Duncan
by Bob Doerschuk
When
Whitney Duncan left her hometown of Scotts Hill, Tenn., she took little
with her other than a soulful voice, equal parts rawhide and honey, and a
determination to seek her musical fortune. It took her a while to find it in the
form of Mark Bright, who was so impressed with her that he shared the
news with his friend John Shanks. Just like that, the two Music Row
veterans were onboard to advise, write with and produce their discovery.
Whitney was just 18 at the time, though she had begun chasing her dream years
before. After singing at her kindergarten graduation, she never looked back and
began performing in church, at festivals, parties and barbecues, and
participating in a talent contest at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, where she took
third place in an all-ages competition.
Her first trip to Nashville came in her early teens. Over the next few years she
was a regular in town, collaborating with Chris Tompkins (“Before
He Cheats”) and other top writers and even recording and touring with
Kenny Rogers.
The big break came, though, when she teamed with Bright and Shanks
on her Warner Bros. debut album, Right Road Now. On all 11 tracks, each
one co-authored by Whitney, she displays rock-solid writing technique and a
confidence that practically leaps from the disc. From the declamatory rhythm of
the vocal-and-drum passages on “The Bed That You Made” to the steady
groove and masterfully crafted hook that drive the first single, “When I Said I
Would,” written by Duncan, Shanks and Gordie Sampson, Duncan demands and
deserves attention as a fully-formed artist.
IN HER OWN WORDS: Whitney Duncan Q&A
BOOK ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND
“Holy Bible.”
DREAM DUET PARTNER
“John Mellencamp or Bruce Springsteen.”
INFLUENCES
“Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tanya Tucker, Shania Twain, John Mellencamp and Bonnie Raitt.”
MUSICAL HERO
"Elvis"
PET PEEVE
“People being rude at the airport and bad drivers.”
SONG YOU WISH YOU WROTE
“‘The Story’ by Brandi Carlile.”
SONG YOU'D LOVE TO COVER
“‘Authority Song’ by John Mellencamp.”
WHAT YOU'D BE IF YOU WEREN'T AN ARTIST
“Homeless.”
WHAT ACTOR WOULD PORTRAY YOU IN A BIOPIC ABOUT YOUR LIFE
“Kate Hudson.”
On the Web: www.whitneyduncan.com
© 2009 CMA Close Up® News / Country Music Association®, Inc
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