Dear Friends,
One of the things I love about Country music is that you can rhyme virtually any two words. I'm not kidding.
Put enough twang, southern drawl, and good-old-boy charm on the words and you can make "derelict trucker" rhyme with "expectant mother." Heck, figure out a way to weave a hound dog and an ex-wife into it and you'll have a song on top of both the Country and Western charts.
In all seriousness, I do love Country music. To quote the song, "I was Country when Country wasn't cool."
I grew up on the Rockabilly greats of yesteryear: the likes of Buddy Holly, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, and Ricky Nelson. As I aged I discovered the more pure Country brilliance of Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton (like many budding young men, my interpretation of "brilliance" was not limited to just vocal quality).
Today I enjoy the work of artists such as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Lonestar, and Rascal Flatts. My attention to "brilliance" has not dissipated either: The Dixie Chicks, Shania Twain, and Tim's old lady Faith Hill are all favorites.
We've been toying with the idea of steering Country with my next album. Watch. I say that now, and I'll end up with 16 tracks of European DJ produced techno-dizzy, Bill Gates tribute, musical disaster instead.
Crossing over genres is always tricky. You don't bite the hand that feeds you. If you want Broadway, I give you Broadway. When the letters and e-mails came in with so many people jazzed up about the rock-tinged RENT highlights from my "Broadway Live!" album, we added a few rock tracks to my next album "Hero's Lullaby."
With the embrace of the title single by County fans, it puts us in an interesting position. There's a definite Country audience out there; at the same time we want to stay faithful to our Broadway and Rock enthusiasts.
How do we make everyone happy? How do we make a Broadway-flavored, Rock, Country masterpiece? Pray for the best and fear the worst, right?
Andrew Lloyd Webber has done it. Elton John has done it. Come to think of it, both did it with Tim Rice as their lyricist I don't suppose Tim is available and just dieing to work on the next Rikki Lee whatever-palooza.
One thing I love about Country music is that is allows you to show you have a sense of humor about yourself. Sometimes that's the best way to meet a challenge – not just in music, but in all the challenges life provides us.
As always, I am your fan for you make my career possible. I feel the love with every card, letter, e-mail, handshake, and hug.
Thank you for your constant support. Thank you for making my life worthwhile.
Even more than your support of me, I give my thanks for your continued support of the civic organizations and charities I endorse and campaign for.
Peace, Love, Trust
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
It's All Relative
Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
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