Versatile American Idol Alum Bringing Headlining Tour to Charleston Music Hall
By: Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer
It’s been more than a decade (2011) since Georgia native Lauren Alaina was runner up to Scotty McCreery on the 10th season of American Idol. Although she didn’t win the singing competition, her star has been rising ever since, and not just with her musical talent.
Her debut studio album, ‘Wildflower’, was released in October 2011. Her second album, ‘Road Less Traveled’ followed in 2017. Alaina achieved her first No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart with the album’s title track. Her second No. 1 came later that year when she simultaneously topped five Billboard charts with her friend and former classmate Kane Brown on their duet “What Ifs”.
Although she’s not quite reached superstar status, Alaina is happy with the way her career is going. A professed Christian, Alaina accepts everything in God’s timing. “I’ve been blessed and continue to be blessed. I want God’s will to be carried out in my life and in my career.”
While COVID put a damper on live performances during the past two years, Alaina says she wasn’t idle. “I kept busy during the pandemic. I wrote a book, wrote and recorded new music, was in a movie, and filmed a TV show which is currently running on CBS. As far as live shows I did a few here and there, but I certainly didn’t tour like before the pandemic. Occasionally I performed music online. So, all in all I kept pretty busy.”
Over the past decade Alaina has paid her dues opening for veterans such as Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, Sugarland, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, but admits it’s time to step out on her own. “I live for live music. It makes me who I am. It’s a big part of my spirit and being. I missed being out there. Sadly, we lost a good bit of connectivity during the last couple of years, and we all need to get that back.”
Although she’s playing smaller venues, Alaina is embarking on her first ever real tour where she’s the main attraction. “I’ve been a part of many stadium tours, where you’re given maybe 20 or 30 minutes, and I get it, that’s how we cut our teeth in this industry, but I also know they are coming out for the headlining artist.”
She’s scheduled to play the 900 plus seat Charleston Music Hall in mid-April. “I’m looking forward to playing these intimate rooms, because the people are my people. They are coming out to see me. I’m really excited to be out on the road in this way.”
Alaina admits her most recent single ‘It Was Me’ off her third studio album ‘Sitting Pretty on Top of the World’ (Sept 2021) is a twist on breakup songs. “I’m really proud of that song. Most breakup songs are about calling the other person out, but that’s not where this song comes from. It took me a couple years to write it because it’s more personal. The point is, I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know me. I had to find a place of healing.”
Not unlike many songwriters, Alaina finds motivation from what’s happening around her. “I draw inspiration from everywhere. Ideas just pop into my head, and who knows they just might be future lyrics. I like to say I’m a walking talking songwriter. I’m constantly writing, so much that I have to turn it off sometimes.”
The pandemic also allowed her to pen her first ever book. “The opportunity came to me. I didn’t sit down and say I want to write a book. It was Harper Collins idea. They knew lots of stuff about my faith and from my podcasts. So, they sent me GIF books to read, and after they came back and said would I be interested in doing a book.”
She didn’t commit right away, but after careful consideration and prayer Alaina reasoned she could pull it off. “I’m a songwriter but writing a book is different. Once I decided this was something I was going to take on, I asked myself ‘if I was going to write a book what would it deal with’. I wanted it to be a book that inspires people.”
The finished product turned out to be ‘Getting Good at Being You’, a practical guide about loving who God made you to be. “This has been one of my favorite projects so far. It was challenging and overwhelming but so much fun to do. My Christian faith is very important to me, and I’m not afraid to share that. God placed that opportunity in front of me.”
Writing and recording music may be her first love but since proving herself and portraying as a positive role model, Alaina has ventured into several mediums. In 2017 she appeared in the made for TV movie ‘Road Less Traveled’, which carries the same title as her second studio album. Last year she starred in the Hallmark Channel movie ‘Roadhouse Romance‘. In 2019 she competed in season 28 of Dancing with the Stars placing fourth in the finals.
She can currently be seen on the CBS reality show ‘Beyond the Edge’ where participants live in the Panamanian jungle of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago for 14 days and compete as teams to raise money for charitable organizations. “That was crazy different, but a whole lot of fun. It’s basically a survival show. I had a lot of fun shooting that.”
CBS asserts it’s not another Survivor show, rather for two weeks, celebrities will see if they have the grit to withstand torrential downpours, scorching heat and deadly wildlife while living in the exotic Panama jungle. “It was a little outside my comfort zone, but I had an absolute blast.”
Among the other contestants on the show are country singer Craig Morton, former supermodel Paulina Porizkova, actress Jodie Sweetin, and former NFL greats Ray Lewis and Mike Singletary. Hosting Beyond the Edge season 1 is sports announcer and commentator, Mauro Ranallo. Viewers will recognize Ranallo from WWE SmackDown and and Showtime Championship Boxing. Alaina shared no inside info on how the competition played out.
Lauren competed on ‘Beyond the Edge’ for The Next Door, a faith-based non-profit organization that serves women struggling with addiction. “I always seek out projects that have the ability to entertain and hopefully bring about something good. I’ve been blessed and I want to share my blessings through my faith, whether that’s through song, a book, television or on stage.”
Among Alaina’s other songs that have made either the Top 40 on the country or pop charts are ‘Like My Mother Does’, ‘Georgia Peaches’, ‘Eighteen Inches’, ‘Barefoot & Buckwild’, and ‘Road Less Traveled‘ which she co-wrote with Megan Trainor and Jesse Frasure reaching number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Her debut album ‘Wildflower’ reached No.5 on the US Album charts. Alaina became the only female to top both the Billboard Country Airplay chart (with her own single “Road Less Traveled”) and Hot Country Songs chart (featured on Kane Brown’s “What Ifs”). A nice resume for young woman who is just 27 years old. “God has blessed me all along. I hope and pray I’m ready for the next level. No matter what lies ahead, I’m enjoying the ride. I believe with all my heart; I was meant to be an entertainer.”
Over the past 11 years Alaina has slowly made her mark in country music. Along the way she’s earned awards for Best New Artist, Breakout Artist of the Year, Breakout Video, and other accolades from the Academy of Country Music (ACM), Country Music Television (CMT), and at the CMA’s (Country Music Association). With more than 20 nominations including eight wins the achievement she’s most proud of is becoming a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry, an honor bestowed on her this past December.
“It has been my biggest goal and dream in my life to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. My dad grew up playing banjo and dreamed of stepping on the stage. I guess you can say I inherited his love and appreciation for that magical stage. I will never be prouder of any accomplishment in my career than that one.”
Alaina returns to Charleston later this month. This is not her first trip to the Holy City. “Several years ago, I played a club on the beach (The Windjammer). That was a fun show.” Her last visit to Charleston was during a singer songwriter round robin concert at the Hanahan Amphitheatre featuring Scotty McCreery and Carly Pearce. “That was an awesome show as well. I love Scotty. We’ve come a long way together. And Carly has just taken the industry by storm. Happy for both of them.”
Lauren Alaina will bring her ‘Top Of the World Tour’ to the Charleston Music Hall on Friday April 15th with special quest Spencer Crandall. “It’s been two years and I’m ready. I think it’s time to gather together. It’s time to concentrate on new music and playing the songs that got me to this point already.”
For more on ‘Getting Good at Being You’ click on the following link, https://holycitysinner.com/2022/01/12/lauren-alaina-offers-up-divine-inspiration-in-getting-good-at-being-you/
