New Artist Spotlight - Catherine Britt

New Artist Spotlight: Catherine Britt

By Amanda Eckard

Catherine Britt may be considered a newcomer by industry standards, but the Australian already has one very famous fan - Sir Elton John.

John was touring in Australia when a friend called to tell Britt that the British pop singer was mentioning her name on all the talk shows. Apparently, John walked into a record shop where the clerk recommended Britt's 2001 independent album Dusty Smiles and Heartbreak Cures. After the first listen, John was hooked and couldn't help but spread the word.

That reaction seems to follow Britt everywhere she goes. When she was 11, Britt went to a Bill Chambers (Kasey Chambers' father) concert and requested the Aussie legend play a Jimmie Rodgers song. Chambers was shocked that an 11-year-old knew Jimmie Rodgers songs and invited her onstage to sing "T.B. Blues." Chambers later became her producer.

After joining him for the last show of his Australian tour, John asked Britt if she had any contacts in the United States. When she said no, John picked up the phone. Within days Britt had three offers.

RCA Label Group Chairman Joe Galante flew Britt and her family to Nashville and signed her after listening to a couple of songs.

Britt's debut album Too Far Gone, produced by Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, George Jones), features the duet with John, "Where We Both Say Goodbye."

IN HER OWN WORDS:

If you could go back in time what era would you visit and why? "I would visit Hank Williams when he was at his happiest (around 1948). When he was living in Louisiana, doing the Louisiana Hayride weekly; before he came to Nashville and became massive. That whole year he was sober and happily living with Audrey and Lycrecia with Audrey pregnant with Hank Jr."

What moment in your life would you relive if you could? "Either singing on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time or the first time meeting Elton John."

Do you have a lucky charm? "I don't think I have one. Maybe my Hank tattoo ... it's always helped in the past when I needed it."

What does Country Music mean to you? "One word - EVERYTHING."

On the Web: www.catherinebritt.com

September 6, 2005