Myra Pearce

Singer Myra Pearce may be new to Jackson, but she obviously is an old hand at country-Western, as she proves on her recently released album, Tell Me Something New.

After seven years in Nashville, Pearce and husband/manager Marcus Grinestaff recently decided to make Jackson their home base between performances on the county fair and rodeo circuit.

"I worked hard for a long time in Nashville, wanting to make an album with (C-W producer Norro) Wilson," said Pearce. "I did everything he told me to, getting to know songwriters and studio musicians, and four years later he agreed to produce my record. I feel really honored that the man who produces people like Janie Frickie, Reba McIntire and Charlie Pride would work with me."

Wilson, in turn, has called Pearce "unique, talented and Western." From the first cut on Tell Me Something New, it's obvious that Pearce is talented. With a voice reminiscent of Patsy Cline and a vivacious style like Tammy Wynette, Pearce has an original, strong, rich sound.

"My favorite singers when I was growing up were Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and Connie Smith," she said. "And they were influenced by Patsy Cline. I just loved their music."

Their influence on Pearce is telling. In fact, two songs Pearce recorded were written by Harlan Howard, author of Cline's hit "I Fall to Pieces."

"These Lips Don't Know How (To Say Goodbye)" has a very traditional cowboy arrangement while "Bad Times" sounds like a boogie-woogie tune with a cowboy beat.

Another songwriter Johnny Mears provided Pearce with her favorite songs on the album. She called the title cut "cosmopolitan county-Western" and said "Drag Your Own Wagon," was "real Western swing." In fact, I was sure the song was a cowboy classic, but Pearce is the first to record it.

The only C-W oldie on the album is "Honky Tonk Angels," a slow (what else) honky tonk tune. The other songs range from an upbeat "Tried and True" to an angry "Whose Heartache Is This Anyway."

Like so many other C-W artists, Pearce keeps her heart on her sleeve, offering a repertoire of love songs about him leaving, her leaving, him loving someone else, her waiting, him being married, etc. In fact, only one tune, "Tried and True," gives listeners the least bit of hope about love C-W style.

Still, this is a very upbeat album, not in the least depressing to listen to, with some great dancing tunes. Pearce's backup band is tight and professional, adding to her performance rather than fighting for attention. Especially fine are "Hoot" Hester on fiddle, Hal Rugg on steel guitar, Gary Primm on piano and Pete Wade on electric guitar.

Spending five months in the Nashville studio was exciting and informative, she said, especially when she and the songwriters studio musicians exchanged suggestions.

"When it comes together in the studio, it's really magic," said Pearce. "But entertaining people is the most rewarding part of being in music."

Pearce said she hopes to set up a few gigs in Jackson early this summer, and may play with Jerry Linn and Brent Moyer if schedules work out. "I'm really enthused about the musicians here."