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Shelby Lynne
Shelby Lynne
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By the time Shelby Lynne won her Best New Artist Grammy, she'd already completed six albums and had over a decade of recording experience under her belt. Yet in a way, the award was appropriate, since I Am Shelby Lynne was the album that finally found her taking control of her music, following years of casting about in search of an identity. Lynne's work ranged through country, blues, Southern soul, roots rock, Western swing, jazz, and adult contemporary pop; naturally, that eclecticism made her difficult to market, and it also resulted in pressure to record more commercial, radio-friendly material that didn't really suit her. Once Lynne put all the pieces together, she found herself embraced not by the country mainstream, but by rock critics, British audiences, and the alt-country/Americana crowd.

Lynne was born Shelby Lynne Moorer in Quantico, VA, in 1968 and grew up mostly in Jackson, AL. Her father was a local bandleader and her mother a harmony-singing teacher, and as children, she and her younger sister Allison -- later a country recording artist in her own right -- sometimes joined their parents on-stage to sing along. However, Lynne's father was a violent alcoholic who at one point had her thrown in jail; when Lynne was 17, he shot his wife dead in the family's driveway, then turned the gun on himself while his daughters looked on. Lynne took charge of raising her sister and married her high-school sweetheart (albeit briefly) prior to their move to Nashville. There, Lynne recorded some demo songs, which landed her an appearance on TNN's Nashville Now series. That in turn led to a duet with George Jones, 1988's Top 50 hit "If I Could Bottle This Up," and a record deal with Epic, where Lynne teamed with legendary producer Billy Sherrill for her 1989 debut album Sunrise. The follow-up, 1990's Tough All Over, took more of a Reba McEntire-esque direction, and 1991's Soft Talk found Lynne moving into slick country-pop.

Lynne placed several songs on the country charts during this period, but none managed to break into the Top 20. Critics generally regarded her as a promising talent, and she even won the CMA's Horizon Award (given to the year's top emerging artist) in 1991. However, she was tiring of the lack of control she was afforded over her image and musical direction. She split from Epic and signed with the smaller Morgan Creek label, debuting with 1993's Temptation, an exercise in Bob Wills-style Western swing and big band jazz. Unfortunately, the label folded not long after, and she moved on to Magnatone for 1995's Restless, which marked a return to contemporary-style country. Afterward, Lynne disappeared from recording for several years. During that time, she moved to Palm Springs, CA, and convinced producer Bill Bottrell -- best known for his early work with Sheryl Crow -- to work on her next album.

Lynne signed with Island Records and finally returned in 2000 with I Am Shelby Lynne. Effectively a roots rock album with Sheryl Crow overtones and strong hints of Lynne's eclecticism, the record was greeted enthusiastically in the U.K. and was released in the U.S. several months later. Positive word of mouth led to effusive critical praise, with many hailing I Am Shelby Lynne as a major statement of purpose as confident as its title's declaration. It won her a Grammy for Best New Artist in early 2001, and she began working on a follow-up with producer Glen Ballard, best known for his work with Alanis Morissette. Love, Shelby appeared later in 2001 but was received with confusion and disappointment by many reviewers, mainly because of its smoother, less country-infused production. Two years later, Lynne returned to form with Identity Crisis. Her debut release for Capitol, it was her most sensitive album yet. Suit Yourself appeared in spring 2005. In 2008 an homage to Dusty Springfield, Just a Little Lovin', produced by Phil Ramone, was released on Lost Highway. ~ Steve Huey, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

Shelby Lynne
One day back in the Spring of ’05, I received an e-mail from Barry Manilow. We had met at a Gr...
Songs: 10, Videos: 0, Playlists: 1, Blog Posts: 0, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (4)

Your Lies
(Duration: 3:09)
Jul 28th, 8:36am
Gotta Get Back
(Duration: 3:37)
Oct 18th, 10:15am
Your Lies
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Jul 21st, 10:37pm
Anyone Who Had A Heart
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Jul 15th, 7:18am
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Fan Comments

Jan 2nd, 6:36pm
A honest person with a wonderful voice, your one of my favorite singers ever..goodluck
Dec 12th, 3:52am
Love your music- Merry Christmas
Oct 16th, 2:10am
Thank you for being in Imeem, my dear friend,
these roses, the flowers of Love i will send ...
also sum love to your page here in the end ...

I really appreciate your music, taste and sending lots of Love and inspiration to you...




Love always, true friendship will last times and be long,
the joyful seasons but also bad days into our lives belong
nice parts we give and share - starting from the favorite song ...




These flowers will keep shining even through times so bad,
your true friends will do the best to make you feel less sad,
whenever we are looking days behind - over all we'll be so glad ...



Love and Hugs to you i send and Kiss from my lips, here in the end ...
(I hope you can find a suitable place where to set the Kiss landing) :)
Aug 16th, 6:10pm
I think your great,Shelby
May 29th, 8:50pm
May 20th, 1:06am
thanks for the add.

cheers to ya!