Megan Laurie

Megan Laurie – Megan Laurie

I recently caught Megan Laurie, an upcoming country music artist, at a singer/songwriter competition at Lake Whitney State Park. This young Aussie absolutely blew the crowd away. It was an all day event with about 20 competitors and she walked away with the 3 top honors: Best All Around, First Place Vocal, and First Place Songwriting. The info the 23 year old Laurie provided gave me some answers that I’ll share will you. Laurie was born in Warragul, Victoria, Australia, and spent the next 22 years either near Melbourne or in northwest Victoria. Laurie came to Texas a little over 2 years ago, and is attending South Plains College (known for its music excellence) in the Lone Star panhandle.

There is no lack of talent and originality of authorship in Laurie’s music. Laurie has obviously been a student of country music even in her home country for quite some time (in the tradition of Kasey Chambers, Audrey Mezera, Bill Chambers, etc.). The songwriting is on target for the Texas country category and she covers old standards like a native Texan. Only occasionally do you hear an Aussie inflection during the music. It only came to the surface during her brief introductions before each song at the live performance that I caught. She claims her speech has become quite Texan-twanged in the last couple of years and she now speaks what she calls “Tex-stralian.”

10 of the 12 selections on Megan Laurie are original songs by Laurie. She also does a top notch cover of a Hank Williams standard, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. Matter of fact (Lord forgive me!), but I like her version a tiny bit better than Hank’s (please no hate mail; it’s just a tiny bit better!). Laurie bases her songwriting topics on real events and things of which she has knowledge (like falling in love, breaking up, home town doings, etc.). So the emotional impact is deeply rooted and personal. She jokingly told me that if one of her friends wants to talk about their latest break up, it is fair game for one of Laurie’s songs. I have no doubt that as she matures, so will the subject matter about which she writes. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with how the songs evolved because I find myself listening to these selections over and over again.

She’s been flirting with the music game for more than half her life. Things got rolling at early age when she and a cousin put on front porch shows for the family. Her grandparents entered her in a talent contest at 11 and she walked right OFF the stage while performing. That taught her a hard lesson that’s stayed with her…..she belongs ON the stage, not off. From there, Laurie moved on with a couple of garage bands during her teen years, where she was able to refine her bass and acoustic guitar skills. These days she plays country music covers and some of her own songs with a few South Plains College folks in the Rex Thomas Band in the Lubbock area.

Although all the selections are worthy of your attention, be sure and check out the opening track, Kissin’ the Wind, a quick paced, positive look of moving from a relationship that doesn’t support your primary dream.
“While you’re at home kissin’ my picture
I’m in my car kissin’ the wind.
Top right down and the music blaring
I’m getting out of this mess I’m in.
So baby, listen carefully
‘Cause I ain’t coming home again.
All you’ll see is my red tail lights
And my mouth kissin’ the wind.
…….
My foot’s flat on the gas pedal
You’ll hear the spitting gravel.”

Don’t miss Light At the End of the Bottle. This one is about the sad, but wiser gal who’s ready to toss the bottle and get on with the rest of her life.
“I’m running on a few hours sleep.
A shot of whiskey been my only meal.
…
But now I can see the light at the end of the bottle
It’s a little bit hazy but I guess it’s nothing
Compared to what you’ve put me through.
I’m gonna swallow my pride like the last drop of cider
Open my eyes a little bit wider
And tell myself there’s someone better than you.
Yeah, I can see the light at the end of the bottle.

Never thought I was the stupid kind
Follow my heart and not listen to my mind.
….
‘Cause the only time I was happy
Was when the bottle’s full. Now it’s a brand new day.
I hold the bottle up to my eye
With grey clouds all behind me.
I see bluer skies.”

Another selection you’ll enjoy is Big Fun In My Little Town. This description of school kids under the impression they have the grown up world convinced they are saints, while they are planning their next forbidden outing.
“Jodie and I 17 years old
Mixed up with the boys from Langtree road.
Come Friday at school we’d have that look in our eyes.
Our folks thought we were saints
But we were about to go wild.
…..
Here I am miles from my hometown.
Something’s always coming up.
Something’s always doing down.
I left that girl in that place behind.
There’s still a little part of her
Here in my mind.”

Another tra - www.misslana.com

Country music is about to meet its match in Megan Laurie, an Australian cutie who traveled to the United States in 2004 just to attend South Plains College.

“I came to SPC,” explained Laurie, “because it has the best music program in the world.”

Laurie, 24, took up country music at 11, and started playing consistently at 13. In Australia, she obtained three consecutive Champion of Champion titles, Victoria, South Australian, and Queensland. She is the only person to have all three titles.

"I grew up touring Australia, following the country music circuit,” Laurie says. “While my friends were playing sports and partying, I was at home learning lyrics, charting and writing songs, practicing my guitar and honing my vocal skills. Music has always given me an outlet to express my thoughts and emotions.”

At the age of 22, she came to SPC, following in the footsteps of other country stars who first came to the college, such as LeAnne Womack, Richie McDonald, Jed Hughes, Dan Bletz of Biscuit Burners, and Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks.

"South Plains College gave me the opportunity to study under the guidance of some of the most respected tutors in the music industry," said Laurie. “I like how everyone here is so supportive. I’ve been so well received, and I thank God every day that I found this place. Everyone is so eager for things to happen, and so supportive of each other.”

Laurie has been awarded SPC’s “Outstanding Female Songwriter of the Year for 2003-2004 ,” “Female Country/Swing Vocalist of the Year for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005,” “Female Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year for 2004-2005,” “Female Country/Swing Instrumentalist of the Year 2004-2005,” and “Female Entertainer of the Year for 2004-2005.”

“I think Megan is a true talent,” says Scott Faris, director of guitar studies at South Plains College. “She’s a fantastic singer and one of the best songwriters we have ever had here at SPC.”

Laurie’s participation with “Thursday Nite Live” has given her much exposure throughout Hockley County, but that’s just the beginning.

“It is easy to forget that Megan Laurie is just in her 20s,” said Faris, “Her musical maturity and positive approach are beyond her years."

Laurie’s self-titled album, which is on the Fillee label, will debut May 5.

“After the CD comes out, I’m going on tour,” she said.

The CD, for which she and Cary Banks, chairperson of the Creative Arts Department, co-produced, was recorded partially at Studio 84 in Lubbock, and partially in Nashville, Tenn. Laurie wrote 10 of the 12 songs on the CD.

“Megan Laurie is one of those special people that has touched my life in a very profound way,” said Banks, who considers himself a friend of Laurie. “She is a genuine artist, a heck of a good songwriter, and a genuine joy to know and work with.”

Laurie, whose influences include Hank Williams, George Jones, and Johnny Cash, already has gigs in North Carolina and New York lined up.

“When I play a gig,” says Laurie, “It’s good to know that when people come out after having a bad day, I can make their day a little better.”

Laurie is set to graduate in May, and already she has a bright future ahead of her.

“Great things await our little ‘Aussie,’ says Banks, “and I know the world will be so blessed by her songs and voice.”

Currently, Laurie’s song, “Kissin’ The Wind” can be heard on 99.5, The Bear, or KRBL-FM, The Rebel, in Lubbock. For more information about Laurie, you can visit her Myspace music page or at www.meganlaurie.com.

"I am who I am, I do what I do,” says Laurie.” I work hard, search for new roads and set the scene for my own individual style."

- Plainsmen Press Jennifer Conlee, co-news editor