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 between songs 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.”

Ten of the twelve selections on this CD 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 foots 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 track not to miss is "Girls Gone Fishin’".  This is a great light hearted look at women invading that masculine hobby of fishing.

“I bat my eyelids

And pout my bottom lip.

He puts the truck in park

And his hands go to his hips.

‘Babe, me and boys have planned this

You don’t wanna hang with all guys.’

Before he can finish what he’s trying to say

I’m sitting in the passenger side.

Yeah I ain’t gonna stay at home                                     

And wait for him to come in

From a whole days worth of casting out

And never reeling nothing in.

He should just give me the pole

And let this woman

Show him how it’s done

‘Cause if the rest of the worlds got Girls Gone Wild

He’s got Girl Gone Fishin’.”

 The self titled CD, Megan Laurie, was released in May 2006.  So far, I haven’t caught any of the tunes being played on radio stations that are known for promoting Texas music, or any of the streamed internet stations, but I hope they will eventually.  As far as I can tell, the only way you can obtain a copy of the CD is to get lucky enough to catch Laurie in a personal performance, or at Bill’s Records and Tapes, Dallas.  I was told you could also get it at Ralph’s Records in Lubbock, so be sure and do that the next time you’re in Lubbock.  If you want to know where she is performing, Laurie keeps her performance dates posted on http://www.myspace.com/meganlauriemusic.  I hope you get a chance to pick up the CD or catch a live performance.  Good luck!

Written by Cheryl Arthur, June 2006