LeAnn Rimes Gets Personal on New CD

LeAnn Rimes photo courtesy of Curb Nashville

May 22, 2007 — LeAnn Rimes, the little girl who captivated country radio with "Blue" in the summer of 1996, is now a 24-year-old young woman who has sold more than 37 million records worldwide, and she tells The Tennessean she's still growing with each project.

LeAnn plans to release Family, her 10th studio album, on August 28, which is also her 25th birthday. And for the first time, LeAnn co-wrote every song on the CD.

"August 28 is my birthday, but it's also a rebirth for me as a woman and as an artist," LeAnn says. "I feel like I finally captured the artistry. I'm not just a little girl with a voice anymore."

LeAnn says that 12 years into her career, she's constantly looking for ways to set each project apart. "I think I've done something totally different than anything I've ever recorded," she says. "I always want to be my best, and I think it shines through on this record. I've been through highs and lows in my career, and I think the lows are what make me appreciate this album. You have failures, but I use those to learn what not to do, and that leads to records like Family."

LeAnn describes the CD, which she is now finishing, as intensely personal and says it reflects her growth as a person and an artist. "I think I just had to grow up and had to feel confident in myself to write something like this," she says. "I've begun to feel just as confident with writing as I do with my voice, and it's exciting for me to be able to nurture that gift. Making this record was almost like therapy for me. I think it's a huge responsibility because I'm writing and singing about things other people live through, too. And I hope people can find themselves in the songs."