Miranda Lambert Builds Contrast

Miranda Lambert performs at the Nightly Concert on the Vault Concert Stage LP Field Friday, June 6 in Downtown Nashville during the 2008 CMA Music Festival. Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Oct. 6, 2008 — Having secured a reputation as a feisty female presence, Miranda Lambert is changing things up with her new single, "More Like Her," and the departure is intentional.

"It's my first ballad," she told Richmond.com. "It shows my softer, more vulnerable side."

The video, which makes its TV debut Tuesday on GAC, helps underscore the kinder, gentler Miranda, though it’s not intended to whitewash the more dangerous part of her personality, which has been on display in "Kerosene" and "Gunpowder & Lead."

"I grew up in a small town in Texas, so it comes with the territory," she said. But, she noted, "I am very girly in some ways. I can get my heart broken. I think it's important to bring that element into my music."

Miranda’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend won the Academy of Country Music’s Album of the Year award in May, and now she’s up for two Country Music Association trophies — including Female Vocalist of the Year, against Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss and Martina McBride. Though they’re pitted against each other in the category, she hardly views those other singers as the enemy.

"I grew past the competition aspect," she observed. "I have a little niche in what I do. I can't compare myself to them. I think we're all working together to make country music look amazing. There's room for everybody."

"The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" will be presented on ABC Nov. 12 from Nashville’s Sommet Center. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will co-host the event, and Miranda’s among the artists who’ve already committed to perform.