For LeAnn Rimes, 1999 was a year of many
exciting firsts. The Grammy, CMA Billboard and Academy Of Country Music award
winner embarked on a number of dynamic new projects that will carry her into
the millennium.
Of course, 1999 was the follow-up to the last
years, where LeAnn established herself as one of the leading singers
of the 1990s. Blue, her 1996 debut Curb album, is closing in
on the seven million mark, and her subsequent album, You Light Up My Life:
Inspirational Songs, also multi-platinum, debuted at #1 on three Billboard
charts: Pop, Country and Contemporary Christian. It marks the first time
ever that honor has been achieved by a Country Music artist. The Early
Years: Unchained Melody, a compilation album of LeAnns early
work was released in early 1997 and sold multi-platinum. To top off 1997,
LeAnn had a #1 pop single with How Do I Live, which currently
holds the Billboard chart record of 69 consecutive weeks at #1, and received
Special Hot 100 award.
In 1998 LeAnn again staked out a new musical
territory with the release of Sitting On Top Of The World. The CD
featured the hit single Commitment, as well as Looking Through
Your Eyes, a ballad included in the animated motion picture, Quest
for Camelot. The album also included LeAnns moving version
of the Prince anthem Purple Rain.
At 11, LeAnn recorded her first album,
All That, produced by Wilbur Rimes and released on the independent
label Nor Va Jak. The album featured a version of Blue. Through the
buzz created by that album, sold locally in Dallas, LeAnn garnered the attention
of Curb Records and soon recorded and released the Blue
album.
The rest they say is history. With all that she
has achieved, LeAnn has a realistic view. I dont let it
all go to my head, she comments. It could all disappear overnight.
So I keep reminding myself of that and how hard Ive worked to get
here.