NASHVILLE -A lot of images spring to mind when one hears a woman described as a "princess." Down-home, honkytonk American woman is not usually one of them. But, Princess Ann Claire is changing allof that. You see, as the great-niece of the late Shah of Iran Ann Claire is a bona fide princess. But she's also country music's new Girl Next Door.
Country singer Billy Currington said it best upon first meeting the blonde beauty when he said, “I never met a princess before, but you’re country as turnip greens.” And now she brings that true-bluecountry style to her debut CD, Honkytonk Princess, produced by Travis Howard (who has penned manyMiranda Lambert hits) and Maxwell Abrams (of Muzik Mafia), which is set for a February 21 release datevia Prosody Records. On the 12-track CD, you don't just hear Princess Ann Claire singing. You also justget Ann Claire, a girl sharing her heartache, her struggles, and her hopes and dreams.
"Honkytonk Princess is the true story of my life over the past five years," explains Ann Claire, who first made a name for herself as the star of her own E! reality TV series, Love Is In The Heir. "It's a pretty even mix of up-tempo fun songs that celebrate life and love, and songs from the heart that reflectwhat I have been through, and the faith and passion, that it takes to lay it all down on the line for what you believe in, while there is still time and you have the chance."
Two songs most near and dear to Ann Claire’s heart are "Better Girl," which kicks the album offand serves as the lead single and music video, and the title track, "Honkytonk Princess." "They are two sides of the same coin," explains Ann Claire, who co-wrote both songs, along with six others. "True love, for yourself and for others, is stronger than anything in this world, but you can’t really live that until you make a decision to stand up and fight for what you know is right, and understand that we are all gifted and can shine. They both talk about respecting ourselves and being open to the unexpected, but miraculousthings that happen in any given moment or relationship. There are no rules. No matter who you are or where you are from."
Ann Claire is already making fans of key Nashville media, as Music News Nashville recently wrote of Honkytonk Princess: "Her enthusiasm is apparent on tracks like 'Lucky Me' and 'Better Girl,'both of which exude the word personality. She also handles the beat of the up-tempo title cut, as well asthe breezy 'Let’s Go To Mexico,' which soars with its message of casting worries to the side of the road for a while. Ann Claire also proves adept at handling a ballad, with her warm touch on 'Here To Home,' aswell as 'Somewhere.' Kudos to her as well for tackling a cut like Mila Mason’s 'Dark Horse,' and rising to the challenge."
To give music fans a taste of her debut CD, Ann Claire is in the middle of a six-date residency tour at Belcourt Taps & Tapas, which was recently hailed in Country Weekly as Music City’s hot spot for music, dining, and socializing. Ann Claire is backed by a full band that includes members of Shooter Jennings' group. Her road band includes Ted Russell Kamp on bass, Bryan Keeling on drums, and John Schreffler on guitar, as well as Mat Dauzat (guitarist), Carl Byron (keyboardist), Don Ian (banjo, acousticguitar), and Sam May, who has played with Leonard Cohen and Isaac Hayes, on backing vocals.
"I just love my band," beams Ann Claire. "There is no other word for it. I joke that when we play together it’s like The Partridge Family. We just have so much fun. We goof around a lot, but each member is so brilliant and quirky that it’s a powerhouse of good music."
Ann Claire is currently lining up tour dates for the year and is available for TV, radio, print, and online interviews. To see more of her story, check out her EPK: Honkytonk Princess: The Story. The Dream. The Reality on her newly launched website: http://www.princessannclaire.com. Fans can also pre-order Honkytonk Princess on the website and win a $15 merchandise credit.
Ann Claire Residency Tour Dates:
Jan. 25, Belcourt Taps & Tapas, NashvilleFeb. 8, Belcourt Taps & Tapas, NashvilleFeb. 15, Belcourt Taps & Tapas, NashvilleFeb. 22, Belcourt Taps & Tapas, Nashville
ABOUT ANN CLAIRE: Many country girls grow up with dreams of being a real princess. But there’sonly one genuine princess who grew up to be a country singer and songwriter: Ann Claire. She was born in the Middle East to a father who was a pop and R&B songwriter in London’s music scene, and as thegreat-niece of the late Shah of Iran is a bona fide princess. Ann Claire, now an American citizen, grew up in both London and Los Angeles, and was schooled in England, Switzerland, and Spain before attending the University of Southern California to major in film and television and minor in sociology and graduatewith honors. She followed that with studies in theatre and voice at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre, where she appeared in a number of plays. She starred in her own reality series, Love Is In The Heir, which ran for 10 episodes on the E! Network in 2006, earning strong ratings around the world as it aired to millions in more than 50 nations. Her debut CD, Honkytonk Princess, is due on Feb. 21, 2012 on Prosody Records and was co-produced by Travis Howard (Nashville Star, Miranda Lambert) and Maxwell Abrams (Muzik Mafia). She co-wrote eight out of the 12 songs on the record.
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