Candy Coburn performs at Exit/In candycoburn.com

Anyone who has spent even the smallest amount of time in Nashville is familiar with artist showcases. For those of you who aren't familiar, an artist showcase is an opportunity for industry folk to see up-and-coming singers interact with an audience as they perform live in the environment of a club. "I personally believe in order for most people to get what I do that is different from many other artists, it is super important for them to see me in a real fan setting," Singer Candy Coburn said of tonight's Exit/In showcase.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Candy a few questions about her upcoming showcase and other things--or should I say texted her questions, since I emailed the questions from my iPhone to her Blackberry while she was on her tour bus traveling between gigs--ain't technology grand?

Candy's love of music comes to her honestly, just like her country roots. The singer was born in Kentucky, raised in Missouri and spent many summers with family in Texas. It was during those early years that Candy began performing and became aware of the importance of a life filled with music. "My 85 year-old grandmother is a great singer and she's still kickin' it church every Sunday," recalled Candy. "I love to perform, it has been in my gut as long as I can remember. I truly remember sitting watching awards shows as early as 2nd grade and getting teary-eyed watching and knowing how much I wanted to do this for my job when I grew up."

Of her music influences, Candy names, her Grandmother--of course, Janice Joplin, Aretha Franklin Reba McIntyre, Mahalia Jackson, George McCorkle, Pat Green and as she added, "There are way too many to list them all."

When gearing up for tonight's showcase, or any night of the 150+ tour dates she annually racks up, here's what is going through her mind, "I love seeing an instant reaction from people's faces. You can't ever simply guess what people think when you tour full-time, but they will let you know immediately by their faces if what you are doing affects them or not."

Each time she steps on-stage her audience is in for something different. As Candy puts it, "I love being part of a unique music experience--that is what a live show is to me--I never know exactly what I am going to say or what is going to happen and I think that's why I have always said fans and artist really are the same. We are both music lovers--we love the experience that music lets us enjoy."

While she still calls Missouri home, Candy divides her time between there and Nashville where she is currently in the studio working on her latest material. "I work in Nashville each month, but I am based in the middle of my tour states as I go west, east and north--I love working in Nashville and have lots of family here, so it's the best of both worlds for me right now," Candy said.
Her current project has given Candy the opportunity to work with producer Joe Scaife, who has worked with Gretchen Wilson and Montgomery Gentry. "I listened to a ton of Joe's records before we started working on this project and came in with a ton of notes of things I loved and a list of studio musicians I thought would be cool and why--he was so gracious and of course knew exactly what to do--it is like breathing to him to make great music--it is in his blood and I am sure thrilled I am working with him," admitted Candy.

When asked if she considered herself a singer/songwriter or a songwriter/singer, Candy assured me, "For sure a singer/songwriter, mainly because I started singing for many years before anyone told me I should write my own songs. Amazing how teachers never mentioned 'hey that is something you should think about.'" Don't misunderstand her though, while she had great teachers they never suggested she pursue writing and singing. Candy remedies that situation for the next generation of talent whenever young singers seek her advice.  "I believe the biggest advice--and I sure give it all the time--to young singers is to play an instrument, write your songs."  She added, "Work with better writers than yourself if you didn't just jump out of the crib jotting down great lyrics or melodies." She shares this bit of advice with student around the country when she performs at school assemblies, and broadens this advice to other aspects of life besides music. "I tell them to find what they love and go for it."

In an industry full of what I perceive as "pretty girl singers" what sets Candy apart is her genuine love of music and what's more, her actual talent. As she put it, "I am a live performer first--I have never thought I wanted to be 'vocalist of the year.' My goal is to do what very few women have done, to have a strong tour that is as strong as Kenny (Chesney), Keith (Urban), Brad (Paisley) and sell out every time. I want to get a chance to do that and bring some of the most unique concerts to the fans. I have dreams about it and hope I get the chance to do it. I love to rock and I know fans do too. They want something different--that 'experience' I mentioned earlier--totally different from just sitting and listening to the record."

Aside from the tour dates and tonight's Exit/In showcase, Candy was recently named Celebrity Ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation. "I am super-excited. I will be performing a song I wrote with some amazing killer-chick song writers here in Nashville," revealed Candy. Candy wrote what she calls a "great fighter anthem" Pink Warrior with Kaci Bolls, Candy Cameron and Roxie Dean. Candy will be performing the song on the Mall in Washington, D.C. on Saturday June 6 as part of a nationally televised first-ever Susan G. Komen Global Race For The Cure Event. "It is one of the highlights thus far in my career," enthused Candy. "So exciting for me still being an indie girl," she added.

Candy also dropped a vague hint that there are major things on the horizon and suggested I stay tuned to her website for some "good stuff to be announced May 28th."

If you want to experience some of that "good stuff" tonight,  just check out Candy Coburn at her Exit/In Showcase at 6pm, or catch her on the road as she shares the stage with the likes of Big & Rich, Gary Allen, Pat Green and Chris Cagle and headlines her own shows as well.