NASHVILLE, TN. (Universal South Records/ www.katrinaelam.com) - It's true - Many fans of headliner and CMA's newly named Male Vocalist of the Year,
Keith Urban come to his show wondering, 'Who is Katrina Elam?'
Universal South's
Katrina Elam is the opening act on the CMT On Tour:
Keith Urban Be Here '04 tour and it's not uncommon for a somewhat unknown promising newcomer to be a tour opener. However, it only takes midway through Katrina's first number - an a cappella rendition of 'Woman & Man,' before audiences are thrilled they arrived early! By the end of her set, they are on their feet.
Fans are not the only ones who know a great thing when they hear it. Nearly every concert review echoes the same sentiments. 'Elam can handle ballads, country rockers –even yodeling. Her Oklahoma yodeling skills earned her a standing ovation, very rare for an opening act. Remember her name.
She's one to watch,' wrote the critic from the Muncie Press.
The Saginaw News reviewer wrote, 'The night opened with a little girl with a big voice, Katrina Elam. She didn't waste any time in using her pipes, bringing the house down with an a cappella interlude. Following it up with songs from her debut album, the 20-year-old closed the show with a lost art - yodeling. The standing ovation was sincere; as Elam says in her first single, there's "No End in Sight" for this very talented young woman.'
According to the Houston Chronicle, she's 'a combo of LeAnn Rimes' polished youthfulness, Martina McBride's confident power and Jo Dee Messina's spunkiness.'
Such high praise and warm receptions are widespread for the Oklahoma newcomer. Since embarking on the tour in October, Katrina has been called, 'a first-course celebration' (Cleveland Plain Dealer), with 'gorgeous pipes' (Louisville Courier Journal).
The best part for Katrina has been sharing music from her self-titled debut CD with such devoted country music fans. ''Keith has the most awesome fans, and they have been so sweet to me. Everywhere we've been, they have had such great energy – it really makes us want to give them the best show we can.'
Keith Urban has been a staunch supporter from the beginning. He recorded 'ganjo' tracks on her current hit single, 'No End In Sight' and has been known to join her for the live performance while on the road. 'The first time I heard her voice it hit me in the same way Trisha Yearwood did,' said Urban. 'There's a womanly soulfulness that take me back to Linda Ronstadt – and she writes. I think she's the real deal and in this day and age, that's a rare find.'
Katrina continues her 'road trip' with Keith Urban through mid-December. For a complete list of tour dates, go to www.katrinaelam.com.
