NEW YORK (Virgin Records) - Virgin Recording artist Hope Partlow has been specially chosen to open several U.S. dates on pop sensation
Jesse McCartney's current summer tour. Partlow is set to begin delighting audiences with her charismatic live performance at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary, NC, on August 1.
On tour, Partlow will be previewing songs from her upcoming debut album, "Who We Are," which will be released in stores on September 6. The title cut, a compelling statement of individuality, is the inspiring first single from the album. The song is currently climbing both the Pop and Hot AC charts. Billboard praised the song's "smart lyric," raving that "the sound has plenty of vim, but the real focus, wisely, is on Partlow's vocal, which certainly insinuates that she is beyond her, gulp, ...17 years."
The song is also in regular rotation on Radio Disney, where Partlow is being promoted as one of their prestigious "Incubator" artists. And Partlow can be heard each week belting out the theme song to the Fran Drescher's WB sitcom "Living with Fran."
Essentially plucked straight off the farm in her native Drummonds, Tennessee, when she was a mere fourteen years old, the precociously talented Partlow represents the sound of the modern American heartland. Like most teenagers of today, Partlow is a passionate fan of hip-hop and alternative rock, yet her music has also been undeniably influenced by the classic American music of her upbringing - artists such Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, the Eagles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. As a young girl, Partlow performed regular gigs at the local theater while her Dad played guitar. Together, she and her father learned hundreds of country and gospel songs, all of which became part of their live repertoire over the years.
"I met Hope when she was only fourteen, and was so blown away by both her virtuosity and her passionate, honest vocal delivery that I signed her on the spot," says Virgin Chairman/CEO Matt Serletic, who was so eager to work with Partlow that he decided to produce her entire record himself - his first full production for a Virgin artist. (Serlectic's credits also include matchbox twenty, Rob Thomas, Santana, Aerosmith, Celine Dion and Willie Nelson.) "Hope is seventeen now, and after two years of being in the studio with her, watching her work with several of my favorite songwriters and musicians, I know she's the real thing - through and through."
Partlow's wealth of performing experience has obviously contributed to the remarkable sense of self-possession she is able to convey on "Who We Are." Tracks like "Cold" and "Everywhere But Here" offer passionate proclamations of emotional empowerment, driven by forceful guitar grooves and propulsive programming. More thoughtful tracks like "Too Late" and "Let Me Try" partake of the roots-oriented influences of Partlow's youth, poignantly expressing the vulnerability of a singer with an uncanny ability to convey emotions through song.
Although she has been singing for most of her young life, the journey has just begun for this unique and extraordinary artist. Very soon, live audiences around the country will get to experience what Hope Partlow represents-the exciting future of American music.
Hope Partlow on tour w/Jesse McCartney
8/1/05 Koka Booth Amphitheatre/Regency Park Cary, NC
8/3/05 House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
8/4/05 Pier Six Concert Pavilion Baltimore, MD
8/6/05 Mable House Amphitheatre Mabelton, GA
8/7/05 Alabama Theatre Birmingham, AL
8/9/05 UNO/Lakefront Arena New Orleans, LA
8/10/05 Verizon Wireless Theatre Houston, TX
8/16/05 Universal Lending Pavilion Denver, CO
8/18/05 The Cotillon Wichita, KS
8/21/05 The Centre Evansville, IN
8/23/05 Morris Performing Arts Center South Bend, IN
8/30/05 Alltel Little Rock, AR
8/31/05 Stubb's Austin, TX
9/1/05 Dodge Arena Hidalgo, TX
9/3/05 Nokia Theatre Dallas, TX
9/4/05 Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK
