SAN JOSE, CA. (Rufftown Records/ www.rufftown.com) - 17-year-old rising pop singer/songwriter,
Amanda Shelby, who simply goes by AMANDA, asks the tough questions with her Rufftown Records debut Butterfly In A Blizzard, available in stores August 31.
Her lead single, "
Will You Still Love Me", asks her guy straight up - "Will you still love me if I put on a few more pounds?... Without my makeup... When I don't look the way I do now..." Not exactly the kind of questions to ask, unless you're fully prepared to hear the answer. But for Amanda, whose father and co-songwriter is Mark Shelby (co-writer of the cult-classic hit"
Monster Mash"), confrontation is key. And songwriting is clearly in her genes. Says Amanda, whose influences run from Madonna, to Norah Jones, to
Christina Aguilera:
"The truth will always set you free." If her guy's not up to par, she'll find someone else who is, because she's worth it. It's all about self-empowerment,
Amanda says. She hopes to send this clear cut message to her peers: "Just ' be' yourself and believe in yourself...Who else is there better to be?"
In a day and age where our culture is obsessed with perfection, and teen celebrities are succumbing to eating disorders and drugs, Amanda says 'WHY?' The recent high school graduate, who resides within the San Jose area, doesn't fit today's replica of your standard pop star.
Yet, she is completely comfortable in her own skin. "I hope to inspire other teens to feel better about their self image - and to relay the message that it's OK to just be 'you,'" she says.
Other standout songs on Amanda's debut CD - Butterfly In A Blizzard, which was co-produced by GRAMMY nominated producer Rene' (also of R&B hit duo Rene" & Angela) and multi-GRAMMY Award-winner Bruce Swedien, include "Kiss Me Softly" - A song about a young teen wanting to have a deeper relationship with her boyfriend; "Butterfly In A Blizzard" - a young homeless girl pleading for her life; "Chalk On The Sidewalk" - a look back on childhood via stories previously written on the sidewalk, and "I Just Can't Help Myself" which explores a young girl's obsession with a bad-boy/player type.
Amanda, who has been writing and recording songs since age 12, is known within industry circles for her introspection, intelligence, and her gift for deep, thoughtful communication.
