LeAnn Rimes wanted to makeover her pop-country sound after 20 years in the business. So, she traveled back to her roots in Mississippi and surprised her fans with the results.
“I want to spark a conversation,” Rimes shares via email from England.
The 34-year-old performer let the power of love be her guide for her album dubbed Remnants. For it, she worked with writer/producer Mark Batson, whose credits include songs by Seal, Eminem and Alicia Keys, and longtime friend Darrell Brown, who hails from Scottsdale.
“With this album, we wrote about all aspects of love and all of its angles—from giving it, receiving it, making it and standing up for it,” she writes. “I wanted to be intentional with this record and release music that means something to me, to bring love and positivity into the world.”
The artist will bring her fresh sound—and remnants of her classic sound—to the Scottsdale Culinary Festival on Saturday, April 8, at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. The event, which continues Sunday, April 9, also features performances by The Black Moods, Vaughn Willis & Ear Candy and Wyves.
Inspired by the “greats,” Rimes began her career at age 13.
“For me, personally, it was Janis Joplin, Aretha and, of course, Patsy Cline,” Rimes said.
She soared to fame after her debut, Blue, went multiplatinum and hit No. 1on the Top Country Albums chart.
Not only were these great performers her yellow brick road to success, the southern belle had a wide range of support.
“A lot of people helped me along the way,” she wrote. “They say ‘it takes a village.’ It definitely does. My parents, of course, my family and my team, of course, are huge parts of my journey. I am thankful for everything because it has brought me to where I am today. This clearly was supposed to be my path, so I try to soak up the moments as best as I can and cherish those around me.”
Her set at the Scottsdale Culinary Festival will recall her career—with a change.
“I am adding some of my favorite songs from my new album, Remnants,” she wrote. “I will sing lots of hits, but I am also rearranging a few of the fan favorites into new grooves.
“I also like reaching back into my catalog and adding some deep track favorites to reintroduce to the show as well. I am very excited for people to see it all.”
LeAnn Rimes, Scottsdale Culinary Festival, Scottsdale Civic Center Mall, 7380 E. Second Street, scottsdalefest.org/, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 8, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 9, $12-$15.
