Lambert won't go 'glamour route'

NEW YORK — Signing a record contract is usually a joyous occasion for an unknown artist, especially one who has spent years struggling.

But Miranda Lambert recalls little joy when that big moment came, only increasing dread as she stared at the papers in front of her. For almost a half-hour, she debated whether joining Sony Nashville — home of such best-selling acts as Gretchen Wilson and the Dixie Chicks — was a good thing.

"I heard so many horror stories about record deals and how they go bad, and how labels try and make use of a puppet, you know, and do what they want with you. And that scared me," says the 21-year-old Lambert, a finalist on the inaugural edition of the TV talent contest "Nashville Star."

In the end, she signed. But the next day, Lambert called up new Sony Nashville President John Grady and offered a caveat.

"I said, 'I know what I am and who I am and I know what kind of music that I want to do. I'm a songwriter. If you're going to try and change me in any way, I'd rather just go back home and do what I was doing there. So please tell me now before we waste a lot a money and a lot of time."'

It's easy to imagine Lambert, an effervescent blonde who's done some modeling and acting, being pushed down the Shania Twain/Faith Hill glamour girl route. But fortunately for her, Sony Nashville wanted Lambert just the way she was — a feisty Texas gal who prefers classic country to today's slick country pop and would rather be on stage strumming her guitar than prancing around in sexy outfits.

"I think I was born in the wrong era," Lambert says, laughing as she describes her musical influences and philosophy in a recent interview. "I got a record player for my 21st birthday in November, and I'm listening to vinyls most of the time when I'm home. I love the old sound."

Lambert wrote or co-wrote all but one song on her debut album "Kerosene," which debuted on top of the Billboard country album chart in March. It has a sound that might best be described as retro-country — harkening back to the lyrical content and musical style of her idols, who include Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

"I feel like country music should be real. I feel like if you go back to the roots ... they all sing about cheatin' and drinkin'; they sing about real life, because that's what country music originated out of — real people signing about real-life situations."