Biography

Miranda Lambert is a Grammy Award-winning country music star and singer-songwriter. Her 2005 major label debut album, Kerosene, went platinum.

QUOTES

“I don't write about angels, Jesus, happy days, kids. I grew up on drinkin', cheatin', love gone bad.”

—Miranda Lambert

Synopsis

Miranda Lambert was born on November 10, 1983, in Longview, Texas. Her family helped to finance her first recording in 2001. Lambert later became a contestant on Nashville Star. She finished as second runner-up, but landed a contract with Sony Music. Her major label debut album Kerosene (2005) went platinum. 

Early Life

Miranda Leigh Lambert was born on November 10, 1983, in Longview, Texas. When she was in her 20s, Miranda Lambert emerged as one of country music's rising stars. She grew up in Lindale, a small town where her parents ran a private detective agency. Her father was also a guitarist and songwriter, and she grew up listening to such country music greats as Merle Haggard and Guy Clark.

At the age of 10, Lambert entered her first country music talent show. Her budding career got a boost from performing on Johnnie High's Country Music Revue, a weekly variety show in Arlington, Texas. This program helped launch the careers of several other country music stars, including LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack. Another talent contest led to some acting work, appearing in a commercial and the teen comedy Slap Her She's French (2001).

Inspired by such singer-songwriters as Emmylou Harris, Lambert began writing her own songs after learning how to play the guitar from her father. She started her own band called Texas Pride at the age of 17 while still in high school. Focused on a career in music, Lambert graduated early from school to pursue her dream.

'Nashville Star'

Her own family supported her efforts, helping to finance and promote her first recording, an independent self-titled CD, in 2001. Two years later, Lambert got a big break when she passed the auditions for a new country music reality show, Nashville Star. She moved to the country music capital to compete for a recording contract among other prizes. While she didn't win, Lambert still landed a major label contract with Sony Music after becoming the show's second runner-up. "I was hoping not to win," she said in a statement on her website. "The winner had to go in right after the contest and make a record in a couple of weeks, and I wasn't ready."

In 2004, Lambert released the single "Me and Charlie Talking," an up-tempo tale of puppy love. It was a modest hit and was soon followed by her first major label album, Kerosene (2005). After the album's release, Lambert went on tours with George Strait and Keith Urban.

Commercial Success

Debuting at the top of the country music charts, Kerosene surprised some listeners with its fiery lyrics. "I don't write about angels, Jesus, happy days, kids. I grew up on drinkin', cheatin', love gone bad," she once explained. Clearly, her songs struck a chord with the music-buying public—the album sold more than 900,000 copies.

Also a hit with critics, Kerosene earned several positive reviews from a variety of sources, from Rolling Stone to the New Yorker magazine. Lambert earned several award nominations from the Academy of Country Music, including for top new female vocalist. The following year, she did win the ACM Award.

In 2007, Lambert had another hit album on her hands. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend started out at the top of the country album charts and reached as high as number six on the Billboard 200 charts. The title track became a popular hit and anthem of sorts for former girlfriends everywhere. "Gunpowder & Lead" tells the story of a woman seeking to kill her abusive significant other. On the other side of spectrum, Lambert appears unusually vulnerable on "More Like Her." She also reflects on her love of rural life in "Famous in a Small Town."

Along with being a strong seller, the album has brought Lambert a lot of positive critical attention. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend won an ACM award for album of the year, and Lambert earned the ACM Award for top new female vocalist. Lambert also received a Grammy Award nomination (best female country vocal performance) for her single "Kerosene." At the 2008 ACM Awards, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend won album of the year.

Recent Albums 

For 2009's Revolution, Lambert seemed to find her romantic side with such songs as "Making Plans" and "Love Song"; she worked on the No. 1 country album with fellow country star Blake Shelton. 

Later in 2011, Lambert teamed up with Angaleena Pressley and Ashley Monroe. The trio, known as Pistol Annies, released the hit album Hell on Heels that September. Lambert continued with her success as a solo act as well, releasing Four the Record that same year.

Lambert has remained one of country music's most popular stars. In 2013, she was one of the big winners at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Lambert took home two awards for her song "Over You" and was named female vocalist of the year. Lambert's winning streak continued that November. At the CMA Awards, she was named female vocalist of the year.

Lambert continues her reign as one of country's most popular performers. In 2014, she released Platinum, which featured such hit tracks as "Automatic" and "Somethin' Bad." The record also earned several CMA Awards, including single of the year and album of the year, and won a Grammy in 2015 for Best Country Album.

Personal Life

Lambert married Blake Shelton in May 2011, and they became one of country music's most popular power couples. Throughout their marriage, the couple deflected persistent rumors about troubles in their relationship. 

In July 2015, Lambert and Shelton announced they were getting divorced after four years of marriage. "This is not the future we envisioned," Lambert and Shelton said in a statement. "And it is with heavy hearts that we move forward separately. We are real people, with real lives, with real families, friends and colleagues. Therefore, we kindly ask for privacy and compassion concerning this very personal matter." 

[h/t: Bio]