Lisa Dames

In 2005 I began commuting to Nashville from Greensboro in pursuit of my dream. I never want my children to think that a dream is too big or out of reach. I'm a little late getting to the game, but I'm suited up and ready to play.

Why do I think I'm cool? (I feel like I'm writing an essay for senior english.) I'm a 40 year-old housewife trying to make a name for myself in a predominantly 20 year-old world, that world being the music industry, country music to be more specific. Since 2005 I have been pursuing a career in the country music industry while raising two daughters...and a husband.

In 2005, a record promoter that I had worked with, on a six song EP introduced me to David Grow. David is a Grammy nominated producer best known for his work with Jim Brickman. (The new romantic piano playing sensation.) David heard the demo that I had recorded and was interested in working with me on a full-length project. This project No One Like Me was completed in March of 2006.

In May of 2006 we took the first of two songs to country radio. As I'm sure you're aware, most country radio playlists consist of 25-30 songs. As an indie I was competing with the likes of Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson and Faith Hill. The first single Just Another Day reached #56 on the Music Row chart with a total of 7,724 spins on 43 stations nationally. The second single I'd Leave Me attained Top 40 status with total spins of 13,635 on 60 radio stations.

Between the summer of 2006 and the spring of 2007, my guitar player, Sam Frazier, and I embarked on a 62 station, 20 state radio tour to promote Just Another Day and I'd Leave Me. As part of my "million dollar marketing plan" I had my 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan wrapped with my CD artwork. When I go through carpool all the kids yell, "That's Patti and Penny's Mom." The songs on my album are geared towards the Moms, not the kids. However, Stubborn is a favorite of my daughter's second grade class and Your Love is a favorite of my sixth grader and her friends. My husband's favorite is Takin' the Wheel. Mainly because he thinks that the song means I'll drive and he can sleep.

My video for Just Another Day debuted on national television on GAC's Positively Country and was added to CMT.com's website. CMT radio picked me as One to Watch for 2007. In May of 2007 I secured distribution through Select O Hits in Memphis, TN and my CD was placed in North Carolina area Wal*Mart stores. Last year I opened shows for Craig Morgan, Trent Tomlinson and John Michael Montgomery.

In addition, my music and I are featured in a promotion just launched in 36 Waffle House locations throughout North Carolina. The promotion began with a series of radio commercials voiced by me that aired throughout the holiday season. Custom designed in-store signage promotes the availability of my current project No One Like Me, in local music outlets. Both the radio commercials and signage direct patrons to songs from the project that are featured on the restaurant chain's jukeboxes. Nationally, Waffle House is second only to Pizza Hut in the number of retail jukeboxes.

My family and I made the cover of the Winter edition of Triad Living Magazine, on stands from November '07 through mid-February '08. More photos accompanied an extensive interview by writer Alice Sink that explored the challenges that I face as a wife and mother as I follow my dreams in the rough and tumble music business.

Please visit my website for the latest info on me. www.lisadames.com

ARTIST WEBSITE:  http://www.famecast.com/lisadames

OTHER ARTIST WEBSITE:  www.lisadames.com

HOME TOWN: 
Greensboro, NC

GROUP/BAND MEMBERS: 
Sam Frazier, guitar, background vocals; Steve Clarke, bass; Eddie Walker, drums; Lisa Dames, lead vocals

INFLUENCES: 
Linda Ronstadt, Trisha Yearwood, Reba, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton John

ON MY PLAYLIST: 
Brad Paisley, Sunny Sweeney, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Patty Smyth