Performer's range reaches from opera to Wynette

The Virginian-Pilot
© February 4, 2010

Carrie Tillis knew from an early age that she was destined for the stage. It just came naturally for the daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis and sister of country singer Pam Tillis, who has had more than 30 singles on the Billboard country charts since the early '90s.

Carrie might be cut from the same cloth as her famous family members, but she's not exactly a chip off the old block. In spite of a Nashville twang in her speaking voice, her path through the music business has led her to operatic roles, symphony performances and musical theater. However, her past and her present come together this weekend when she stars as a country legend in "Stand by Your Man, The Tammy Wynette Story" at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach.

We talked to Tillis by phone last week about her career, her famous family and her latest project.

Q. You've gone from Broadway and opera to Tammy Wynette. How did you channel the late singer in your performances?

A. When I moved to New York to do musical theater, I did everything I could to step away from Southern roles. I had no interest in singing country music because I thought my voice just didn't go there. I was looking for roles that I thought were more legit, so I went mainstream and performed the standard repertoire. But the Tammy Wynette role coming along made me shift my gears back to who I am as a Southern girl, and who I am as my father's daughter. I didn't really find my country voice until I began mimicking Tammy. Her talent was staggering. No one sounded like her then, and no one sounds quite like her today.

Q. What led you away from your impressive country music pedigree?

A. I started with school plays and then became a theater major at Samford University in Birmingham (Ala.). It was there I began to train classically and they said, "You've got a knack for this kind of music." I started singing mezzo roles from "Carmen," and then my voice naturally moved to a soprano. I loved the French composers and anything fluid and graceful, such as Handel. I was also drawn to contemporary composers like Carlisle Floyd. His opera "Susannah" was about an Appalachian girl, and it felt so natural to sing that. Opera was definitely a surprise for my family, but it was still performing, and so they loved it and thought it was great.

Q. Having a famous father and sister must be a big bonus in the entertainment business, but are there ever times when it's a hindrance?

A. Oh yeah, absolutely. Not everybody's a country music fan, in the first place, and it can be good and bad even when they are. People judge you if you have a famous family and pigeon-holing is a real problem - especially when I open my mouth to talk and I sound so country. Everyone has to prove themselves, and when I'm doing an audition, it's me up there, not my dad or my sister. It definitely opens some doors, but I'm still the one who has to do the work to get the job.

Q. How do you manage the expectations of audiences who might expect you to sing nothing but country music?

A. The most important lesson I've learned is to be authentic. Whatever the scenario, you have to win over the audience by being exactly who you are. I'm doing a lot of symphony work now, and I love those shows because it gives me a chance to shift through all the styles of music that make up who I am. I might do an opera aria followed by a standard and then sing one of my dad's songs. I've finally come around to putting it all together. I love to talk to the audience and let them see who I am.

April Phillips, apes1@cox.net

Symphony brings back artist by popular demand

April 10, 2009 12:53 am
— special to The Star

After a stand out performance of “O Holy Night” during the Tillis Family Christmas show in December at the MSU Riley Center, the Meridian Symphony Orchestra announced Thursday that Carrie Tillis will be featured with the orchestra on May 16.

"In response to the community’s overwhelming requests to bring back this talented vocalist from one of country music’s most famous families, MSO has worked hard to put together a great pops concert featuring standards and Broadway selections, featuring Carrie Tillis," said Aislinn Webb, executive director of the Meridian Symphony Association.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center, 2200 Fifth St.

Carrie Tillis doesn’t leave any musical genre out of the mix – a sure way to please the fans she’s garnered over the last 10 years. From opera and Broadway’s musical theatre favorites to classic country tunes and standards, Tillis has found a way to bridge her country roots with her more classical leanings.

Mixing time between her hometown of Nashville, Tenn. and New York City, Tillis travels the country, performing in countless regional theatres with leading roles in classic shows like "Show Boat," "The Music Man," Disney’s "Beauty and the Beast," "Shenandoah," and many others.

You might see her singing a symphony pops concert, singing with orchestras like Les Brown Jr. and the Band of Renown, or even an opera appearance. Tillis' resume includes performances with opera companies in Nashville, Chattanooga, Alabama, and Arkansas, working with singers and conductors from all over the world.

Most recently though, Tillis returned to her roots to star in her most acclaimed role to date as she portrayed the late Tammy Wynette in the musical version of "Stand By Your Man-The Tammy Wynette Story." Tillis’ performance met with rave reviews and sell out crowds.

Last but certainly not least, performing with her famous family has to be the highlight of Tillis' year. As the daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis, and sister to superstar Pam Tillis, she definitely has the Country music pedigree.

The Tillis family found a great opportunity performing in Branson, Mo., at the Mel Tillis Theatre for many seasons and now travels world wide with the family tour. Tillis' fan base has grown as father Mel introduces her as “the daughter that sings opera ... not Grand Ole Opry.”

Tillis' rendition of "O Holy Night" and "Ave Maria" have become requested favorites over and over again, as is the new addition to the show – "His Eye is on the Sparrow." In 2008, Tillis released her first solo album, "Roundtrip." The self-penned project includes a sound that Tillis calls “roots country” with some bluegrass and contemporary country. She quickly followed with “Just A Little Gift” – the Christmas album which included her standout performance of "O Holy Night."

Ticket information

Tickets for An Evening with Carrie Tillis and the Meridian Symphony Orchestra go on sale Monday at the MSU Riley Center. Tickets are $39 for “A” seats and $35 for “B” seats. Tickets previously purchased to MSO’s Classical Cinco de Mayo concert will be honored the night of the show.

For more information, call (601) 696-2200.

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