Singer/songwriter Shelley Laine loves to meet a challenge and nowhere is her strong-willed, independent spirit more evident than in the picking up, moving on, and doing better refrain of That Girl Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, the first single off her CD, Back to Austin. In fact, the message at the core of the entire project is one of individualism and personal strength, not surprisingly, reflections of Shelley’s personal philosophy. Her timely Born Again American track tells the story of a woman who discovers the American Dream and pulls herself up from poverty.

Laine cites a wide variety of musical influences, from Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, and Karen Carpenter, to The Judds, Bonnie Raitt, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Shelley began songwriting at 16 and went on to perform at fairs and charity events. Behind the scenes, she put together a home-brewed CD which, as luck would have it, made its way to veteran promotions/marketing executive Ed Spacek (The Dixie Chicks, Tanya Tucker, LeAnn Rimes, Willie Nelson). Spacek was so impressed with Laine that he approached producer/engineer Eric Paul (Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Wylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver) about working with Shelley. The two teamed up to produce her debut CD, Skipping Stones. The CD showcased Shelley effortlessly transitioning between country, gospel, blues, and rock, and introduced an extraordinary new talent to the world of country music.

“I love music and my hope is that listeners will identify with these songs to a point that they are inspired to make a difference to those around them,” says Shelley. “…that connection is what music is all about and, as an artist, striking the universal chord that brings so many people together is truly a blessing.”