K.d. lang

Singing at country & western venues in her homeland, she made several recordings that received good reviews and earned a 1985 Canadian Juno Award for "Most Promising Female Vocalist".

In 1986 she signed a contract with an American record producer in Nashville, Tennessee and received critical acclaim for her 1987 album, Angel with a Lariat. Her career received a huge boost when rock legend, Roy Orbison chose her to record a duet of his standard, "Crying." Instead of being overwhelmed by the power of Orbison's three octave voice, the two blended their tremendous vocal ranges into a riveting collaboration. Later that same year she would sing female background vocals with Jennifer Warnes and Bonnie Raitt for Orbison's acclaimed television special, A Black and White Night.

k.d. lang won a Grammy Award for "Best Country Vocal Performance, Female" for her 1989 album, Absolute Torch and Twang.

In addition to her musical talents lang has championed lesbian causes. Her animal rights vegetarian stands including a "Meat Stinks" campaign has created much controversy, particularly in her hometown in the middle of Alberta's cattle ranching industry.

The album, Ingenue, released in 1992, contained her most popular song, "Constant Craving" that brought her multi-million sales and much critical acclaim.

Discography

• Live by Request 2001
• Invincible Summer 2000
• Drag 1997
• All You Can Eat 1995
• Even Cowgirls Get The Blues 1993
• Ingenue 1992
• Absolute Torch and Twang 1989
• Shadowland 1988
• Angel With A Lariat 1987

Further reading

• Are You Ready for the Country: Elvis, Dylan, Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock, Peter Dogget, Penguin Books, 2001. ISBN 0-140-26108-7
• Dreaming Out Loud: Garth Brooks, Wynona Judd, Wade Hayes and the changing face of Nashville, Bruce Feiler, Avon Books, 1998. ISBN 0-380-97578-5

Other links

Academy of Country Music

List of country musicians

Country Music Association