Somethin' ... Good

There are country superstars, and then there's Miranda Lambert. She scored a rare double play two weeks ago, sitting jointly at the top of the country album and songs chart, with "Platinum" and "Somethin' Bad," respectively.

Lambert's "Platinum" tour in support of the album of the same name kicked off yesterday in Ohio. Saturday, it visits the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion in Rogers with guests The Swon Brothers and RaeLynn.

Lambert's schedule prevented her from a phone conversation, but she did answer a few email questions. Our questions, and her responses, follow below.

Q. "Automatic" was your seventh No. 1 hit. Tell me why you think that song resonated with listeners.

A. "Automatic" is a song about the good life. It's about slowing down, taking a breath and remembering what it's like to live life a little more simply. It's not about going back, but reminiscing about what it was like. The song brings back good memories and it reminds me to take a deep breath and to remember that getting there is half the fun.

Q. You had a sock hop to celebrate the song reaching No. 1. Tell me a little bit about the idea behind that celebration.

A. I told my co-writers Nicolle Galyon and Natalie Hemby that if this song went No. 1 we would have a sock hop to celebrate. I just love themes, and this felt like a good idea. Plus we had a fun '50s style band playing live; always makes the party better.

Q. Your current single, "Somethin' Bad," features Carrie Underwood. Tell me how the collaboration came about.

A. I always wanted to collaborate with Carrie, and we kept talking about it and looking for the right song. When "Somethin' Bad" came around, it just was a great tune for us to have some fun with and we did. And it's been too long that two ladies in our genre came together on a recording.

Q. As of last week, you were on top of the country album chart with "Platinum" and also the country song chart with "Somethin' Bad." How do you keep momentum after that kind of week?

A. I guess you just hope for the best. I am about to start my "Platinum" tour, so I don't have a choice. Hopefully the fans will love hearing the record live.

Q. You've started selling clothes, shoes and wine. You also own a bed and breakfast. What's next in line for the Miranda Lambert world takeover?

A. I've always said I want to build an empire. I am just doing what I love and bringing my ideas to life, you never know what's next.

Q. Summarize what we might expect from you on this stop on the "Platinum" tour.

A. Hopefully the fans will leave their worries at the door and just come hang out and have a good time. I will play my hits and some great new songs off "Platinum," my new album, as well as a cover or two.

-- Kevin Kinder

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