Both of her parents are private investigators, but father Rick is also a country guitarist and songwriter. Lambert became seriously interested in country music after attending a Garth Brooks concert as a young girl, and soon began singing in talent contests under the tutelage of her father.
At 16, Miranda began appearing on the Johnny High Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas, the same show that helped launch the career of LeAnn Rimes. Miranda quickly landed a recording session in Nashville, but left the studio in tears after she became frustrated with the "pop" sound of music that was not her own. Upon returning to Texas, Miranda began writing songs and taking guitar lessons from her father.
When Miranda's aptitude for music became apparent, her parents encouraged her to aggressively pursue singing and acting opportunities. While still a high school student, Miranda made her professional singing debut and fronted the house band at the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom in Longview, Texas, a long-running venue that has showcased Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.
Foregoing college, Miranda performed throughout Texas in 2001 and 2002. She finished first in the Texas auditions for Nashville Star and eventually placed third on the national competition.
Discography
On September 15, 2003, she signed with Sony records. She has since released three studio albums, 2005's Kerosene, 2007's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, 2009's Revolution and 2011's Four The Record; all four of which debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Kerosene,Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Revolution have been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Miranda Lambert has release a total of fourteen singles, which includes five Top 20 hits; of these, Kerosene and Gunpowder & Lead have been certified Gold singles by the RIAA.
Awards and Critical Acclaim
In 2005, at the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Miranda won the Cover Girl Fresh Face of Country Music Award. In 2005, she was also nominated for the Country Music Association's Horizon Award and performed "Kerosene". Nashville Scene named Kerosene one of the best albums of 2005
Miranda was nominated for and won the "Album of the Year" award at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards for her latest album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Dry Town
Miranda Lambert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good hundred miles 'tween me and Mazula
That violet top wasn't gettin' no cooler
So I stopped at a quickie sack
Well, I figured I'd need about a sixth of Miller
And one of those things so I wouldn't spill 'er
And I asked the girl if the beer was in the back
She said
It's a dry town
No beer, no liquor for miles around
I'd give a nickel for a sip or two
To wash me down
Outta this dry town
So I turn right around, no hesitation
Cursed the law for ruinin' the nation
Waved goodbye to the boy at the station
But she wouldn't go into gear
He said, it sounds like your transmission
You need Bob, but he's gone fishin'
His day off, he gets a long way from here
'Cause
It's a dry town
No beer, no liquor for miles around
I'd give a nickel for a sip or two
To wash me down
Outta this dry town
Well, back home friend, you can get a dose of
Something strong from your local grocer
So I walked down till I came a little closer
To a place called Happy John's
He said, "I keep something here for colds and fevers
Down underneath where I usual leave her
Just last night I felt a cold comin' on."
Now it's a dry town
No beer, no liquor for miles around
I'd give a nickel for a sip or two
To wash me down
Outta this dry town
I need a sip or two
To wash me down
Outta this dry town
The song "Dry Town" by Miranda Lambert is a story song about a traveler who gets stranded in a dry town without any access to alcohol. The singer of the song is on a long road trip in a hot and dry area where he needs a break. He stopped at a store called Quickie Sack to buy some beer and a cup to drink it in to quench his thirst. However, he was surprised to hear that the town he was in was a "dry town" where alcoholic drinks were banned. The singer was disappointed and frustrated, realizing he couldn't find any drinks anywhere.
He then turns around to leave the town but discovers that his car won't start. He tries to seek help from the boy at the gas station who tells him that the town mechanic Bob is out fishing, and he won't be able to fix his car. He is forced to stay in the dry town even longer. To make matters worse, he comes down with a cold and needs an alcoholic drink to help him feel better. However, he can't find any, even when he walked down to Happy John's.
The song portrays the singer's frustration and disappointment at being stuck in a dry town without access to alcohol when he needs it. It highlights the absurdity and inconvenience of dry laws in certain towns, an issue that many people have experienced at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the road was hot and flat as a ruler
The road was scorching and completely straight for a long distance.
Good hundred miles 'tween me and Mazula
There were about a hundred miles between the singer's current location and Mazula.
That violet top wasn't gettin' no cooler
The car's engine was getting hotter and hotter by the minute.
So I stopped at a quickie sack
The artist stopped at a small convenience store.
Well, I figured I'd need about a sixth of Miller
The artist estimated that they needed a sixth of a bottle of Miller beer.
And one of those things so I wouldn't spill 'er
The singer also wanted to purchase a device that would prevent the beer from spilling.
And I asked the girl if the beer was in the back
The singer inquired if the store had any beer in stock.
She said
The store employee replied,
It's a dry town
Alcohol is prohibited in this town.
No beer, no liquor for miles around
There are no stores or establishments selling alcohol for miles around the area.
I'd give a nickel for a sip or two
The singer would pay anything for just a small amount of alcohol.
To wash me down
To relieve or comfort the artist from the heat and exhaustion of the road.
Outta this dry town
To leave the town that does not sell alcohol.
So I turn right around, no hesitation
The singer immediately turned the car around without any delay or second thoughts.
Cursed the law for ruinin' the nation
The singer criticized the prohibition law for negatively affecting the country.
Waved goodbye to the boy at the station
The artist said farewell to the gas station attendant.
But she wouldn't go into gear
The car wouldn't start or move forward, causing frustration for the artist.
He said, it sounds like your transmission
The gas station attendant suggested that the car's transmission was faulty.
You need Bob, but he's gone fishin'
The singer needed someone named Bob to repair the car, but he was currently away fishing.
His day off, he gets a long way from here
Bob takes his day off very seriously and travels far away from town.
Well, back home friend, you can get a dose of
In the artist's hometown, buying alcohol is easy and accessible.
Something strong from your local grocer
A strong drink can easily be purchased from a nearby grocery store.
So I walked down till I came a little closer
The singer walked until they reached a closer destination.
To a place called Happy John's
The artist arrived at a place called Happy John's.
He said, 'I keep something here for colds and fevers
The person at Happy John's told the singer that they had a drink that was meant for cold and fever relief.
Down underneath where I usual leave her
The drink was located beneath a surface or area where the person usually keeps it.
Just last night I felt a cold comin' on.'
The person had used the drink recently to ease cold symptoms.
Now it's a dry town
The town does not sell any alcoholic beverages.
I need a sip or two
The artist is desperate for a small amount of alcohol.
To wash me down
The singer wants to relieve the heat and exhaustion of the road.
Outta this dry town
The singer wants to leave the town that does not sell alcohol.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID TODD RAWLINGS, GILLIAN HOWARD WELCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind