Tanya Tucker
with special guest Johnny Bush
Tanya Tucker
with special guest Johnny Bush
Edgy. Classic. Country.
A defining voice of country music and a modern day legend, Tanya Tucker inspired many female artists who still top the charts today. From the signature classic songs to the unforgettable sass and soul of her voice, Tucker has paved a path in country music and beyond through an unprecedented level of success and continues her longevity today due to a natural, undeniable talent.
When producer Billy Sherrill received a demo tape of Tucker, he quickly signed her to a record deal at Columbia Records. Her style has proven to be timeless ever since she recorded her debut single “Delta Dawn,” at age 13. The single earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Female Country Vocal Performance” and launched Tucker into the national spotlight during the beginning of her teenage years.
In 1972, she earned the “Top New Female Vocalist” award by the Academy of Country Music. With a wildly growing career at such a young age, the Tucker craze continued with her first number one single, in 1973, “What’s Your Mama’s Name.”
Tucker achieved an unusual feat for a female country artist at the time with a 1974 Rolling Stone cover story with the headline, “Hi, I’m Tanya Tucker, I’m 15, You’re Gonna Hear From Me.” As additional hits continued, Tucker added an edgy rock image, which she still embraces, to her musical taste with the album T.N.T, which was released in 1978. The gold certified album peaked at number two on the album charts. Through a collaborative relationship with Glen Campbell, Tucker transitioned to a new label in the early 1980’s and was back in the Top 10 with “Can I See You Tonight,” co-written by hitmaker Deborah Allen (Patty Loveless). Just a few years later, Tucker experienced another hit with “One Love at a Time,” co-written by Paul Overstreet (Randy Travis, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton). With four additional number one charted hits between 1986-1988, Tucker’s career, nearly two decades already underway, was proving to be one for the record books.
The 1990’s gave rise to some of Tucker’s most recognizable and career defining songs, “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” and “It’s a Little Too Late.” New albums, along with multiple versions of greatest hits and live compilation projects, propelled Tucker to become one of the best selling female artists in country music. With a 1994 Super Bowl XXVIII halftime appearance, Tucker was a household name to stay.
Tucker’s latest honor, a special exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, gives visitors the chance to step into Tucker’s rich personal life. “Tanya Tucker: Strong Enough to Bend” runs through May 2015 and features many of Tucker’s favorite items from various eras of her career. From her pink Harley Davidson to her own line of salsa, Tucker’s life is chronicled in a never-before-seen way for fans to get up close and personal with the legend.
In February of 2017, Tanya performed at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for a packed house and was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine. She belted out Randy Travis’s “I Told You So,” paying tribute to her dear friend. She is currently out on her 2018 International Tour, including shows in Canada. She is managed by James Garner and Jerilyn Sawyer of Sawyer & Garner LLC and her agents are Lance Roberts and Nick Meinema of United Talent Agency. Stay tuned for a long awaited new album from the songbird herself.