By Lori Lloyd. Amber Carrington, a 16-year-old junior at Rockwall High School, has been amazing audiences with her vocal abilities for years. 

As Mesquite’s Rodeo City Music Hall’s 2009 Female Entertainer of the Year, as well as the 2008 People’s Choice Award winner, Carrington has been recognized locally for her singing talent, but now she is preparing to launch as a national artist.

Last year, David Foster heard Carrington sing while he was in Dallas.  Foster invited Carrington to Los Angeles to perform for a Benefit Show for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Malibu.  Carrington performed along side Foster, as well as Kenny G and Katharine McPhee.

On August 11, 2009, Carrington and her grandmother, Jean Vice, flew to Los Angeles CA to meet with several country songwriters from Nashville, as well as her management team, headed up by Nick Cokas and Adam Anders of Anders-Cokas Entertainment. The purpose of the trip was to meet and discuss her future as an entertainer, as well as put the final touches on their contract, which has been in the works with Carrington’s attorney for almost a year.

Cokas and his wife, McPhee, have been following Carrington’s career for years.  Last year, Cokas began the process of signing her to her first entertainment contract.

“I have followed Amber for about 3 years now,” said Cokas.  “I can’t think of another current country singer who, at her age, has such depth in how she interprets music; she’s the whole package.”

Anders is a singer, songwriter, and producer from Los Angeles and Nashville.  His latest project was creating all the music for the new FOX-TV series “Glee,” to air this fall.  He is currently working on a project with Miley Cyrus and has written and produced songs for an amazing list of artists.

While in California, Carrington attended several writing sessions and worked with some country music writers from Nashville.  One of those writers, Luke Laird, was responsible for Carrie Underwood’s songs, “So Small” and “Last Name”.  Laird, McPhee and Carrington collaborated on a song, which Carrington will continue to perfect during a future visit to Nashville.

Also, Steve Diamond, who wrote “I Swear” and another songwriter, Zac Poor, teamed up with Anders to work on a song idea that Diamond had for her. Carrington worked on this song in the studio and recorded it for possible use in the future. 

During the LA visit, Amber was given the royal treatment.  McPhee took Carrington to her personal hair dressers and makeup artist.   Stylists gave Carrington pointers and a new hair cut. 

“Several things came up about Texas in their conversations about hair and makeup,” said Carrington.  “They would have remarks like ‘is that a Texas thing?’

Carrington is scheduled to meet with Cokas and several songwriters again in Nashville in November to continue their work and to network with others in the entertainment business.

Meanwhile, Carrington will still perform at RCMH and at other local events that may arise.  To check show line-ups, go to www.rodeocitymusichall.com.

Lori Lloyd writes news stories for the Rodeo City Music Hall.

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