Page 98 - Coffee County

years. Even with her busy performance schedule, she still enjoys the typical teenager activities. She loves to go riding on a four-wheeler, playing tennis and of course, shopping. Amber jokingly says, “Sometimes I think if people would just pay me in shoes instead of money, I would be a happy girl.” She will be a junior at CCA this upcoming school year and she continues to cheer for the varsity basketball teams. One of her most nervous times in the past year was when the headmaster asked her to sing the National Anthem before a basketball game. Her nerves were not from singing in front of a crowd. She was experienced at that. Her nerves were from singing in front of her peers. Looking down and seeing her

fellow cheerleaders and classmates on the team, all she could think was these were the people she really wanted to make proud of her. And she did. When the song was fnished, the crowd erupted in applause and her fellow teammates were waiting on the sidelines to hug her. That was a special moment for her. All those activities simply have to wait if she gets a chance to do what she loves best and that is sing. Many of her weekends are flled with festival appearances and opening for a number of local artists. Shenandoah, Lance Stinson, Lee Brice, Rhett Atkins, Lee Bates, The River and Kayson Layne are a few of the acts she has opened for in the past. She joined country artist Dallas Rodgers in a concert celebration

recently. He says, “Amber is the most talented girl that has come through the south. Amber is a wonderful friend and a heck of a singer. We have performed in shows together throughout this past year and I'm glad we have had that chance. She has had a wonderful year and I am looking forward to another.” Performing with such great local artists has encouraged and motivated Amber even more. She readily admits that the bigger the stage is, the better she likes performing. She loves the adrenaline of standing in front of a large cheering crowd and giving it her best to entertain them. This does not stop her from enjoying the one-to-one contact with people. After one concert, a listener from Florida approached her. Amber recalls that she had just sung the Leann Rimes song Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way. With tears in her eyes, the woman told her how much the song meant to her and that Amber sang it so beautifully. Those moments, when she knows she really connects with someone through her singing, mean a lot. Another special time for Amber is singing on Veteran’s Day. Her hometown of Nicholls sponsors a meal at Country Girl's Restaurant for the local veterans. Amber says, “I am honored to sing for them. It is the least I can do to show my appreciation for what they have done for me and our country.”

Amber continues to work with Caves to reach her goals. With the support of her family, Amber pushes forward. Her parents put feet to their words. Her mom says, “Amber has the potential to make it all the way. We back her 100% and show her we believe in her. As long as she continues working hard at it, there is no limit to what she can do.” And there is no limit to the support her parents will give her. When Amber had the opportunity to travel to Nashville, Tennessee to perform, her parents were right beside her. She was able to perform for Colt Records’ owner J.K. Coltrain, an award winning