Push aside the impressions you may have about LeAnn Rimes from all the recent media coverage surrounding her personal life.
While she’s had some publicly dicey moments in recent years — especially during her engagement and her marriage to actor Eddie Cibrian — let’s not forget her career accomplishments. Anyone who has sold more than 40 million albums, won two Grammy Awards (she’s the youngest recipient of the honor), three Academy of Country Music Awards and more has done a lot right.
“I grew up in a house where we never knew [creative] boundaries,” Rimes, who has declined to do interviews in the past year, previously told The Washington Examiner. “It’s natural to dabble in different things.”
| If you go |
| LeAnn Rimes |
| When: 8 p.m. Tuesday |
| Where: Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW |
| Info: $65 to $70; 202-803-2899; thehowardtheatre.com |
Rimes made her name as a child prodigy, taking two Grammy Awards for her debut album “Blue” when she was 13 years old. But her shift from country to pop brought negative reviews from critics and left Rimes struggling to regain her musical momentum.
In 2005, Rimes again found her musical footing when she released “This Woman.” The album went gold and hit No. 2 on the Billboard Country charts. Her 2011 cover album, “Ladies and Gentlemen,” which was co-produced by Vince Gill, only went to No. 7 on the Billboard Country charts. Many critics mused that the album, on which Rimes primarily covers songs made famous by male vocalists, didn’t do well because of the tabloid stories about her personal life.
It seems Rimes is now pushing back with her music. At a small gathering at her record label, Rimes introduced industry insiders to 10 of the 15 tunes on her upcoming album “Spitfire,” which is set to be released this year. She told attendees that the songs, most of which she wrote, are about all aspects of love and her own personal stories.
“It’s really bitchy, and it’s so me,” Rimes said about the title track, according to AOL country music site “The Boot.” “We could dedicate this to so many people. You can probably figure it out once you hear the song.”
It’s a good guess that those who attend her acoustic show at the Howard Theatre won’t be left guessing.
