Billie Myers Arrives

Billie Myers hit the charts in 1997 with the worldwide smash "Kiss The Rain" and her hit debut album Growing Pains. Myers is back with her second CD, Vertigo, which is even better than her first album.

Myers was discovered in an interesting way. She was living in the UK and working as a poet. She had also worked as a nurse and insurance agent and had never sung professionally. One evening she was at a club and a record producer saw her dancing. The producer told her if she sang as well as she danced they should work on some songs together. The producer eventually introduced her to Desmond Child, and they did write music together. That led to a publishing deal and eventually a recording contract.

Growing Pains was released in 1997, and the success of that CD and the Top 20 hit single "Kiss the Rain" led Myers all over the world. She toured with Lilith Fair and Savage Garden, and appeared on many TV show including "The Tonight Show" and "Rosie O'Donnell". I had the chance to meet Billie at a radio convention in early 1998. Myers' mother is English and her father Jamacian, which accounts for her exotic looks. I spoke with her for a few minutes and she seemed like a genuinely nice person. She seemed a little overwhelmed with the success of her music and how well it was being received and really happy about it.

Myers' adjustment to her success and stardom is reflected in Vertigo's first single, "Am I Here Yet." Billie says "Am I Here Yet reflects the past two years, all that's happened to me since the last record. The thing about success is that you always chase it, and it seems like you never find it. There was a time when I thought I wasn't a good enough singer, or would watch MTV and think, 'I don't look like that! I'm not skinny enough! I don't belong here!' I eventually decided I didn't want to be famous for something I'm not. This is me, take it or leave it"

Vertigo show Myers' newfound confidence in herself and her musical abilities. Her sophomore effort finds her coming into her own. There's a lot more honesty in this one," says Billie. "That's just my poetic nature coming out. I'm not hiding behind my metaphors; there's a lot more reality. Everyone who's heard the record tells me how much they like it, even people who don't have to say nice things."

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