STAR-FILLED SENDOFF
Alexander helps wish star hopeful well
Lauren Alexander is - by no means - a stranger to performing. She has, after all, spent more than half her life on stage. But when she was asked to participate in the sendoff for East Texan Kasey Musgraves - she was honored.

At left, Bullard resident Lauren Alexander performs a set at the sendoff party for Nashville Star hopeful Kasey Musgrave. The show was held in Musgrave’s hometown, Mineola on Thursday. Below, Alexander bids Musgrave good luck on the show, which begins Jan. 11 -- Photos courtesy of Jessica Alexander

"Kasey has worked for a long time for this, and I was flattered to be asked to perform at her last event before she leaves for Nashville," Alexander said.

And while the Mineola-native Musgraves leaves any day now - to compete on "Nashville Star," an American-Idol-type program for country and western performers, Lauren wishes her the best.

But, she, too, is going back to work. And that means juggling school and her ever-widening music career. With a new CD set for release and the work involved in writing many of her songs, most teens would be daunted - but Lauren remains ground, focused and determined.

Alexander began performing publicly at age 6.

But basically, Lauren is a hardworking girl with a dream - and a very supportive family.

It was the fall of 1998 when Lauren first took the stage.

It was that moment that everything changed for her, her father Mike said.

"From a normal 6 year old there was a desire to do something a little bit different. That cloudy Sunday in church was the start of what now seems an inevitable career in the music business," he said.

Her ability as a vocalist has been compared to artists such as LeAnn Rimes, Brenda Lee and a host of others. Lauren performs somewhere most every week - many times more than that.

“Lauren has bookings through a lot of 2006 already” said her mother Debi. Lauren has opened for Dan Seals, and performed as an opening act for Pat Green at the Cattle Barons Gala.

She has also performed as the opening act for Asleep At The Wheel.

The now-14-year-old veteran still admits to nervousness before each show, but when she steps onto the stage, she said she feels, “completely at ease, like being at home.”

Alexander has had a fulltime band since age 11, and has performed everywhere - from here in Bullard to television appearances.

Her father Mike - who is also her producer - is her biggest fan.

And her Debi and little sister Jessica spend a lot of time helping out.

Their weekends are consumed with performances, even as she works to maintain the honor roll at school and even play volleyball.

Between performances and school she works on her guitar and songwriting skills. She hopes to make music her career.

Those who have heard her sing know she’s well on her way.

“Lauren has the work ethic like someone twice her age,” said her father, Mike.

People often ask, Mike said, if this is her dream or his.

His response is just to ask her, “My dad, my family - they’ve never pushed me.

“They’ve always supported me, and they are the reason I’m able to live my dream.

And her dream is?

“There are so many artists these days that make a record and hope it gets heard, I believe that to be successful you have to take your music to the people,” she said.

Meanwhile, Musgraves can be seen beginning Jan. 11 on Nashville Star on the USA network.

For more information on Lauren’s new work and appearances, visit her Website at www.laurenalexander. com.