CHARTING HER TERRITORY
Alexander rising in Texas radio playlists
By Lori Mellinger Bullard Banner News
Lauren Alexander remains grounded - as much as she can be - for someone who's charting on the Texas Music Charts higher than Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith - all at the tender age of 14.

Alexander is - by no means - a stranger to performing.

She has, after all, spent more than half her life on stage.

Now she's beginning to reap the fruits of her labor.

The Texas Regional Report, with the week ending April 6, 2007, has Alexander's newest single, "Goodbye To You," at number 36, while the Texas Music Chart has her at number 26 - up one slot from last week.

"This is a big deal," said Mike Alexander, her father and her manager. "And she deserves it; she's been working incredibly hard this year."

Lauren took a leave from school for a few months this year for a grueling tour. Now back in school, her after-school hours are consumed with practices, performances and all the PR work it takes to keep her in the forefront of radio stations.

That means juggling school and her ever-widening music career. With her new CD released 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 hard-working 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.

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 full-time 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 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 - and with her recent arrival on the charts, the idea doesn't seem far-fetched.

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.

Lauren will be performing locally at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, beginning at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Brook Hill School.

For more information on Lauren's new work and appearances, visit her Web-site at www.laurenalexander.com.