PopImpressKA Journal for Camille Sanders Singer/Actress, Performing Artist, young sensation of music world Camille started playing the piano with her grandfather at the age of three, and at age 9 she started playing the fiddle. During this time Camille and her grandfather (Howard Yeargan) started playing Gospel shows together around South Texas. When Camille turned 13, she started singing as a solo artist. Camille taught herself the guitar at 13 when she was asked to open for Gary P. Nunn at a Memorial day show in Concan, Texas. She purchased a guitar on May 5th and taught herself to play in less than a month; her hour long show was great. Camille plays the piano, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and is teaching herself the banjo and cello. Camille has played for the late Governor Dolph Briscoe, sung with Randy Rogers, Kyle Park, and Cory Morrow, at a song swap. Camille has opened for Pat Green, The Bellamy Brothers, Joe Nichols, Tanya Tucker, Randy Rogers, Barbara Fairchild, and Bruce Robison just to name a few. She has performed at multiple opry shows around Texas, performed in Vail, Colorado and at the world famous Tootsies in Nashville, Tennessee.Camille has played several times at The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. This is when her band was born! The Camille Sanders Band has performed for the last several years at the rodeo, and at many other fairs, dances, and venues across Texas. She played at the Cowboy Church at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo with none other than Ronnie Huckaby. Ronnie is George Straits keyboard player, and is the leader of ‘The Ace in The Hole Band’. Ronnie and Camille have traveled to several different states performing as a duo, and have opened up for acts such as The Bellamy Brothers and Pam Tillis. Camille was cast in a Lifetime Original movie called ‘A Country Christmas Story’ with Dolly Parton! Dolly wrote a song for Camille’s character called ‘Fiddlin’ Around.’ Later, after the movie was aired on Lifetime, Dolly wrote Camille a letter giving her permission to record and release the song. Camille had met Joe Vulpis, a producer and musician, in Nashville a few years prior. Joe and Camille decided the time was right to collaborate on a new project, and record Dolly’s song. They then added 5 original songs written by Joe Vulpis, with some of the songs being co-written by Camille. The whole project seemed to fall effortlessly into place. With Dolly’s blessing and their own songs, it was time to record the new project, that Joe produced, called ‘Horizon’. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: PJ: When did you start performing? CS: I started performing at age 9 when I learned to play the fiddle. My grandfather and I would perform in churches across Texas playing gospel music. My singing career began when I was 13, and was asked to open for Gary P. Nunn at a local dancehall. I had to quickly learn how to play the guitar to accompany myself for the show, and fell in love with performing! PJ: Who are the most interesting people that have influenced your life and how? CS: Throughout my life, I have always found inspiration from all genres of music. Musicians such as Alison Krauss, George Strait, and even people like Yo-Yo Ma and The Beach Boys, have influenced the music I play and write. In my personal life, my grandfather introduced music into my life, and helped develop my love for playing. Ronnie Huckaby, of George Strait’s ‘Ace In The Hole Band’, also played a big part in my musical life. He taught me so much about the music industry, how to chart songs and lead a band. PJ: What does your family do for you and how do they support you? CS: My family has always supported me, they are at every show cheering me on! My Dad, Paul Sanders, helps book my shows and haul all of my equipment and sound. My family is wonderful, they are a huge part of my career and life. 4. What are your future plans, and what do you want to make of your career? My goal in music has always been to garner respect, and happiness, because those two things equal success to me. I want music to be my lifelong career, I could never imagine doing something that wasn’t rooted in music! Music has always been my dream, I am so thankful to be able to turn my dream into my reality! PJ: How do you manage school and music? CS: I actually just graduated from high school. I was home schooled my entire life, and my senior year of high school I took online classes. That freed me up so much to be able to travel anywhere I needed to go and still keep up with my school work. There were many times that I had to submit my work from Airports and Hotels! Camille's new CD is available on iTunes and CDBaby.com. Visit her website, www.camillesanders.com or her facebook page, Camille Sanders Music, for more information.
