September 4, 2007
© Brett Williams
New Artist Spotlight: Beverley Mitchell
By Bob Doerschuk
© 2007 CMA Close Up News Service / Country Music Association, Inc.
Though Beverley Mitchell has enjoyed an 11-year run on the popular TV show "7th Heaven," her talents as a Country singer have been less established - until now.
With the release of her self-titled debut on ROM/Daywind/Quarterback Records, Mitchell shows a way with a tune that's comparable to her level of work on The CW Network hit series along with various other TV and film appearances. Admittedly, she got an earlier start as an actor, beginning at age 4 as the star in an Oscar Meyer commercial. She was already a veteran by the time she won the role of Lucy Camden on "7th Heaven," having starred in made-for-TV movies "White Dwarf," "Mother of the Bride" and "Sinatra" and had guest-starring roles on "Baywatch" and "Melrose Place."
The film world has also opened to Mitchell, whose appearances in "The Crow: City of Angels" and "Saw II" inspired the site allmovie.com to praise her as "gifted," "charismatic" and "dazzling." But Country Music never stopped singing in her soul. Inspired by Garth Brooks, The Eagles and Reba McEntire, she booked trips to Nashville during breaks in her acting schedule for creative sessions with Greg Becker, D. Scott Miller, Jim Weatherly and other successful songwriters.
As a result, when the time came to start recording her debut, Mitchell had assembled a strong enough catalog to share credit for seven of its 14 tracks. Her first single, "Heaven on Earth Down Here," is a slow power ballad, with plenty of room for Mitchell to hit the high spots on the chorus and leave an impression that she has as much of a future behind the microphone as she does before the camera.
IN HER OWN WORDS:
Who is your dream duet partner?
"Garth Brooks."
Who is your musical hero?
"Reba McEntire."
What CD is on your stereo?
"Sugarland's Enjoy the Ride."
If you wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?
"Dreams Do Come True."
What song do you wish you had written?
"'When You Say Nothing at All,' my favorite song."
What actor would portray you in a biopic about your life?
"Hopefully me."
What moment in your life would you relive if you could?
"Nothing. I love my life. Everything has made me who I am."
On the Web: www.thebeverleymitchell.com
