If you’re planning on attending this weekend’s Rainbow Days festivities at Six Flags, make sure you keep an eye out for who may be riding in the seats around you. Tiffany is geared up to not only perform as the musical headliner, but to hit up the rollercoasters when she visits Atlanta and Six Flags this Saturday.
“I’ll definitely be on the rides. I’m kinda more chicken throughout the years but I hope that it’s short-lived and I reconnect with my wilder side,” Tiffany joked.
Best known for mega-hits “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Could’ve Been,” September marks the 25th anniversary for the release of Tiffany’s self-titled debut album. Over the course of those 25 years, Tiffany has evolved from a teenage pop princess to a dance diva and actress, an illustrious singer-songwriter, and now with her latest release, 2011’s Rose Tattoo, a country music recording artist.
Prior to releasing her debut album in 1987, Tiffany’s early career included a second-place finish on Star Search, the 80s version of the now ubiquitous vocal competition show. But that doesn’t mean she’s able to keep up with all of today’s shows. “I watch America’s Got Talent but I don’t get to watch a lot of TV because I’m on the road so much,” she reveals. “But also living in Nashville is totally different from living in LA. I have all this acreage out here and I spend a lot of time outdoors.”
With her debut album, Tiffany became the youngest female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard charts. The album’s success was closely tied with an innovative touring promotion that took Tiffany through the nation’s malls instantly connecting her with her blossoming teen fan base.
In a genre of music where the landscape has changed exponentially with Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and more, the 80s teen icon recognizes the role model status that fame bestowed upon her. “There’s a lot more leeway for young stars today. It’s okay to have a boyfriend. It’s okay to dress a little sexy. If I wore something that was a low-cut shirt – forget about it. Mom wouldn’t let her daughter come to my concert.”
While follow-up releases never matched the commercial success of her debut album, Tiffany has explored different genres of music over the last 25 years. On the dance floor, Tiffany has had several Billboard Dance Chart hits including “Higher” and “Just Another Day”.
Equally as impressive is Tiffany’s evolution as a songwriter. “I’ve always wanted to further my songwriting career,” Tiffany admitted. “It was something I regretted that I didn’t hold firm to or put my foot down for but I was 14 at the time of my record deal. I probably wasn’t a great songwriter then but I had potential and people just didn’t want to nurture that.”
Over the years, Tiffany’s songwriting has gained critical success including the release of 2000’s The Color of Silence. Tracks such as the introspective power ballad “If Only”, pop-rock “All the Talking” and the Trisha Yearwood reminiscent “Betty” round out a record that showcases Tiffany’s diverse influences. “As a songwriter, I’m influenced by Emmylou Harris. Vocally, I’ve always got into Tenna Marie and Stevie Nicks – when they sing they just know who they are,” Tiffany shared. “Nowadays I listen to Alex Clare and David Gray. I love Lady Antebellum and Sugarland, and I’m a big fan of Bridgette Tatum who wrote [Jason Aldean’s] ‘I’m Country’.”
Now Tiffany is steadily building a catalog, occasionally holding onto tracks that she wants to record. “All of a sudden you write a great song and you say ‘I want to keep that one for me. Let’s put that on the list of songs that I should cut’,” Tiffany admits.
Some of those keeper tracks made the cut for Tiffany’s first country album, Rose Tattoo, a record that brings Tiffany’s musical journey full circle. “It’s been something that I wanted to do for a very long time,” Tiffany says. “There’s probably never a right time but I met the right producer, Chris Roberts, and he really got the sound. It’s the very first project I’ve funded on my own and started my own label. It’s very much my baby.”
Tiffany credits her gay fans for giving her the ability to move across the musical map. “My gay fans have allowed me to be who I am. They get it. You don’t want to have those boundaries on yourself. There’s a mutual understanding there. They really get me as a songwriter.”
Gay fans can relax because Tiffany is not abandoning them on the dance floors. “I have a track from Rose Tattoo in a remixer’s hands right now. I hear ‘He Won’t Miss Me’ as a big dance single kinda like an ‘Un-Break My Heart’. Why limit the music? There’s a lot of people who wouldn’t buy country but they’re in the dance clubs all the time and that’s my audience and fan base too but I think they could relate to a song like this.”
This weekend’s stop in Atlanta is just one of many things Tiffany is working on for 2012/2013. She’s got a clothing boutique opening up in Nashville, shows planned across the world including Hawaii and Singapore and she’s hoping to get in the studio to record some classic standards for an upcoming album. So be on the lookout; while you may be dancing to her music this weekend at Six Flags, you may just be playing Tiffany’s latest album at a dinner party soon.
For more info on Tiffany visit DivasAndDjs.com.
Tiffany is performing live for Rainbow Days @ Six Flags this weekend and tickets can be purchased at RainbowDaysatSixFlags.com.
