Deana Carter - The Story Of My Life

Deana Carter literally got tears in her eyes the first time she listened back to the final version of The Story of My Life.'All I could think was, finally I got to make a record exactly the way I would if it was left totally up to me. There was no input from record companies or producers or anyone. Frankly, it's what I wanted to do from the start. I followed my instincts this time 100 percent, and it was an awesome experience.' says Carter herself.

Sounds like it, too. Open-hearted and vulnerable, yet full of wit and mischief, The Story of My Life is the sound of a true artist - one with a distinct voice, lyrical ideas and musical style. 'I like for there to be a couple of moments on an album where someone says, 'Did she just say what I think she did?' I love that. If I get to do what I want to do, like I did on this record, then there's going to be some surprises.'

The sound is just as personal and distinctive as Carter's songs and her singular voice. 'I hope that when people hear this record, they get a sense of who I am, of my personality, of the dichotomy between my serious side and my lighter side,' she says. 'I hope some of my longtime fans hear it and say, 'There she is!' But I also hope I reach some new people who might not have heard me in the past.'

Listen to samples:

• The Girl You Left Me For
• One Day At A Time
• Ordinary
• In A Heartbeat
• Katie
• Atlanta & Birmingham
• She's Good For You
• Not Another Love Song
• Sunny Day
• Getting Over You
• The Story Of My Life