MISS MAY 2007

CHRISTI BAUERLEE

Many have probably seen or heard Christi BauerLee and not even known it. The edgy country singer has worked as an actress, model, voiceover specialist and vocalist for a number of film, television and music projects. Backup vocals on Neil Young’s “Living with War” and the theme song to the television show “Family Law” are two of her most noteable highlights. But she’s also worked on “Mind of Mencia,” “Silk Stalkings,” “The Jenny McCarthy Show,” “Days of Our Lives” and has performed with Jada Pinkett-Smith, Kimberly Locke, Lisa Loeb and Great White. Currently, the blonde beauty is touring in support of her debut CD “Working Girl’s Dream,” while writing new material in Nashville. Christi talks her music style, songwriting, how she went from singing to acting and back to singing and more in this flowery May edition of Polly’s Pinups.

COUNTRY ROCKER

CCF: First off, I wanted to talk your style of music. Your stuff is sort of in that same genre of the Dixie Chicks and The Wreckers. It’s country, but there’s some rock there and a bit of pop even. When you talk to someone about your music how do you describe it?

CBL: I’d say my music/sound is like a country Bonnie Raitt. It’s definitely an edgier country, but I come from a mix of country, southern rock and blues background.

CCF: Yeah, I definitely get a southern rock and blues vibe… A lot of people have probably heard you and not even known it. You sang the theme song to the CBS show “Family Law,” which was a cover of the Edwin Starr song “War.” What was that like having your voice be the opening credits for a national TV show?

CBL: It was exciting... I never got tired of tuning in and hearing it at the beginning of the show and when I would, I’d just sit there with a smile on my face and think, “Man! That’s so cool.”

CCF: Very cool… You sang backup on Neil Young’s “Living with War,” correct? What was that whole experience like?

CBL: It was fun! Neil is such a great guy. So nice and unaffected, which I respect and like to see and if anyone should have a big ego, he should. He’s one of our musical legends... I’m also a Frank Sinatra fan, so recording at Capitol Records in Studio A was amazing. I dig stuff like that. (LOL)

CCF: I see a reoccurring “war” theme here. It seems like you are already getting typecast. (LOL)

CBL: Yeah... I guess so! (LOL)

CCF: For awhile you did modeling and acting. At the time was that your intended career path and if so was there anything specific that led you to get into music?

CBL: I had always been into music. In fact it was music that got me into modeling. I was singing in Baltimore, someone talked me into getting into a contest… I became the cover model for a calendar which raised a great deal of money for burn victims. That took me to Miami where I modeled, then fell into acting. It wasn’t until I filmed a movie that a director heard me sing and wanted to me to record and potentially co-produce the theme song to his film.... It’s when I finally got out to L.A. that I hooked up with a producer and actually started writing and recording.

CCF: Weird how things like that work…You like to take part in charitable causes. If I understand correctly, part of the reason hits very close to home for you. Why don’t you share a bit about the traumatic experience your family has dealt with?

CBL: My little brother was in a car accident in 2000 and suffered a brain injury. He was given a five percent chance to live and doctors said if he did survive he would more then likely be brain dead, but he came out of the coma.

CCF: How’s your brother doing these days?

CBL: He learned to walk and talk again after extensive occupational, cognitive, and speech therapy. He damaged his two frontal lobes of his brain, but we are doing all we can to help find ways he can better his life and hopefully live an independent life in the future.

CCF: Back to your acting days real quick, you were a cocktail waitress in the Demi Moore movie “Striptease” and also appeared in “South Beach Academy” with Corey Feldman?

CBL: Yep.

CCF: Just those two credits are enough to impress me. (LOL) You recently did a pilot webisode called “The Jungle”? Can you tell me about it some? It sounds quite interesting. You play a character named Gloria Mounds that’s an ex-porn star? (LOL)

CBL: There’s a pattern here isn’t there… (LOL) Yeah... Gloria, you gotta love Gloria!! She is an ex-porn star who has now found religion and is more of a business consultant for the porn industry. “The Jungle” is great. The total opposite of “The O.C.”… A crazy beach town where California’s free spirited dysfunctional live.

CCF: To get back to talking about your music, tell me about your songwriting. How does a song come about for you? Do you start out with an idea and sit down to write about that or do you sit done to write and in doing so ideas kind of come to you?

CBL: It all comes out differently. Sometimes it starts with an idea. Sometimes I’ll just be playing my guitar or have a melody and I’ll put an idea to it. I’m much better with coming in with the idea of the song and creating melodies. When I collaborate, which I do a lot these days, someone could have a cool guitar part and I will come up with the melody and then put an idea to it. There are so many way’s it comes to fruition.

CCF: For people that have never heard any of your music, what can they expect to hear from you most recent album?

CBL: A fun, yet soulful sound that everyone can relate too… for all demographics to enjoy in every genre. I have recently had several rappers from New York email me telling me how much they love my song “First Feeling” that’s on my Myspace site. They never thought they’d listen to country. (LOL) Never say never I always say!

CCF: Lastly, what’s next for you? Are you working on new material, are there plans for a national tour, more Corey Feldman movies or what? (LOL)

CBL: Well, waiting to see what “The Jungle” is going to do, meanwhile I am performing in L.A. and Nashville and hope to do more shows for the Brain Injury Association. I’m writing and recording as we speak.

CCF: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions Christi. Good luck with everything. I’m sure we will be hearing a lot more from you in the future.

CBL: Thanks Chad! Take care and all the best to you as well!

- CCF, May 2007

Make sure to check out Christi’s site for music, merchandise, tour dates and more.