Miranda Lambert is a country singer/songwriter who gained fame as a finalist on the 2003 season of USA Network's talent competition Nashville Star. Her first album, "Kerosene ," debuted at number one on the country album charts in March 2005.

Miranda Lambert was born on November 10, 1983 in Lindale, Texas, about 80 miles east of Dallas. Both of her parents are private investigators, but father Rick is also a country guitarist and songwriter. Lambert became seriously interested in country music after attending a Garth Brooks concert as a young girl, and soon began singing in talent contests under the tutelage of her father.

At 16, Miranda began appearing on the Johnny High Country Music Review in Arlington, Texas, the same show that helped launch the career of LeAnn Rimes. Miranda quickly landed a recording session in Nashville, but left the studio in tears after she became frustrated with the "pop" sound of music that was not her own. Upon returning to Texas, Miranda began writing songs and taking guitar lessons from her father.

When Miranda's aptitude for music became apparent, her parents encouraged her to aggressively pursue singing and acting opportunities. While still a high school student, Miranda made her professional singing debut and fronted the house band at the Reo Palm Isle Ballroom in Longview, Texas, a long-running venue that has showcased Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.

Foregoing college, Miranda performed throughout Texas in 2001 and 2002. She finished first in the Texas auditions for Nashville Star and eventually placed third on the national competition. On September 15, 2003, she signed with Sony records. Her debut album, Kerosene, was released on March 15, 2005.

Awards and Critical Acclaim

Lambert joined a select group of artists when her first album, "Kerosene," debuted at number one on the country charts. Lambert wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks on the album, which met with wide critical acclaim. Nashville Scene named Kerosene one of the best albums of 2005, and RIAA recently certified Kerosene a gold album.

In 2005 at the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Miranda won the Cover Girl Fresh Face of Country Music Award.

Miranda was nominated for the Country Music Association's Horizon Award in 2005 and performed "Kerosene" at the CMA Awards in New York City.

Miranda was nominated for and won the "Album of the Year" award at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards for her latest album Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.