It started to go that way, yes. My first album for Arista wasn't that way at all. Actually my first three albums weren't like that, but then it started to change. You know, I'm proud of all my records, but I just didn't feel like that was where I wanted to be.
So it was a conscious decision to turn your focus?
To head back, yes. (Laughs) To turn back to the barn.
This album is a follow up to your tribute to your father, It's All Relative. Did you feel a lot of pressure covering your father's music?
I did. I really did! I wanted to do it justice and I wanted to make him proud. I wanted to please the older fans, but also find a way to turn the younger generation on to his music. Maybe they'll go back and seek his work out. I had a lot of goals with that one.
On Rhinestoned you wrote "The Hard Way" with your brother. Are you often song-writing partners?
As often as we can. We come from the same place, so when we write together our voice is similar. Most of the time when you have a co-writer, it's usually two distinctive voices. With my brother and me, it's almost like we're songwriting twins. It's a little more singular.
Is it in any way autobiographical?
In a general kind of way, yes, absolutely. I feel like most everything I did learn, I learned the hard way. I've gotten better about that as I've matured, but certainly when I was younger that was definitely the case.
How was it different recording for your own imprint?
Even when I was with Arista records, which was the freest part of my career, you still have to run a lot of stuff by committee whether it's a budget, or the album artwork, or how may songs you get to record. This was total freedom. We had nobody to answer to. We didn't have to get anything approved.
It was just the greatest feeling. We chose exactly who we worked with and when we did it. We set the deadlines. It was fantastic.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Nice interview Connie. I haven't heard Tillis' music in a long time, but this makes me want to check her new stuff out.
2 - Connie Phillips
Thanks, Mat. I haven't really taken the time to listen to her more recent stuff either until the opportunity to do the interview and review Rhinestoned came up. My interest has been renewed too.
3 - Lynn Terrell
Pam is a very gentle relaxing voice of this generation. Her new CD Rhinestoned is a great comforting compilation that could touch anyone. I personally love the single "Over My Head" It has an Ireland Sound and with irish roots it touches my soul and brings me great joy. Blessings to you Pam with this single and CD. The Terrell Family
4 - Kenneth O'Hearn
No matter what she does, Pam is great!!! How do I get a demo of 3 songs to her please??