Lindsay Belle

Lindsay Rose Belle, known simply as Lindsay Belle, (born on August 4, 1980) is a American country singer-songwriter and actress, best known for her work in country music.

Belle made her breakthrough into country music in 2006. Her signature hit, (I Wannabe Your) Spice Girl, reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was certified multiplatinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. With the intital success of her debut album Bittersweet, Belle attained widespread national acclaaim for her similarities to vocal style of country legend Patsy Cline. When Belle released her sophomore studio effort in 2007, Lindsey, she went more towards country pop material as compared to the classic country folk genre she recorded with her debut. Belle went on to release two successful albums, Sunset Next To Oklahoma and Free, both which claimed the top spot on Billboard Top 200.

Since her debut, Belle has won many major industry awards, which include one Grammys, four ACMs, two CMAs and six Billboard Music Awards. In addition, Belle has also released four studio albums and nineteen singles throughout her four year music career. She has sold over 12 million albums worldwide.

From 2010 onwards, Belle will venture into the acting and filming industry and will take an indefinite break from music.

Early Life
Belle was born Lindsay Rose Belle in Nashville, Oklahoma in 1980 to Randall Tex Belle and Trisha Cusack. Her family lived in Nashville, where Bell was raised. As an only child, Belle was showered with attention by her parents. She was singing by the age of five, was enrolled into vocal and dance training, and by the age of eight was performing at local talent shows such as Star Search. At the age of eleven, tragedy struck when Cusack died of breast cancer, Belle lost her motivation and drive to become a singer like she always dream to be. In 1997, Randall married Belle's step mom Daisy Faye.

By the age of twenty-four, Belle graduated with Masters in Veterinary Science from Oklahoma State University. After much realization, Belle decided to move on and pursue a singing career instead. Belle work odd jobs and spent time recording demos in Nashville, where she was discovered by independent label CountriSoul representative Liam Fowler.

Bittersweet
After signing with Countrisoul Records, Belle recorded her debut single "Watch Me Go". The single stalled at #24 on US Billboard Hot Country Songs, despite having minimal airplay and promotion budget. The country-folk guitar-ridden track found similarity to the musical style of KT Tunstall, leading Belle to perform at CD:UK, the only televised appearance in the UK. Shortly after the release of the single, Fowler was involved in financial embezzlement with the label, Belle was subsequently dropped and signed to Lemon Records. It wasn't long until Lemon fold up yet again, leaving Belle in devastation. At that same time, pop singer Arwyn Knight who owns Wired Records, notice Belle's talent and signed her to her UK label.

Belle went on to release her debut album "Bittersweet", followed by the singles "Hey Lucy!", "Remember", "(I Wannabe Your) Spice Girl", "Country Girls" and "Beautiful Hands". Belle found moderate success in UK and the Stateside, where she earned a Billboard Award for New Female Artist.

"Bittersweet was everything I had in me before I made it, the best and worst times of my life. Its a storybook in a musical form... I want to write an honest album where people can relate to."

The album propelled Belle as the newest and most current country act on Urapopstar.

Lindsey
"I didn't like what I did for Lindsey. It feels rushed, it was different, very strong lyrically but it feels something's amiss. And then I look back, that wasn't me."

"Lindsey" was the second album for Belle, a near drastic change of direction as Belle lean towards more pop rock rather than country folk she did on the first album. The album was a success in UK, selling over 600,000 copies with only three singles released. The lead single "Showstopper" also caused controversy with a banned video and lyrics with inneundo.

Sunset Next To Oklahoma
Belle was left label-less once again after the closure of Wired in late 2008. "Everything was gone, all the songs were left to dust and I had to start again." Belle form her own label, Berryville, which will co-arm with RCA Nashville to distribute her new recordings. The album was still registered under Wired.

"I wanted to do what I feel most comfortable and love doing. It was country music. It is the story-telling catalogue of songs about life, love. Sunset Next To Oklahoma took me the longest time to write because I wanted it to be perfect, I want to tell my own story and I did."

"Sunset Next To Oklahoma", the third studio album by Belle was released to positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Country Weekly calls it "The folk country classic record with a modern twist". Belle then won Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the Grammys for the lead single, "It's Good, It's Beautiful and It's Funny". "It was the most exciting moment of my life. I've never felt like this before, it wasn't an accomplishment - its a stepping stone."

The album went on to produce hit after hit, with the duet with pop star Elice Claire, "Think Twice, Think Thrice" become the best selling single by Belle. The song also won Best Collaboration at Urapopstar Awards 17 and Video Music Awards. The album sold over 7,000,000 copies worldwide, becoming Belle's best selling album.

Free
"Free" is Belle's fourth studio album, her last in completion of her three-album contract with Wired. "This will my last studio album. I always say, never say never, but I think I've told my story and there are some better left unsaid."

"Don't Mess With The Woman In A Truck" was also made into a feature film, directed by Ken Kwapis, best known for his direction on the hit cult film, He's Just Not That Into You. The feature film which is 30 minutes long, stars Belle as Lindsay, and her series of misadventures relationships she had. The film also stars Elice Claire and ten other male celebrities. The film is an instant hit after being released online through Payperview, with critics and fans-alike raving about the short romantic-comedy film. The video won the Best Video award at Urapopstar Awards 18.

"Don't Mess With The Woman In A Truck" also becomes Belle's first US #1 single, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs. The second single, the Alicia B-penned country rock track, "I'd Rather Have A Cigarette", marks the first single to be released by Belle that was not written by the singer herself. Belle also set up her own charity event Women Who Rock, as well as committing herself as producer and judge on the new season of Idol.

The album produce two more singles, "Now All That's Left (What's Going On?)", a duet with latina superstar Esmeralda Dimuzio and "Wonder Why". The latter became Belle's first and final UK number-one single. Belle will take an indefinite break from the music scene after this album. However, she will stay in the entertainment industry as an actress and film maker.

Vocal ability and musical stylings
Since her debut in 2006, Belle voice and vocal style after often compared to Patsy Cline. Cline was known for her distinctive emotional expression and controlled yodelling in her vocal stylings. She's also compared to LeAnn Rimes, who was known for a similar vocal styling in the early stages of her country career. In 2008, Belle released "Patsy Cline" as a tribute to Cline.

Songwriting
Belle is also known for her story-like songs on her records. Recently, she wrote the coronation songs for Uraps Idol winners Troy Rivers and Genevere Johnson, as well as 11th season runner up Cassie Diamond.

Personal life
Little is known about Lindsay's personal life, but her relationship with husband American actor Mark Scavo was much publicized in the US media.

She also consider close friends with pop stars Elice Claire and Sophie Ramone.

Advocacy
Lindsay is also known for her vast charity work, ranging from the Breast Cancer Awareness - which Belle attends to the annual dinner for spread awareness among women regarding the vicious illness, as well as setting up her own charity fund in 2007, the Lindsay Belle's Home Sweet Home Organization for the orphans. Like good friend China, Belle is also an animal rights activist. Her most recent campaign led the singer to appear naked for PETA to discourage use of bear traps in forests which has grievously injured smaller wild animals such as dogs and deers.

UN Goodwill Ambassador
Main Article: Lindsay Belle elected as an UN Goodwill Ambassador

Country star singer songwriter Lindsay Belle is the newest candidate elected to be a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, as reported by the New York Times.

''The United Nations Children's Fund was created by the assembly of the United Nations to provide help and an emergency needs such as food and healthcare to children in countries that had suffered and devastated by World War II. The UNICEF aims to provide long-term humanitarian, as well as mothers and children in developing countries.''

''Belle, who turns 25 this August, becomes one of the youngest member of association to get chosen to be one of the Goodwill Ambassadors. Past charity work such as the annual Breast Cancer Awareness, RSPCA, the recent PETA campaign as well as the singer's own charity fund, the Lindsay Belle's Home Sweet Home Organization (for the orphanage), made consider to Belle's advocacy and her eligibility to be a part of the UNICEF.''

Lindsay will travel to assist children in the Republic of Liberia, west of Africa, as her first mission as a Goodwill Ambassador next month.

Women Who Rock
Main Article: Women Who Rock In 2010, Lindsay organized the first televised charity show "Women Who Rock" to raise money for the Women Abuse Prevention Association to raise awareness and help victims of domestic violence and physical abuse. The show will feature Lindsay as the host, as well as performing songs, with guest performers such as Loretta Lambert, China, Elice Claire, Violetta DiNozzo, Esmeralda Dimuzio, 4tune and a few more. Those involved in presenting includes Arwyn Knight, Emma Brown, Louise Harlow, Tiara Coles and many other female acts of the past.

The organization is hoping to raise up to £15,000,000. Belle donated £1,000,000 from her own pocket, as well as a dollar from every single she sold of "I'd Rather Have A Cigarette".

Gay Rights
Belle's step brother Jacob, who's openly gay, led Belle to believe that everyone has the equal rights to love and live. Belle made a moving speech at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in 2007.

Tours

 * 2006: Bittersweet Tour (UK)
 * 2007: Bittersweet Tour (US)
 * 2007: The Lindsey tour (UK)
 * 2009: Sunset Next To Oklahoma Tour (US)

Discography
Main Article: Lindsay Belle discography

Filmography
Main Article: Lindsay Belle filmography