Paula DeAnda - Paula DeAnda ("Easy" is 4th Single)

[XXIX]

Can dreams come true? Ask Paula DeAnda, the 16-year-old Corpus Christi resident who - in short order - found herself with a rhythm radio hit that made its way on to Billboard's charts (as a result of constant airplay throughout the South West), followed by a live audition in front of music industry legend Clive Davis who signed her on the spot! "I was shocked," says the young singer/songwriter. "I sang for Steve Ferrera, Senior VP, A&R at Arista on a Thursday morning after the label heard my record 'Doing Too Much' was getting airplay and was on the charts. Steve asked me to come back later that day to perform for Clive Davis who offered me a deal right there at my audition, and I had a signed contract by Friday evening." When it sank in that she had been signed by one of the industry's most renowned executives, Paula said "it was just as well I didn't know everything he'd done...I would have probably been even more nervous!"

That audition would prove to be a turning point: Paula sang the Spanish language song "Amor Como Tu" along with the R&B/pop flavored "Doing Too Much" and "Good Girl," two songs which displayed her talent as not just a young singer with a powerhouse voice but as a songwriter in her own right. "I may not have lived through all the things I write about, but I do have friends who have had different experiences which I can put into my songs when I write," Paula explains.

Her signing to Arista is just the latest in a series of events that have catapulted the young lady with the big voice from singing at local parties in San Angelo, Texas to becoming the latest chartmaker to emerge from the burgeoning Corpus Christi music scene.

Speaking about her early musical influences, Paula recalls that Selena was one of the musical artists - along with Shania Twain and LeAnn Rimes - whose songs she would sing at family gatherings in San Angelo. "Selena has always been an inspiration to me because of what kind of person she was. She sang, she wrote, she performed and she remained down-to-earth and close to her family. There really hasn't been anyone who has had her charisma and talent. I remember singing with a hairbrush as my microphone," Paula laughs. "My cousins would be my dancers and I sang songs in English and Spanish. Encouraged by her family who recognized her musicality, Paula began taking piano lessons, performing at weddings and local charity events. "I started to get feedback from the people I sang to. They told me my singing really touched them," she says. "I never realized my music could have that effect. People would tell me I had a God-given blessing." DeAnda family's moved from San Angelo, TX to Corpus Christi, TX in 2002 to continue Paula's music journey since Corpus Christi is known as a hub for new musical talent.

During the next few years, Paula continued working with various musicians and producers in the area. As word spread, Paula met her current manager Ed Ocanas of E.D.O. Entertainment who helped position Paula as the opening act for superstars Nelly, Akon, former Kumbia Kings member Frankie J and rap star Baby Bash and singing at the famed Corpus Christi Bayfest in 2005. "At the shows, I sang the first song I'd written, 'What Would It Take' and then I recorded it," Paula recalls. Released on a local independent label, the song began to get local airplay but it was another song, "Doing Too Much," co-written with Baby Bash (who is also featured on the track), that proved a turning point. Bash and Paula's manager introduced her to producer Happy Perez, another integral force in the increasingly popular Corpus Christi-based radio scene, who cut the hypnotic track at a local studio in the city.

"Doing Too Much" started getting local airplay at the start of 2006 and by the time Paula auditioned for Clive Davis, the song had made enough 'noise' to enter Billboard's charts. In the wake of its success, Paula began working on her debut album in the spring of 2006, while attending high school in Corpus Christi. "For sure, I'm going to be doing songs in Spanish and English, because I still know where I came from and I want to stay true to my roots," says Paula, who says her current favorite artists include labelmate Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Keyshia Cole. "I will definitely be writing songs for the record and basically, I want to have songs that tell stories and have a message in them."

Paula's combination of talent along with the encouragement of friends and the support of family is paying off as "Doing Too Much" continues its chart climb. As she busies herself with recording her first album, the smiling young singer/songwriter says that away from the studio and the stage, she's "a typical teen who enjoys going to movies, attending dance classes, watching sports and, of course, shopping!" - says: "I'm learning to balance everything: my career is my main focus but I know that it's important to continue my education, hang out with my friends and spend time with my family. But of course, I'm very excited about what's happening with my music! Getting the record deal, having a song on the radio...I'm still taking everything in...and I know this is just the beginning..."

You can hear her single "Doing Too Much" featuring Baby Bash at her website... pauladeanda.com/

Her second single "Walk Away" was written by Ne-Yo and Christina Milian; Produced by Stargate.

[notsuchasissy]

I KNOW IM GETTIN THE CD!


i heard clips and they are hot!

[themakshack]

Her music reminds me of Natalie's (i.e. "Goin' Crazy")

[benmcd2000]

Has anyone seen the tracklist for this cd yet? Looking for a song called "Overloved."

[XXIX]

benmcd2000 said:

Has anyone seen the tracklist for this cd yet? Looking for a song called "Overloved."

Dunno, but I have a song called "What Would It Take". It's pretty good.

[Mike]

Wow, that article was really nice. I hope her album is good!

[Damage]

I skimmed this and accidentally saw "paula abdul" and thought, "my god, Idol really is trying to cash in, isn't it".

[Modern Myth]

alex81979 said:

I skimmed this and accidentally saw "paula abdul" and thought, "my god, Idol really is trying to cash in, isn't it".

I too thought that. haha.

[SHOOTER]

Her single is kinda losing steam! Wonder how well the album's gonna do!!

[XXIX]

ohshooter said:

Her single is kinda losing steam! Wonder how well the album's gonna do!!

Yeah. that's why they are going with a 2nd single soon. I'll post the clip I have of it.

Here is what Christina Milian posted on her MySpace Blog about it:

I just found out a record I wrote no too long ago with Ne-yo and produced by Stargate will be on the artist Paua Deanda's album and will be her next single. The song is called "Walk Away". Right now she currently has a song out called "doin' too much". She has a beautiful voice so be on the lookout for that record when her album comes out.

[Spoken Word]

www.clearchannelmusic.com/cc-common/mfeatures/pauladeandaSP/

Preview the upcoming album.

[SHOOTER]

I ordered it online. Hope it's worth it.

[deodorant]

I hope she does good.

[XXIX]

The album leaked I just downloaded it...

[SHOOTER]

I'm gonna wait for my copy in the mail. But I listened to a few clips and I'm loving it. Not some watered-down pop like Natalie's album. Although her cover of "Overloved" is a bit sterile compared to Raven's version.

And if things stay on track, the video for "Walk Away" should be out by the time the album's released.

[XXIX]

Still haven'tlistened to it, but people are telling me they are enjoying it.

[SHOOTER]

Official Track List:

1. Doing Too Much feat. Baby Bash (Produced by Happy Perez)
2. Walk Away (Remember Me) feat. The Dey (Produced by Stargate - Written by Ne-Yo & Christina Milian)
3. Easy feat. Lil' Wayne
4. When It Was Me (Written by Ne-Yo)
5. Overloved (Written by Diane Warren - Cover of the Raven-Symone song)
6. So Cold (Produced by Stargate - Written by Makeba Riddick)
7. Good Girl
8. Wanna Be With You feat. V. Nice (Produced by Frankie J)
9. Make 'Em Clap To This (Written by Ne-Yo)
10. Breathe
11. Let's Go Out Tonight
12. I'll Be Down For You
13. Footprints On My Heart (Produced by Happy Perez)

[Live Your Life]

I like a few songs on the album. I can't find it anywhere though, and I want it without that stupid take that Clear Channel has.

[strong4PMB!]

"When It Was Me" = barrio JAM!  That's all that's really impressed me so far, other than "Doing Too Much."  "Walk Away" is somewhat barrio but I don't like it that much. :/

Waait, why isn't "What Would It Take" on the album? That's my fave song! :o

[EvanJ]

You can listen to the whole album at music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds?defaultTab=6

[JORDAN]

I hope this does well, but i doubt it will.
It'll probably have Jeannie Ortega sized success,, hopefully better though because i like Paula better.
She has a really nice voice and the album is nice.

[SHOOTER]

LOL!! Paula has Clive Davis backing her and I think she has more than a couple potential hits on her album!! She's gonna do alright.

[cbmc99]

Does anyone have a link to this album to download?

[reception]

Reviewed by Elysa Gardner
USA Today
Paula DeAnda (* * out of four)

The latest discovery trumpeted by music mogul Clive Davis is a sweet-voiced 16-year-old whose self-titled debut is considerably less prodigious than, say, Whitney Houston’s was. Guest stars such as Baby Bash and Lil’ Wayne and a predictable posse of co-writers and producers pop up on a string of generically shiny, mildly spicy tunes, but it’s on simple, straightforward songs such as the wistful When It Was Me and Good Girl that DeAnda’s modest, youthful charms shine through most winningly.

[benmcd2000]

I wish someone could convince Clive and Stephen Ferrera to release “When It Was Me” as the 2nd single from this CD. I have a bad feeling “Walk Away” is going to flop. “When It Was Me” is absolutely breathtaking. I haven’t been able to turn it off…it really shows off the best qualities of Paula’s voice.

[reception]

Paula DeAnda is scheduled to perform at "Bomb Birthday 6" 102.7 Da Bomb KDDB Honolulu. Saturday October 28th at Pipeline Cafe.

[vinyl]

I was wondering if it was a cover of the Raven song.. I liked Raven's version.

[britneyrules]

"Easy" is my jam

[reception]

reception said:

Paula DeAnda is scheduled to perform at "Bomb Birthday 6" 102.7 Da Bomb KDDB Honolulu. Saturday October 28th at Pipeline Cafe.

In addition to Paula DeAnda, Bomb Birthday 6 also featured Baby Bash, Frankie J, Mya and Brooke Hogan. Here are the pictures from 102.7 Da Bomb.

[XXIX]

I'm really loving "Easy" right about now.