2006年VOA标准英语-Country Singer Julie Roberts Finds Sucess With

By Mary Morningstar
Washington
07 August 2006

Just a few years ago, Country singer Julie Roberts was answering telephones for the chairman of Universal Music Group in Nashville. Through much persistence¹ and a little luck, she achieved her dream of a recording² career, and has just released her second album. VOA's Mary Morningstar has more on Julie Robert's new CD, "Men and Mascara."

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Julie Roberts says she wanted the release of her second album, "Men and Mascara," to bring her new experiences and it has. The 27-year-old singer was invited to perform at a recent dinner hosted by U.S. Vice³ President Cheney. She also met with members of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill during her visit to Washington, D.C.

Five years ago, Roberts had no idea that she'd soon be making dramatic changes in her life. At that time, she was working as a receptionist for Mercury Records chairman Luke Lewis. But, Julie kept her dream of a career in Country music a secret from Luke because she felt it would conflict with her position at the company. But their mutual⁴ friend, producer Brent Rowan, had a plan. He went into the studio with Julie to make a demo tape, and later gave it to Luke without telling him who was singing. Lewis was shocked to learn that the voice on the tape was Julie's and immediately signed her to his label.

Entertainment Weekly called Julie's 2004 self-titled album "one of the most auspicious⁵ debuts⁶ in years." It went on to sell more than 500-thousand copies, and brought her two Country Music Association Horizon Award nominations⁷.

Julie says the songs on "Men and Mascara" reflect her personal and artistic⁸ growth during the past two years. For the first time, she co-wrote several songs, including this track, "First To Never Know."

Julie's vocal⁹ style blends Country and blues¹⁰, and has been called mainstream¹¹ Country's answer to Norah Jones and Bonnie Raitt. Julie says the songs she records must have honest lyrics¹² that she can relate to on a personal level. In the liner notes for "Men and Mascara," Julie wrote, "I hope this album touches the lives of many people and is an instrument to help people tackle hardships that life might bring your way. That's what music is and will always be to me."

Julie claims she's happiest on the road performing for her fans, and that's where she'll be for most of 2006 promoting "Men and "Mascara."

1 persistence   

n.坚持，持续，存留

参考例句：

• The persistence of a cough in his daughter puzzled him.他女儿持续的咳嗽把他难住了。
• He achieved success through dogged persistence.他靠着坚持不懈取得了成功。

2 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

3 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

4 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

5 auspicious   

adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的

参考例句：

• The publication of my first book was an auspicious beginning of my career.我的第一本书的出版是我事业吉祥的开始。
• With favorable weather conditions it was an auspicious moment to set sail.风和日丽，正是扬帆出海的黄道吉日。

6 debuts   

演员首次演出( debut的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He never really debuts the idea of taking money from his parents any longer. 他从此就再也没有认真起过向父母要钱的念头。
• This young soprano debuts next month at the metropolitan opera. 这位年轻的女高音歌唱家下个月将在纽约大都会歌剧院举行首演。

7 nominations   

n.提名，任命( nomination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Nominations are invited for the post of party chairman. 为党主席职位征集候选人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Much coverage surrounded his abortive bids for the 1960,1964, and 1968 Republican Presidential nominations. 许多消息报道都围绕着1960年、1964年和1968年他为争取提名为共和党总统候选人所做努力的失败。 来自辞典例句

8 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

9 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

10 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

11 mainstream   

n.（思想或行为的）主流；adj.主流的

参考例句：

• Their views lie outside the mainstream of current medical opinion.他们的观点不属于当今医学界观点的主流。
• Polls are still largely reflects the mainstream sentiment.民调还在很大程度上反映了社会主流情绪。

12 lyrics   

n.歌词

参考例句：

• music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hart 由罗杰斯和哈特作词作曲
• The book contains lyrics and guitar tablatures for over 100 songs. 这本书有100多首歌的歌词和吉他奏法谱。