Interview by Jenna von Oy

 Remember that hot girl in high school who made being popular so effortless? She’s the one who wasn’t afraid to dance by herself at the prom, though she probably never had to, and who made you realize there are actually people out there who can get away with wearing skinny jeans. You know who I’m talking about; she made the boys drool all over themselves. Okay, let’s be honest, she made most of the girls drool too... She turned into Kate Hudson without the famous parents, or Gwyneth Paltrow minus the meat complex. Moreover, she had no concept of how gorgeous she was, so it was damn near impossible to loathe her. Why am I giving you a giant push down memory lane, you ask? Enter country music artist, Whitney Duncan, who is a current fixture on CMT and country music radio. She is also smoking hot... Now, I may be straight, but I’m not brainless. I’m no slouch myself, but when Whitney walked into our interview, it prompted a twinge of nostalgia for that girl I loved to hate, way back when...
          
            We start with a conversation a bit outside of the “music box”, and discuss ink. Not the writing kind; the permanent, body ornament kind. This is evidently a source of unadulterated excitement. Next thing you know, she’s asking to see the tattoo on my back, and apologizing for making me unbutton my shirt. Now, let’s be honest... If I were a guy with half a pulse, it would be akin to winning the lottery. But, alas, I have no testosterone (or tendencies toward that sort of thing, for that matter), so I simply respond  “Sure. That ought to break the ice”. Our interview has officially hit the ground running...
 
 Talk to me about your tattoo addiction.
 
Whitney:  I’ve always loved tattoos, ever since I was a little girl... piercings, tattoos, the whole deal. Which is crazy, because I guess I don’t look like I would have them! At least, that’s what people tell me. I got my first tattoo when I was 19. It’s a cross on my ankle. And of course, as they say, once you get one, you gotta have more. For the last few years, I’ve been planning what to get next. I have this saying: “If it’ll still pertain to my life at 80 years old, then I’ll get it.” My cousin has tons of tattoos, and he was telling me he was going to get one of his family crest. I thought, “Do I have a family crest?” I went online and did a bunch of research, and found my family crest. It was really ugly! The Duncan family is VERY Scottish... But I really liked our family motto, which is Disce Pati. It’s Latin for “ Learn To suffer, learn to endure”, which also pertains to the music business! I got that on my side. As a joke, my friends call me “Disco Patty” now, because of the spelling.  Then I went to Iraq a few months ago, and did a two-week USO tour there. I got inspired. When I got back, I got an American flag on my upper back. Those are my three right now. I figure I’m still going to be an American when I’m 80, no doubt about that, and I will still be a Duncan... though by the time I’m 80 I’ll probably be married! I’m actually getting another one tomorrow... I keep saying I’ll get two more after that, and that’ll be it.  If I ever have children, I want to get their names on my hipbones. One on each hip, like they’re sitting on them.
 
You don’t have three hip-bones. What happens if you have more than two kids? Does the third one get stuck being tattooed on your butt?
 
Whitney: Well, if I have three kids, the third one’s just screwed... No, I’m joking! I’ll definitely have to figure that one out. Let’s not hope for three kids though. Let’s just keep it at two.
 
Note to future husband... Don’t expect Ms. Duncan to be the next “Octomom”. Let’s change gears and talk about your career. How did you get to where you are?
 
Whitney: I’m a “new” artist who has been in Nashville for ten years! When I was 13, my parents would take me everywhere to perform, and Nashville was one of those places. I came to town not knowing anybody, so it was kind of a shot in the dark. I met an entertainment attorney that became my mentor, and he led the way. I think relationships mean everything. It’s about knowing the right people. I had no idea what to do to get started! You have to hope someone sees you play out live somewhere, and has some belief in you.
 
Did Nashville Star (in 2007) help your career?
 
Whitney: Nashville Star didn’t happen until after I’d already had a major record deal. I’d signed with Capitol Records when I was 17, and gotten my first publishing deal. I was there for three years. Then I took a couple years off, and just focused on songwriting. When the Nashville Star opportunity came up, I thought “I have nothing to lose. I’ll try it.” I actually made it on the show, which was crazy! Then after that, I got my deal with Warner Brothers, which is where I am now.
 
So Nashville Star proved to be a good platform for you?
 
Whitney: When I went on the show I thought, “If I can make fans off of this, then I’ve done what I need to do. If I can build a fan base, that’s all I can ask for.” I didn’t win, but I ended up signing with Warner Brothers about six months after it was over. Nashville Star may not have helped me in the music industry, but I still have fans that come up to me and say “ We watched you on Nashville Star. We really love that show”.
 
How do you think your life has changed now that you’ve broken onto the scene?
 
Whitney: It isn’t anything crazy right now, though I have noticed, in the last few months, that people know my music more. I play shows, and I see them singing my songs. It’s pretty awesome! It’s weird, but good at the same time, because it means I’m doing something right! I take it as a compliment, and hope it’ll happen even more.
 
Have you ever been asked to autograph something strange by a fan?
 
Whitney: Body parts are always somewhat weird. Someone asked me to sign his forehead; I do not know what possessed him to get his forehead signed!
 
Do you think maybe he’ll be getting it tattooed on there?
 
Whitney: Doubtful. And it was a really sweaty forehead!
 
Can I guess there was some alcohol involved?
 
Whitney: Yes! I think so. I did it, but it totally ruined my marker. My poor Sharpie!*
 
(*The editor notes the sarcasm with which Ms. Duncan has answered this question, and respectfully asks fans not to demand stupid requests such as an autographed forehead, unless they care to risk being made fun of in an online magazine...)
 
Anything else?
 
Whitney: There are always fans who walk around with their shirts off, and I end up having to sign their chest.*  (*I assume she is referring to men only, and I take full responsibility for a misprint, if this is untrue...) I haven’t made a rule of “no body parts” yet, but it might be getting to that point.
 
You must admit, when you are a pretty girl who has released a song called “Skinny Dippin”, you might be promoting the viewing of a little flesh. A guy coming up to you without a shirt may not be completely out of the question.
 
Whitney: No, it’s really not. I asked for that one.
 
Has “Skinny Dippin’” prompted strange fan reactions? Do you have to explain it to parents?
 
Whitney: It’s a fun song that I hope people don’t take literally or seriously. My parents hear everything I write, and they are SO conservative. It has always been one of my Mom’s favorites! I know if it’s one of her favorites, I’m probably okay. She said “If skinny dipping is the worst thing you do in your life, then praise God, Hallelujah. I’ve done something right!”
 
That’s a great Mom quote!
 
Whitney: It’s a good way to look at it. It’s not like I’m talking about doing drugs. It’s about this girl and guy who are totally in love. They’re young and wild, and the guy throws the girl in the water. It’s a little bit of summer fun!
 
What has the reaction been from the fans?
 
Whitney: There was one time in Kentucky... We played a vineyard. When you think of Kentucky, you don’t really think of vineyards! But it was beautiful, the wine was great, and it was when “Skinny Dippin’” first came out. There were lakes around the vineyard. So of course, it was bound to happen! This couple stripped off their clothes and jumped in the lake. They also got escorted out by security... I had them escorted back in.
 
Good for you!
 
Whitney: They didn’t get naked, they just got a little crazy. It was pretty funny! We actually have pictures from that show, of people jumping in. That’s the most drastic thing anyone’s ever done. Mostly, people just like to sing along. I went home several months ago, and we went to eat at a place on the Tennessee River.  I actually heard my song playing from a boat out on the river! No telling what they were doing out there, but at least they had my song playing!
 
 Are you on the road a lot now?
 
Whitney:  Not a ton. I’m out about every other weekend right now. It’s a great balance of being out on the road and being here in town to work in the studio & write. If I were gone constantly, it would be hard to keep up the creative end as well. I tend to lose focus if I’m out playing a lot. I get back home and I’m super tired. But I really love playing out live! That’s my favorite thing to do.
 
What’s your show preparation? Any idiosyncrasies?
 
Whitney: Definitely vocal warm-ups, of course. Everybody has to do warm-ups. Mine sound really stupid and ridiculous, but the band is used to hearing it, and they’ll do them along with me. I make buzzing noises and all that crazy stuff.  My rules are no dairy the day of the show. It’s just horrible for me. Plus, I’m lactose intolerant, so that never goes well!  Other days, I’ll suffer the consequences, but not on show days! I drink a ton of water, and I try to make a rule of no drinking before or during the show.  I don’t’ know what’s wrong with my brain here in the last year, but lyrics have kind of left me at times.  I’ve literally had to start making sounds instead of forming words on stage. It kind of sounds like I’m scatting... Thankfully, they’re all my own songs, so I can sing them however I want! If I choose to leave out a verse and scat instead, then there you go!
 
So no argyle socks? No giant purple scrunchie in the hair for luck?
 
Whitney: No, nothing like that. Nothing too crazy that I would feel weird without!
 
You mentioned you recently went to Iraq and performed for the troops. Tell me about that...
 
Whitney: It was great. The opportunity had never come up before, and I’d never really thought about it. I don’t have any close family who are in the military. My agent called and said “Hey, would you like to go to Iraq?” I asked my band how they felt about it, and the more I thought about it, the more I looked forward to it. I was so excited to go over there! I had no idea what to expect. We had a blast... They were just so amazing. We were so inspired. I think if we weren’t all in the music business, we probably would’ve joined up right then and there! It was such a cool thing. They were really a close-knit team and family. The spirit is amazing, and unless you’ve been over there, I don’t think you get it. They don’t get a lot of entertainment over there, and they were so welcoming and friendly. I called my agent and said “Please. If anybody asks if I can come back, let’s do it.” So I think I’m going to get to go back by early next year. Fingers crossed!
 
What would you be doing if you weren’t on stage? Where do you think you would be, if you hadn’t chosen music?
 
Whitney:  (She gives a sly grin)  Oh Lord. I would probably be pregnant & married in Mississippi.
 
With more or less tattoos than you currently have?
 
Whitney: Definitely less.
 
You write a lot of your own music. Do you also write for other artists?
 
Whitney: I just write. If it doesn’t fit what I do at the end of the day, we find another artist for it. I have gotten a few cuts, which is awesome.
 
Will you indulge us and brag about that?
 
Whitney: I have had cuts by Lee Ann Womack, LeAnn Rimes, & Katie Armiger. Crystal Shawanda cut one that was actually a single, called “My Roots Are Showing”.
 
What inspires you? What drives your writing?

Whitney:  It is creative, so you obviously have to have a good imagination. But it’s funny... I’ve had several bad relationships, and I pull off of that emotion. I joke that it’s always better to be in a bad relationship than a good one. It does a lot more for your writing!  I write a lot of songs about love.  I write about being from a small town, growing up, and being country. Real life inspires me. When I start writing too much, and get into a habit where I’m writing a couple times a day with different people, I have to cut back. What is there to write about if you don’t live life, or if you’re working too much, or if you don’t do fun things and travel? I always make it a point to have a good balance.
 
 
What’s something that not too many people know about you? Something that maybe your friends know, that fans wouldn’t?
 
Whitney: To be quite honest, I’m pretty open. I think my fans know a lot more than they probably should! Plus, I Tweet like there’s no tomorrow. I like to give fans details about my life, not just music stuff. (She scrunches up her nose and ponders for a moment...) Okay. My best friend since fourth grade, brought this up the other day. She knows me like the back of her hand. When I laugh hysterically, I almost pee.
 
You pee a little?
 
Whitney: Just a little. You know how High School girls are... We used to laugh so hard, that I would almost end up peeing myself. That still pertains to my life these days.
 
Thanks for the heads up.  So I shouldn’t make you laugh too hard, unless I want a surprise. Any celebrity crushes? Or, crush aside, anyone you’d sell your kidney to record a duet with?
 
Whitney:  Bruce Springsteen, in the music department. If I could do a duet with him, it would make my life.
 
So let me make sure I understand this. You only want to do a duet with him? No making out?
 
Whitney: I might make out with him….in the middle of the duet.
 
You really ought to get started on writing that.
 
Whitney: On second thought, he may be a little old for my taste. But he’s such an amazing songwriter and performer, that I definitely have a little crush! If he were younger, I’d be all about it. Acting-wise, I’m a big fan of the show “The Tudors”.  I think Henry Cavill is ridiculously good-looking. He’s my actor crush. If Marlon Brando were still alive, that’s who I would choose. Back in his younger days- not during “The Godfather”. Great, now everybody’s going to think I’ve got a thing for old men! Not true!

And that Whitney Duncan, she’s got some serious Daddy issues...  You mentioned Bruce Springsteen. Who are some other artists who have influenced you musically?

Whitney: My number one is Elvis. I’ve been obsessed with him since age three! That’s who I wanted to be; his performing is what made me want to sing. My Dad was a big rock-n-roll fan, and didn’t really love Country music at all.  When I was with him, I would listen to Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, John Cougar Mellencamp... So a lot of those guys really influenced me. My Mom was a big Tammy Wynette & Don Williams fan. When Garth Brooks came out, I loved him. Hearing Shania Twain’s voice in country music influenced me too. Even Alanis Morisette! That was one of the first CDs I ever owned. I love all kinds of music; as a little girl, I would walk around singing Roxette as much as I would Trisha Yearwood or Tanya Tucker.
 
Your album is called “Right Road Now”. Is the full album out now?
 
Whitney: Yes, it’s out. It’s basically just a digital release right now, on iTunes  and Amazon. You can also go to my website, www.whitneyduncan.com.  If you sign up for my site, you can buy a hard, physical copy of the CD. That’s the only place you can get a hard copy right now. It will go to the stores eventually, but at the moment, we’re keeping it strictly digital.
 
You’ve been such a good sport. Here goes my final question... Today started out as a very rainy day in Nashville. If I hadn’t dragged you out, what would you be doing instead of being stuck here with me?
 
Whitney: On a rainy day? Laying on my couch watching TV.
 
What would you be watching?
 
Whitney: What time is it right now? Family Feud... And I would be pigging out. On days off, if I’m not reading a book or working out, then I like a little TV time.  At ten, Price Is Right is on, twelve o’clock is Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, one o’clock is Family Feud, two O’clock is the Steve Wilco Show, and I think three o’clock hits Dr. Phil time...
 
And so ends my interview with Whitney Duncan. It crosses my mind that I might be looking at the prettiest darn couch potato I’ve ever seen. Her disarming dimples and Tennessee twang could probably charm the pants off of Mickey Mouse. Truthfully? The schoolgirl in me wanted to find her insufferable. But Whitney Duncan revealed a sharp brand of wit, and a little bit of bad girl... and damned if I wasn’t charmed by her too. Maybe we get past some of those childhood insecurities, after all...
 
**As a side note: Mr. Henry Cavill- If you are single, and interested in beautiful blonds with enough Southern charm to fill a swimming pool, it would behoove you to get in touch with me. I may have a date for you to go “skinny dippin”...