Second Cup Cafe: Katie Armiger

(CBS)  Promising newcomer Katie Armiger is just 17, but already has two albums under her belt.

The talented singer/songwriter is a fast-rising star in the country music world.

She was "discovered" only two years ago, when she took the top prize in her division at Houston's Best Country Singer competition, sponsored by a local radio station.

Then, it was on to Nashville.

Armiger wrote ten of the 11 songs on her latest album, "Believe," from Cold River Records. She took center stage in The Early Show Saturday Edition's "Second Cup Cafe," performing two tracks from the new CD.

Critics praise Armiger's strong voice and songwriting ability. She's been compared to country stars such as Sara Evans, Martina McBride and Taylor Swift.

Armiger balances her music career with school; she's currently finishing her senior year of high school, online. She splits her time between Nashville and her hometown of Sugar Land, Texas.

All that traveling, Armiger jokes to The Tennessean.com, makes it feel like her second home is an airplane seat. But it's also, she told the Web site, "so much fun. It just means so much to me, because this whole album has been an amazing process. I started coming to Nashville about two years ago, and this just took off. And singing has always been my dream. We all have a lot to say."

According to The Tennessean.com, "While some may be quick to compare Armiger's work to that of 18-year-old country star Taylor Swift, who, like Armiger, writes much of her own material, the young artists' voices and music are dramatically different. Armiger nurtures her share of teen-appropriate pastimes (the hard-core 'Star Wars' fan loves 'Lord of The Rings', 'Batman' and a good Harry Potter book), but her limber growl and lovelorn lyrics reveal an emotional maturity that underscores those McBride comparisons."

"Still," The Tennessan.com continues, "Armiger believes Swift's success can only help other teen singers such as herself.

"'She opened a lot of doors to a lot of young artists,' she says. 'I think that is awesome. We all have a lot to say.'"

The Tennessan.com added, "Armiger's own ideas show up on 'Believe.' ... (Its songs) focus on the kind of real-life situations plenty of adults still struggle with. That mature leaning, Armiger admits, might come from the fact that the singer looked outside herself for inspiration.

"'(The songs are about) things that may not have happened to me,' she says. 'They could have happened to my friends or my parents, or I watched movies before and wrote a song from them.'"

[reddirtmusicfan]

In respons to: predsfan35

I happen to know Katie's manager and just called him about the Houston Rodeo comment. First of all, he is NOT Katie's uncle and secondly....Katie has performed at the Houston Rodeo twice and he has never paid for her to perform...in fact, the Houston Rodeo paid Katie to perform. I would stick to 1st-hand facts instead of rumors. The fact is, Katie is one of the most talented newcomers in country music and a total sweetheart. She is hard working and in the face of many obstacles as an independent...she is succeeding in a very difficult business...because she IS TALENTED.

[predsfan35]

Just checked out Katie?s video clip and read the comments below. I?m not surprised she got mostly great reviews, because she is really an excellent young singer. In response to the harsh first comment, I disagree about her flat singing- she sounded pretty on to me. Although, I highly doubt she would have been scouted by CBS. Most of the performers on these shows have PR reps (who charge a hefty sum!) to handle their appearances. In fact, I work in Nashville and heard through the grapevine that Katie?s manager (a rich relative) paid $20K to get her on the Houston Rodeo bill, in her own hometown. I wish these music biz stories weren?t often true, because it takes away from the legitimate talent which singers like Katie really do have! It would be nice to think that people with incredible talent really worked their way to the top by way of their own ability, persistent determination, and passion for music- not through payoffs from wealthy uncles. Sure it does happen, not the case here though.

[jch38]

Katie Armiger is so AWESOME! I'm so glad you had her on the second cup cafe! She truly is a beautiful young lady and I love all her songs! I can't wait to see the video posted so I can watch her performance again! Thanks CBS for having her on the show!

[bpleon67]

Awesome CBS...Katie is a Rising Country Star and a Class Act....Thanks for having such a great talent on your show...!!

[reddirtmusicfan]

OMG....Katie Armiger is truly AMAZING. I've never seen a teenager with more talent and god gifted ability. Everything she sings is gorgeous and she seems like such a sweet person. I only hope my kids turn out as sweet and well-grounded as Katie. I heard 50,000 entered a contest at GAC to write a love song with her. The winner has to be the luckiest person on the planet. I would love to write a song with Katie and hear her sing it...wow...Katie could sing the dictionary and I would love it. Keep it up Katie...you are the next superstar in music!!!

[truecountry001]

I think Katie Armiger is the best young singer in America. I've followed her career for the past year and she is the finest new talent to come out of Nashville in years. Her voice and songwriting are amazing and it was great to see her on the Cafe this morning. Please put her on there again and keep putting on artists like Katie....she is awesome!!

[138ja500]

I logged on just so I could see if you had the video of 2nd Cup up because Katie Armiger Rocks and I wanted to see it again!! Please hurry and get it up - I also just downloaded Trail of Lies from Itunes - great song Katie.

[countrygirl23]

WOW that was hateful! Sounds like you've got a chip on your shoulder. I thought Katie was a talented refreshing young lady. Way to go CBS Katie Armiger was wonderful. I could totally see the comparisons to Martina McBride.

[dokerbohm]

with the thousands of deserving young artists out there you put katie armiger on your early morning cafe show she can't sing ,sings flat ,her songs suck,bad interview attitude and if she is a day younger than 24 i will be hog tied !!!come on where were your talent scouts on this one or was this a pay off to get on the show that has been reported in the past she truley was the worst person i have ever seen on your show!!i never have written in before to any show but this girl made so ill i had to write !!!keep the talent you bring to the show high and undiscovered and i will support with buying their product and yours put crap on like this and i will not the rest of the show as always quite good so please keep the talent interesting good and current and we will support then and you.

[katieafan]

Katie Armiger is a great artist! She is one of the best that I've ever heard and have had the pleasure of meeting. How dare you say that she can't sing. Look at all of the crap that they call rap, that isn't music that's noise. Katie Armiger is a truly talented young woman with a bright career ahead of her and I wish her the best of luck on her journey!! Way to go Katie, keep up the amazing work!!