REVIEW and INTERVIEW: Miranda Lambert Cause for Paws

Miranda Lambert's 3rd Annual Cause for the Paws Benefit Concert
Tyler, Texas - May 15, 2010

Traveling Highway 110 in Tyler, Texas to Villa de Felicita, the site for Miranda Lamberts' 3rd Annual Cause For Paws, you truly get a sense of "The House That Built Me", or in this case the hometown that built Miranda.

Highway 110 is a winding, two lane highway lined with farms and quaint homes. Villa de Felicita is a beautiful special event venue surrounded with well kept gardens that on May 15, 2010 acted as the background to the stage that would host GAC's Nan Kelly, Kacey Musgraves, The Whiskey Myers Band and finally the headline performance of Miranda Lambert.

Roughly 1,000 RAN fans emerged on the grounds of Villa de Felicita to experience the energy and excitement that surrounded Miranda's 3rd annual benefit concert benefiting The Humane Society of East Texas.

Beverly and Rick Lambert, Miranda's parents, served as Chairs for the event which included the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers from The Humane Society of East Texas.

Villa de Felicita is an elegant venue surrounded by serene gardens. We wondered if the storms in the forecast will open up and result in raining cats and dogs for this charity event that has raised $233,000 in the two previous years, helping The Humane Society of East Texas become a "no-kill animal sanctuary".

Doors opened at 6 p.m. where benefit participants were welcomed with a gift bag containing a commemorative wine glass and opportunity to bid on a silent auction. Items for bid in the silent auction included pet sitting packages, custom artwork, an exquisite dining experiences as well as Miranda private label wine bottles recycled into cheese boards and accompanied by a bottle of Red 55 wine.

Nightwork Jazz took the stage during the VIP Cocktail Party mix and mingle. VIP tables were sold for $2,500 for the event and afforded these special guests a private reception attended by Miranda. During the reception Miranda mingled with VIP guests and posed for pictures. Guests also enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.

Kacey Musgraves, a benefit veteran participant, took the stage at 7:30. Kasey is a Texas born singer song-writer who has written with Miranda in the past; her traditional country sound made her a perfect addition to this very special charity event.

At 8 p.m. the live auction began with auctioneer Mark Scirto. Items for bid in the live auction included a Brooks & Dunn Autographed guitar, an Archery Home Package, a personalized acoustic guitar signed by Miranda and ZZ Top as well as a Roadside Bar & Pink Guitars Concert Package.

At 8:30 GAC's Nan Kelly emceed the general announcements, prize drawings and a special donation by Lindale ISD that represented over $3,000 in coins collected by students.

An East Texas born "blues, rock band" known as the Whiskey Myers band followed Nan's announcement drawing the crowd toward the stage in preparation for Miranda's performance.

As the song "Let the Revolution Begin" made its way to the speakers, the excitement mounted and Miranda exploded on stage with her band opening with her hit "Kerosene". Next, off of her Revolution album she performed "Only Prettier" followed by the well received "Famous In A Small Town".

A touching and unplanned collaboration with her father, Rick, included a cover of "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" followed Miranda sharing her recent engagement to Blake Shelton. Miranda said the song has a new meaning to her now.

Miranda and her band circled together center stage to perform another tune from her current release, "Airstream Song". Miranda's Airstream has become the Roadside Bar and Pink Guitar tour mascot serving as the crews rolling bar.

Miranda addressed the potential for any of her ex-boyfriends who might be in the audience by performing a hit from her Kerosene project "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend".

As a tribute to the RAN Fans in the audience who promised to donate to the cause should Miranda grant their song request Miranda performed "Love Letters".

All-in-all it is abundantly clear that Miranda's real gift for song writing has blossomed into the ability to successfully package her growing list of hits into an an energy filled, entertaining show. Her true passion for country music coupled with her infectious, dimple clad smile makes Miranda must see act. Miranda's dedication to this charity event is a representation of what she stands for and her deep ties to the community that was once her home.

During the pre-show press conference Miranda answered questions from media representatives on her participation of this cause, as well as her recent album and much publicized engagement to Blake Shelton. During the press conference she held Delilah, the first dog she rescued in 2007. Nan Kelly held Delta Dawn, a dog Miranda rescued from a Sonic parking lot and Bev Lambert is holding Cher, Miranda's most recent rescue found in a dumpster in Oklahoma and was rescued when Miranda took her friend to the shelter to get a pet.

Question: How many animals do you have?

Miranda: I have two horses, and too many horses, 6 dogs, 3 cats, chickens and several cows.

Question: Why is this cause important to you?

Miranda: This represents everything I stand for. The money we have raised in the past has helped the Humane Society of East Texas become a no-kill shelter. But there is still more to do and more abandoned animals to help.

Question: How did your affiliation with the humane society begin?

Miranda: When I rescued Delilah from the shelter, I saw how over crowded it was and decided to do something to help. The Humane Society of East Texas and Mutt Nation represent everything I stand for.

Question: We know that Delilah is the first animal you rescued, do you have another story or special memory about another pet you've rescued?

Miranda: Cher is the tea cup Chihuahua I just rescued, I took a friend to the shelter to rescue an animal and they brought out Cher, who was found in a dumpster.


Miranda introduced GAC’s Nan Kelly and explained that Nan is a cancer survivor and also an animal lover. Miranda further explained that Nan's home had been affected by the recent flooding in Nashville. Nan described the Grand Ole Opry being under water and how amazing it was that the Opry didn't miss a beat proving that the Grand Ole Opry isn't a building, it's the people that make the show.

Question: Talking about the flooding in Nashville, do you know how animals may have been affected in the Nashville area.

Miranda: I personally contacted two shelters that were affected to see how I could help and I know that they were able to get all the animals to safety. What they needed most was money. Maybe Nan can comment further since it is her home town. Nan Kelly: The Nashville Humane Society is actively working with animals abandoned during the floods as well as pet owners who have lost their pets.

Question: Tell us about "The House That Built Me"?

Miranda: I first heard the song on a CD that was given to Blake of possible songs to put on an album. I immediately connected with the song and so Blake asked me if I wanted it. So it went from on hold for Blake Shelton to on hold for Miranda. Now Blake wants it back so I think that means the song is doing well.

Question: When should we expect a new album?

Miranda: For the immediate future I will be focusing on my Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour and planning a wedding. I would say late 2011.

Question: When is the wedding?

Miranda: That is the first thing everyone asks after you get engaged, people were asking me that when we had only been engaged for six hours. We haven't decided on a date.

Question: Can you give us the details about your ring, size, cut etc?

Miranda: To be honest I don't know the answer to any of those questions. All I can say is that I am so proud of Blake for knowing me well enough to get me the perfect ring. All I really know is that is it beautiful and shiny.

Question: 2010 and has been a phenomenal year for you both personally and professionally, what will your next big thing be?

Miranda: I have had a really amazing year. I am going to keep doing what I am doing, touring and planning a wedding.

Question: Is Blake going to have a bachelor party?

Miranda: I think we will have a joint party, you know how Blake is. That way I can keep an eye on him.

Question: Can you give us the details of how Blake proposed?

Miranda: The engagement was very us, but we want to keep the details private. Since most of our lives are very public, this is one thing that we can keep private, but I will say I was wearing a sweaty camo jacket.

Question: Where will the honeymoon be?

Miranda: We really haven't gotten that far yet.

Bev Lambert: Home.

Miranda: Yes, home, that would be nice.

Question: Will either you or Blake be selling your farms?

Miranda: I don't think either one of us will sell our farms, so I guess we'll just visit each other.

Question: Is there a dream or goal that you have for yourself that you have yet to accomplish.

Miranda: I have been so blessed and realized dreams I couldn't have imagined. My goal right now is to raise $500K for the Mutt Nation Foundation.

For more information about MuttNation Foundation Charity, or to make a donation, please visit www.muttnationfoundation.com.

For more information on the Humane Society Of East Texas visit http://hsoet.org/

For more information on Miranda Lambert visit http://www.mirandalambert.com/

Additional photos of this event can be seen at www.DigitalRodeo.com/DRPhotos


Submitted by Texas Correspondent’s Kathy and Darren Wheeler