By Karen Wolitzer
In 1984 she hit the music scene along with her mother, Naomi, and together they became one of the most celebrated success stories in country music history.In just six short years, they had sold more than twenty million records worldwide and had won over sixty industry awards including five Grammies, nine Country Music Association Awards and eight Billboard Music Awards.Today most of her energy is spent on the album she's been working on for over two years and her children, Grace and Elijah."This record is like my child. I'm protecting it like a mama lion would take care of her cubs. I'm very emotional right now...it's like walking around so pregnant and so tired and so in love with this creation. Sometimes I have to go, 'Okay, Wynonna it's time to switch over and be mom and be light and have fun with my kids and be present and in the moment. So, I'm going back and forth between a lot of things right now-I guess you could say I have the multi-tasking mama blues." (If that doesn't sound like a good name for a song, what does?)"I'm so protective of this project that I've probably become a little too obsessed about it. It's exhausting, but I love what I do so much that I want it to be right. So, I'm going to do it the way I want to do it. "There have been lots of starts and stops. It's not that easy when you have a label to deal with and ten men in a room that don't see your vision. You wouldn't just hand your kid off to a couple of guys in suits and say 'hey take care of her I'll be back in a week.' And Wynonna won't do that with her baby."Fighting for your rights as an artist is so difficult because so many people have an opinion. It's harder than ever now. You can't just sit back in your easychair-you have to march, sweat and be willing to work your butt off. You gotta take a snack because it's going to be a long day. "Once I step outside that door I'm bulletproof. I'm the person sent to entertain the troops and I will not let them see a crack in my armor...although, lately, I'm much more vulnerable to people and trying not to be so bulletproof. And my mom said the other day, she's so cute, 'honey let them see that you have cracks in your armor, that's how the light gets out.' She's very sweet. She teaches me everyday just to be sweet and keep on keeping on."I miss working with her. I sang with her the other night at a benefit and I looked at her and started to cry. Sometimes I miss her so much that I ache from my bones, yet other times I just accept it, because that's how life is. There's really nothing I can do about it. But the fact that she's with me is just such a blessing. I count every day as a gift. I take her any way I can get her, whether it's going to the movies or singing with her Saturday night. We sang "Love Can Build a Bridge." That was pretty cool."I am my mother's daughter and I try to instill her values in my kids. They're always with me. They think what I do is normal. When I'm on stage, mom's just working. But when we're in a limo, I tell them that it's a privilege, because they don't see it that way. I spend so much of my energy trying to explain it. You hope and pray for the best. "What they did think was cool was when we got four free days at Disneyworld because I did the "Lilo and Stitch"song, "Burning Love." That's when they were like 'Mom, you rock,'" she laughs.Not only is Wy (how she refers to herself) a mom, but lots of the girls who joined her fan club eighteen years ago are mothers too and now bring their kids to her shows. "I'm almost at a point where I'm obsessive compulsive about meeting my fans. When you're in your twenties you think everything is about you. But then when you're in your thirties you realize what really matters is the relationship between the listener and the singer...people care, man. They need to hear something hopeful. I think of myself, as corny as it sounds, as a hope seller. I feel like everything I do and say gives light and hope to people. "So, it aint just a gig. I'm not just a chick singer on a bus. It's about connecting and giving someone a spiritual lift or an attitude adjustment. I love playing at Westbury Music Fair. I have a great love affair with my fans there. I feel like a record (the stage revolves in a circle). I always have to do the back of my hair extra good," she laughs. "When I step out on that stage I feel absolutely loved. The fans are like guardian angels. It's like a support group for me, like AA...I'm like 'Hi, my name's Wynonna and I'm a recovering entertainer.'" (She's funny!)"When I step out there I am absolutely free. I live for that applause. We get out there and we stomp. I'm very aware of the crowd. The last time I was there I had a girl get up and sang with me. It was her dream. At one of my shows coming up a guy's going to propose. I'm open to requests. I sang at a guy's birthday party, recently. I'll do anything...within reason," she laughs. (Is she incredible or what?)"I hope people leave my show feeling uplifted. When I leave-I get off the stage, get on the bus and wash some butts! It's reality!"
