Friday, March 6, 1998

Leann Rimes hits Diner

Bowling, a movie and a bowl of macaroni and cheese at Ye Old College Diner, 126 W. College Ave., might be a typical night for any State College teen-ager. So, when 15-year-old country star LeAnn Rimes came into town Wednesday, that is exactly what she did.

LeAnn Rims belts out a tune during her concert last night at Th Bryc Jordan cnter. More than 10,000 popl attendd the show, where she performed after Bryan Whit and announced a May rlase of hr new album. (Collegian Photo/Hector I. Caro - click for full size image)

Although grilled stickies weren't on the menu for Rimes, she said the local restaurant was "the coolest place in the entire world - I loved it!"

Rimes visited the diner Wednesday night, one day before she and tour-mate Bryan White played at The Bryce Jordan Center, she said last night at a press conference.

Although White did not join her for the conference, Rimes sang his praises.

"I have a high respect for him musically and our shows really complement each other," she said.

White and Rimes met three years ago, when both were just starting to break into the country music mainstream.

"He met me when I was 12 and had just signed my record deal. I think he thought I was crazy or something," Rimes said. "We joked about going out on tour together for a while and then it just sort of happened."

Rimes just finished studio recordings for a new album release consisting of two compact discs. The first CD will be released May 5 and the second will appear three or four weeks afterward. Fans can expect Rimes to continue experimenting with different kinds of music on the new albums. Gospel, pop and traditional country will all continue to be represented in her music, she said.

"I'm trying to reach out to other audiences, but keep with some more mainstream country hits as well," she said.

-by Molly K. Fellin