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Like mistletoe, the state flower of her native Oklahoma, Natalie Tidwell has patiently grown, waiting for the perfect time to reveal her brilliance. Now, just as we’re instinctively drawn toward the ones we love when we pass beneath the mistletoe, so too are we drawn toward Natalie’s sweet-sultry voice.
Like many entertainers, creativity runs in Natalie’s family. The daughter of a TV meteorologist at Oklahoma City’s KEBC (Keepin’ EveryBody Country) and a mother who is an accomplished piano player, Natalie and her siblings couldn’t help but inherit the desire to entertain. Her grandmother is an inventor who developed the carbon press machine out of her disgust for the omnipresent black stains on her hands she acquired at her job working for the government. The Tidwell family gets things done, and Natalie is no exception.
An accomplished student, Natalie graduated Valedictorian from high school and in the Top 10% from the University of Tulsa, majoring in Marketing. She always knew that her passion was entertaining, and that her chosen major would help her further her music as the “product” she is most passionate about marketing. When she’s not writing songs, singing demos, or performing live, you’ll often find Natalie listening to talk radio or engaging in political conversation with her husband Tim, a now-retired professional football player who has played for the New England Patriots, the Miami Dolphins, and most recently the 2007 Arena Bowl Champions the San Jose Sabrecats.
Natalie’s musical journey began when, at the tender age of 6, her father was able to score front-row tickets to a Barbara Mandrell concert through his TV station connections. During the show, Barbara invited little Natalie to the stage, where she belted out “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed.” Ms. Mandrell was so impressed that she gave Natalie an autographed tambourine and a tour of her bus. Natalie was bitten by the music bug.
She continued to sing and take dance lessons and the accomplishments began to stack up. At age 13 she was a finalist on Ed McMahon’s Star Search, she won the Oklahoma Kids state competition and the American Kids national competition, the Entertainment Connection national competition, and the Next American Superstar competition. She was a featured cast member in the Country Tonite productions in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and she has opened for country stars including Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, and Blake Shelton.
When asked why anyone in their right mind would want to chase the dream of becoming a recording artist and performer, Natalie sums it up this way.
“Success in this business is so screwed up. What is success? I define it as a ‘completion of something intended.’ By that definition I have success everyday.”
Natalie’s journey has already had its share of ups and downs. For example, a recent high point in her career was when she was invited to host the Oklahoma Opry. As she stepped out onto the stage she fell. Not just any fall – she completely wiped out. Face planted. Once she got up, her heels were dangling from the straps and she couldn’t get them back on. She pulled herself together, laughed it off, and started singing. She could feel blood dripping down her legs from her wounded knees and the audience could see it, too. She finished out the night with band-aids and still has the battle scars from that one.
In contrast, Natalie is constantly reminded of the good that her music does for others. Her biggest fan is a 70-year-old woman named Norma. Norma doesn’t have a computer, but she walks to the library every day to spend her time managing Natalie’s Myspace page. Fans like Norma with that kind of faith that serve as constant reminders that Natalie is traveling the right path.
After listening to Natalie’s most recent round of recordings, a Music Row songwriter asked Natalie “So why are you not a big star yet?” Great question - Stay tuned.
