Imagine my surprise when I received an email from Amanda Overmyer of Season 7 American Idol fame and Mulberry, Indiana native!

Yes, she saw my little plea for an interview while surfing around trying to find small towns in Indiana, and kindly took the time to send me an email–is that cool or what?

Amanda Overmyer: From Mulberry, Indiana to American Idol Season 7 to little Indiana!

Amanda Overmyer Interview

You lived in little Mulberry, Indiana, then you became a nurse. The jump to American Idol is pretty huge — what made you go for it and audition for American Idol Season 7?
I was never a fan of the show, or a watcher, by any means. I had played in cover bands before, but had since quit playing 2 years before I went.

I am a person that takes “calculated risks”. I didn’t have it in me to take off to LA to “make it.” So, when I heard about the auditions, I figured “Why Not?” It was going to be the only shot I had.

I love that you didn’t sacrifice who you are because you didn’t fit the usual American Idol cookie cutter standard. So, what was your favorite part of American Idol experience?
The fact that I can now play music and tour the country for a living.

Is there an “Amanda Overmyer Day” in Mulberry? Your hometown must have been pretty proud! How did they celebrate your return?
No Amanda Overmyer Day. When I got back, I was able to do a homecoming show in Lafayette, and then further on in the year I gained a warm welcome of 15,000 viewers at the Dancing in the Streets Festival I headlined.  That was really cool!

Before American Idol, you were a small town girl. Where were your favorite hangouts around your Mulberry, Indiana hometown? (and what did you rock out to on the radio when you were cruisin’ around?)
There is a little pub called Southfork Pub in Mulberry that I would be at on occasion and I would listen to 93.5 or 94.7, the classic rock stations!

What do you believe is the best part of small town life?
I live out in the country, lots of privacy, quiet; living in a city would never work for me, there are too many people.

You mentioned that you found “little Indiana” when you were looking for cool places to ride — what are some of your preferred out of the way places?
Actually, this past weekend we rode down to Lake Patoka and come back up through Nashville, Indiana. The southwest region of Indiana is awesome.

So, what’s the “Rock and Roll Nurse” doing now? Did I see something about a new CD?
Yes, my CD “Solidifiy” is available on itunes, Rhapsody, Amazon and CDBaby.com. I have been touring America promoting it! Go to Overmyer Productions for all of your Amanda Overmyer needs!

Do you have any shows coming up?
This weekend I will be in Denver CO, then Blue Lake, CA then Wisconsin. I will be in Auburn, IN October 2 for the Dekalb Co. Fair, so come out and see the show, Indiana!

You Can Take The Girl Out Of The Small Town…

But fortunately? You can’t take the small town out of the girl! Amanda Overmyer is level-headed and definitely grounded. Like any small Indiana town resident, she understands the simple pleasures of a day in the country.

Related posts:

1. Mulberry, Indiana: Once the Wealthiest Town in the Country
2. MulberryFest in Mulberry, Indiana
3. Southfork Restaurant in Mulberry, Indiana Dishes out the Good
4. Little Cousin Jasper in Rensselaer, Indiana: Wish’t That They’d Move Here
5. Lionel, American Flyer Find a Home at Spike’s Railhead in Lowell, Indiana