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Amanda Overmyer: Mulberry Indiana to American Idol

Jessica Nunemaker — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:30:19 +0000

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.

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Butler U Made Everyone a Hoosier

Jessica Nunemaker — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:30:42 +0000

Hoosiers rocking a win? Oh, yeah! Basketball fan or not, Butler University fan or not – you’ve gotta admit that for a small Hoosier college to advance in the NCAA is exciting stuff! Congrats Butler University! Last Thursday? Everyone was a Hoosier.

Book Review: Favorites by Garet Mathews

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:30:45 +0000

It’s no secret that many newspapers and magazines have been folding up across the country (so long, Domino! *sob*). Garet Mathews of Evansville, Indiana is one such newspaper columnist who lost his column.

His focus? Interesting characters around the Midwest (think Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois). But, he made the best of the worst, compiling his favorites together in the aptly named book: Favorites. To make a long story short, he kindly sent me an extra copy for review.

It isn’t very often that I have the opportunity to read something that really stays with me. My life is on information overload, but these days, really, who’s isn’t? I read a lot: blogs, news sites, social networking websites, you name it, I’m on it, but most of the time, it just doesn’t stick. Favorites, however, stuck.

Mr. Mathews possesses a particularly thoughtful turn of phrase. At times I would thrust the book into hub’s hand and demand, “Read this! Read this one!” just because I wanted, no needed, to discuss it with someone. Days later I still think about some of these people and wonder what became of them.

Many of these are tear jerker stories about people that society has almost forgotten. Thanks to newspaper columnist and book author Garet Mathews, though, society never will.

My favorites of Favorites: (in case you were wondering)

*She’s Too Old To Be A Caregiver But She Doesn’t Care

* For This Old Soldier, The War Isn’t Over

* Mortality Tables Creep Up On You

* Thoughts of Baby Girl Don’t Go Away

* Suitor, 91, Has Tough Standards

Want a copy of your own? Yes, of course you do! Go to Newspaper Writer and pick one up right now! You can chose to read it in full online (but, seriously, nothing beats the feel of a book). Shoot me an email when you are finished – or leave a comment below — and we’ll discuss.

The Christmas Story: A Christmas Classic

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:30:32 +0000

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without watching The Christmas Story, set right here in good, old Indiana. From the “I double dog dare you” scene to the “Major Prize,” and the “you’ll shoot your eye out” misery, we’ve all got our favorite parts. Here’s mine: the Pink Bunny costume in all it’s fuzzy glory.

The Pink Bunny Outfit

Straight No Chaser: 12 Days of Christmas

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:30:58 +0000

Maybe you remember when Straight No Chaser was a YouTube phenom? When their 12 Days of Christmas rendition was posted by a member of the group in anticipation of their ten year reunion, receiving millions of hits and leading them right into a record deal? Talk about dreams coming true, right?

Here is 12 Days of Christmas sung by the ten member Indiana University group Straight No Chaser, from their CD, Christmas Cheers. I’ve had this in my head non-stop for hours! Truly amazing. Your turn.

Straight No Chaser: 12 Days of Christmas

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The Jacksons (formerly known as The Jackson 5): Going Back to Indiana

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:30:04 +0000

Did you know the Jackson’s had a variety show? Me neither. Apparently all the siblings (except for Jermaine) were involved. It didn’t last very long but it did attract guests like Sonny Bono and Tina Turner.

Even then you can see that Michael Jackson could really move! Interestingly enough, thanks to Michael Jackson’s recent death, there is even a movement to get it put back on the air!

Here’s a clip from the show featuring: Going Back to Indiana. Gotta love that 70’s orangey-goodness!

Going Back to Indiana