Country Music is overlooked by many of us, but it is VERY popular. You might not believe me; you might think that Country Music is just a bunch of hicks singing like a cat on a hot tin roof (no pun intended)! Well, sorry to burst your bubble. Country Music sells more CDs then Rock and Rap combined. More people like Country music then not and there is enough music made in that style to fill an entire Virgin Megastore. Country music is VERY big, and for the first time I'm going to admit it; I am starting to enjoy it!

I recently had a chance to listen to a record by a new Country-Pop sensation from Arizona, Mercedez. If you haven't seen her as an extra in movies and in commercials, you may have seen her doing fabulous impersonations of Marilyn Monroe and Madonna and performing at the dance event Razzle Dazzle. Mercedez is one of those girls that you wouldn't be shocked to learn performed on Star Search, her talent is widespread and her looks and personality are genuinely beautiful. She's one cowgirl to watch.

Shania Twain, Faith Hill and The Dixie Chicks have all broken on to the other side of the mainstream curtain with their special brand of Popish Country music, but Mercedez sounds nothing like them. Her voice is sweet and soft and her tunes are somewhat theatrical, you can hear the emotion rather then her trying to hit the perfect pitch or bellow out a note for what seems like forever. There's no showing off with this Country chick and there is a twang element to all of her songs, but then it's subtle and used only when needed. Mercedez isn't trying to prove that she's got a Country soul; it just shows itself naturally.

Mercedez wrote and performed all of the music on her debut, self-titled album released on her own record label, Crystal Unicorn Productions. There are plenty of love tunes, like No Me Without You, Heart of Mine and Me and Jessie, but it sounds like Mercedez enjoys playing the bad girl in her songs Should've Listened To You and Have Some Fun Tonight. Her most touching track is Kid on a Carrousel, which is filled with the quiet longing of remembrance.

Mercedez continues to succeed with her talent as a singer/songwriter and as an actress. She has hosted her own show, Music Magazine, was a double for Sherie North (Walker: Texas Ranger) and has been the darling of KFMM (Arizona) by being invited to appear with them at the annual Safford Arizona parade. Mercedez shows that cowgirls defiantly have Girl Power.