Multi-Talented Performer Set To Bring an Intimate Evening of Songs To Charleston's Riviera Theater 

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Although she spent the late 1970's and early 80's flirting with folk, rock, disco, and new wave music, it wasn't until the 1990's that Pam Tillis found her voice in country music. Before the decade ended Tillis placed more than two dozen songs songs in Billboard's Country Music Charts, with 12 of them reaching the Top 10, topping the charts with 'Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)' in 1995.

 The daughter of legendary Nashville crooner Mel Tillis, Pam came of age during the 70's, with her musical interests leaning towards artists such as Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles, icons she hoped to follow in the entertainment business.

What I was recording in my early 20's just kind of reflected what I was drawn to. I really loved that southern California sound that the Linda and The Eagles were creating." She adds, "Honestly, I listened to everything growing up. I loved the Stones, Led Zepellin, singer songwriters like Joni Mitchell, R&B music, and Motown."

Not establishing a career early on, she did a short term gig singing backup in her father's band. That led her to working in his publishing company where she penned 'The Other Side of the Morning', a mildly successful 1978 hit for country singer Barbara Fairchild.

"I take a lot away from touring with my dad. First of all, giving the audience your very best. He came up during a more traditional time in country music, where his suit was dry cleaned and his boots were shined. My dad always looked like a million bucks on stage."

Regarding her dad, Pam goes on to say. "Aside from really good songs, he had the power of personality. He and his fellow contemporaries didn't need big stage shows or theatrics. They let the songs speak for themselves. What I learned best from my dad is how to connect with the audience. Person to person on the most vulnerable level."

While Pam was still discovering herself musically, she began moving more towards country in the mid 1980's establishing herself as a songwriter, with 'When Love Comes Around the Bend' by Juice Newton and 'Someone Else's Trouble Now' by Highway 101 cracking the Top 40, the latter reaching number 14 on the country charts. During this time she supplemented her income singing jingles for national brands such as Coca-Cola, Coors, and Country Time Lemonade.

She admits to being out of sync with Nashville during the decade. "Country music of the 1980's wasn't really my jam. Don't get me wrong, there were a few really good artists, some who were holdovers from the 70's, but maybe the production styles in the 80's just didn't jell with me." Being the child of a living legend presented some challenges as well. "Certainly I was concerned of not being able to come out of his shadow."

Pam's big break came by means of legendary music executive Clive Davis. The then president of Arista Records decided to branch out into country music, opening Arista Nashville in 1990 with Tillis among the first artists inking a contract to the label.

"They signed me along with guys like Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn." Pam says they welcomed country artists freely and gave them room to express themselves." It was fantastic. Their A&R people, their radio people, it was like working with a dream team. Everyone at the label was in tune with the times." 

Her 1991 debut album 'Put Yourself in My Place' garnered her five hit songs, four inside the Top Ten including the first single 'Don't Tell Me What To Do', and the title track, as well as 'One of Those Things', and what has become her signature song 'Maybe It Was Memphis'.

Not surprisingly, 'Maybe It Was Memphis" was nominated for the Country Music Association's Song of the Year in 1992. This version also earned Tillis a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female. "Still one of my favorites to perform live."

Ladies were in high demand in country music in the 1990's. Tillis came up with some of the all time greats including Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain, and Martini McBride, with Reba McEntire continuing her reign as the queen of country music. Tillis often wondered if she belonged in the same company.

"If this is the era of true confession, I must admit I sometimes look back and imagine it was all a dream. I would ask myself 'do I belong in this group?'." Sold out concerts, combined with gold and platinum record sales proved Pam deserved to me in their company. "I know I worked really hard on my music. I had a work ethic like no other. I poured my heart and soul into every song, and every album."

Like it so often happens, Pam's time at the top of the charts began to fade. After five albums she exited Arista, finding solace and personal reward in 2002 by paying tribute to her father on 'It's All Relative: Tillis Sings Tillis'. All of the 13 songs were co-written by Pam and or her father, while several are covers of songs that were originally recorded by other artists. 

"Loved making that album. One of my absolute favorites overall. I felt a huge responsibility when I started the project. I wanted to make him (dad) happy, but at the same time I wanted to put my own spin on the album. I remember the first time he heard my rendition of 'Heart Over Mind'. He listened to it with his eyes closed, and afterward in that familiar stutter and with a smile he said 'I didn't know anyone could do that with my song. My dad was pleased with the album and I know he was proud of how I charted my own path in country music."

Pam's career got revitalized in 2010 when she teamed up with Lorrie Morgan on what has become known as the 'Grits & Glamour Tour'. "I had been out on the road for a couple of decades, and they began to package my shows with other name artists, mostly with men."

She credits her husband for having an epiphany. "He came up with this concept, but we soon realized we needed to have the right person. One night I'm playing the Opry and Lorrie goes on before me. I was a fan of her music, but we really didn't run in the same circles. Back in the 90's she was on the cover of all the magazines, dating politicians and athletes."

Pam adds, "She was glamorous and a face for 90's country music. But that night at the opry we (Pam's husband) both said she's really great, and I assumed we had a lot in common. So we said let's do lunch and it went great. We had chemistry right away. However, Lorrie's associate who joined us for lunch said after 'it will probably never happen'." Little did they realize.

The partnership appears to have struck a chord with promoters and fans. "The first couple of years were hard. We're both 'queen B's." Pam admits it all changed after they recorded 'Dos Divas' in 2013. The album features 14 tracks, of these tracks six are duets with Tillis and Morgan each adding four solo tracks apiece. "In our third year something clicked. We like to say we're the musical version of 'Thelma & Louise'. As far as relationships go, Lorrie jokingly likes to say 'I've outlasted most of her husbands'."

At age eight Pam sang 'Tom Dooley' alongside her father on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Fast forward to 2025, Tillis 67 years young, with a dream that started nearly 50 years ago, including 35 years in the spotlight says she's enjoyed several career highlights. 'Being named Female Vocalist of the Year'(1994) and becoming the first woman member inducted into the Opry in the new millennium (Aug 2000) certainly stand out. And of course my tribute album to my dad."

The multi-talented songstress has crossed over into several mediums. In 1999 she appeared on Broadway in 'Smoky Joe's Cafe', where she and others performed various show tunes by legendary songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Pam would go on to act on several TV shows, having a recurring role on ABC's 'Nashville'.

Dipping her toe in various entertainment pools, Pam says the stage is still number one. "It ranks first on my list, but the studio is a very close second. I love the whole creative atmosphere." She admits to being somewhat of a perfectionist. "When I'm recording I'm a workaholic. I stay in the studio sometimes 12 hours at a time. Whether the songs got released to radio or not, I want every track to be its very best."

For Tillis the entire journey started rather simple. "At 15 I was singing in coffee houses and anywhere else they would have me." Surprisingly  this many years in the limelight, she suffers from occasional stage fright. "It happened much more when I was younger, but it still hits me from time to time, more so when I'm appearing on television."

Since 1991 Tillis has recorded 13 studio albums, including a holiday album 'Just In Time For Christmas' (2007), her tribute to her father, and two with Lorrie Morgan. Her latest release 'Looking For a Feeling' (2020) finds the Nashville sweetheart mixing country music with a splash of funk, soul, and classic rock. Most critics gave the release high praise, allowing Tillis is a versatile and seasoned artist influenced by various styles of music. 

Throughout the years country music has maintained one of the most loyal fan bases of any style of music. Pam understand the simple connection. "I do think it's more down to earth than any other genre. It's relatable. It's accessible. Country music speaks to the heart of every man and the heart of every woman. I believe country music fans feel at home with the artists they listen too."

Whether as a solo artist or on the 'Grits & Glamour' tour with Morgan, Pam Tillis has performed in the low country on several occasions. The holy city is near and dear to her heart. She admits she'd love to be a tourist in Charleston, rather than just a artist making a quick overnight stop. "I'm bummed that I can't spend more time there when I'm touring."

She goes on to say. "I planned a vacation there five years ago and something came up. Years ago when I was on tour I bought an antique in Charleston and it displayed in my home today. Charleston is a great city. It's beautiful and has a rich history. I love antiquing, so I do hope to visit when I can spend quality time taking in all the city has to offer."

Among Tillis' other greatest hits, songs that reached inside the Top 20 include 'All the Good Ones Are Gone' (#4), 'In Between Dances' (#3), 'Do You Know Where Your Man Is' (#16), 'Let That Pony Run' (#4), 'Shake The Sugar Tree' (#3), and a crowd favorite 'Cleopatra, Queen of Denial' (#11). The latter four songs came off her 1993 platinum selling release 'Homeward Looking Angel'.

Pam Tillis will bring a treasure trove of memorable hit songs with her to Charleston when she plays the Riviera Theater on Friday January 10th. "I've heard it's an intimate setting, so I'm looking forward to performing there." She will perform in a trio of ladies. "I have these really talented young musicians backing me up, and hopefully they are learning as much from me as I did from my dad years ago."

Opening for Tillis at the Riviera will be Phillip Lammonds, a familiar face in the lowcountry, having been a long time member of the Blue Dogs, and a prolific writer whose songs have been recorded by the likes of Hootie & the Blowfish, Darius Rucker, Lee Brice, Josh Turner, and Craig Morgan. "Phillip is phenomenal. He's truly talented and has such a sweet soul. I'm blessed to have him opening for me."

Fans of Pam Tillis and Lammonds, as well as their music can see them both in concert Friday night January 10th at the Riviera Theater (227 King St.) in downtown Charleston. For more on the show visit https://therivierachs.com/shows/pam-tillis/