Laura Bryna

Laura Bryna is a force of nature, a throwback to the all-around entertainers who can't just sing, dance and act, but is a radio talk show host, a children's book author and an outspoken advocate for our military. Her new music, produced with Grammy-winner Damon Sharpe (Ariana Grande, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Big Time Rush), represents a major stylistic shift for the country star.

The first new track, “Sweet Revenge,” is a banging ‘80s New Wave number that recalls Blondie, even though it’s Damon Sharpe production that puts it firmly on the cutting edge.“It’s been an amazing experience working with Laura on her ‘reinvention,’” says Sharpe. “She is a true talent and has a clear vision of who she is, while still being open to creative input. I think her fans will be pleasantly surprised with the new sound we have crafted.”

“I want to continue making music and seeing where the dream takes me,” says Bryna, who is taking acting lessons “just in case.” “Music is like a tree, with all those branches coming from it representing opportunities. I’m prepared for whatever life has in store.”

Laura has attracted some pretty impressive collaborators on her path. “For me, it’s the whole team that makes my wishes come true,” she says. “This is no ‘I’ in team. When you work as hard as we do, to finally see it all start to come together is a ‘pinch-me’ moment.”

Bryna was born in Mount Airy, Maryland on December 25. When she was young, she gained an interest in country music on road trips to Washington, D.C. while her brother was in a hospital there.[1] After attending Philadelphia's University of the Arts, she starred in a musical called Rasputin and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. There, she got internships at Sony Tree Publishing and DreamWorks Publishing, and later signed to Equity Music Group, a label owned by singer Clint Black, in January 2006. Mike Kraski, head of the label, said that he became aware of Bryna after she co-wrote and recorded song titled "Make a Wish" for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[2][3]

Bryna toured with Black in late 2007[4] before Equity released her debut album, Trying to Be Me, in January 2008. To promote the album, Bryna broadcast the music video for the single "Make a Wish" on flat-screen monitors in the Luxor and Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for one month.[5] She also performed at the Fashion Show Mall and had 10,000-square-foot (930 m²) images of herself on top of the Luxor's tower. On January 14, she held a release party for the album at the Luxor, and included a bonus track called "I Don't Have a Thing to Wear" on a special edition of the album which was released only at the Luxor and Excalibur.

In April 2008, Bryna joined the board of directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic. She also released another single, "Life Is Good", in early 2008.[6] Bryna left Equity in December 2008 when Black closed the label.[7] She has continued to tour and perform at various venues, including a performance at the House of Blues in 2009. In 2010, she became the host of GoTV Networks' True Country show.[8]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Laura Bryna.

• Official website