Lacy Younger

Even with her last album "Still Wild" , (released just a few years earlier) in the archives, Lacy continues to eke out her existence. Lacy Younger is among the few people who have ears and draws attention to herself with her striking ‘cool’ that lies somewhere between SUSAN TEDESCHI, DANA FUCHS and PAT BENATAR,..which is an impressive place to be.
With the tried and true method of performing on small stages she made a name for herself in Germany as an insider; that is one of her strengths. Now that she has returned with her band and a very powerful new record, made 'live in the studio' ..this totally unadulterated album should get them a much wider fan base.
Leading with the powerful ballad 'Praying For Rain', the band prepares a solid song structure, where they can embed her time flattering, sometimes pithy, demanding vocal. Then comes 'Heart of Mine', a veritable format radio ‘Schleicher’, (smash!), pushing from behind. The frills are all lined up... The songs Younger wrote, whether on her own or in collaboration with her band, are immaculate. The only cover is the native of Humble Pie, '30 Days In The Hole',... it’s musically exciting and new; Younger knows how to make it her own.
Lacy converts crunchy rock and roll with a shovel of Blues on 'Wont Gimme a chance' and 'Want You Back'; on the associated stage ramp she understands this and conveys it well. Lastly there’s the semi-acoustic End Up In Mexico, with it’s high-contrast detail and South American finesse, to score. ?Lacy and her band ended up with a record worth listening to...it’s an entertaining, "handmade" album that should really be considered. - Michael Masuch

Because she left home at age 15, musician Lacy Younger feels a special connection to San Diego’s struggling teens.

Which is why she created Voices From the Heart II, a CD that features her own music along with songs by familiar names like Steve Poltz, Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, A.J. Croce, Astra Kelly, Jason Scheff and more. All the proceeds from CD sales will be donated to Just In Time, a nonprofit that helps foster kids who are about to become independent.

There’s also a Voices From the Heart concert happening Saturday at the House of Blues that will feature Younger and some other musicians featured on the album. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door.

The Point Loma native explains why having a positive attitude helped her own situation as a teen:

Q: Why did you feel the need to create Voices From the Heart?

A: A few years ago, I was having a difficult day — major meltdown — and gave myself about 30 minutes of self-pity. Then I decided it was time to shift the focus. This is a good practice, but takes practice, mind you. I told myself the best way to change my attitude was to do something for someone else. The only thing I had to offer at that time was my voice, my music and my drive. I was struck instantly with the idea.

Q: Where do the proceeds from the concert and CD go?

A: All proceeds go to Just In Time for Foster Youth. Every dime of the CD goes to them, as all of the costs that would have been incurred to create and press the CD were taken care of by the people who donated their time, money and expertise. All proceeds from the concert go to Just In Time also, after the cost of the venue is taken care of.

Q: When did you discover your talent for music?

A: When I was 3, I was awakened and pulled from my bed in the middle of the night by my grandmother, Goldie, placed on the coffee table and forced to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in front of party guests. If I delivered, I could go back to bed. I continued on that path, eventually graduating to the stage. The footsie pajama on the coffee table only worked for so long.

Q: Can you tell us about your own experience as a teen? Were you a foster child?

A: I was not a foster child. I had a very tough time in my early teens and due to a complicated family dynamic, I chose to leave at 15 years old. I returned for a few months, then left for good at age 16. I was angry and hurting and turned to drugs and alcohol. Funny, but back then I thought I was just having a good time — nothing good about it. Luckily I was a very strong person and channeled my anger toward my independence. I came close to losing my life at the end of 17 and straightened up by my 18th birthday. I feel that, had I taken more of a victim posture, I would not have lived through it. I worry about young people who are victims of even worse circumstances and don’t have the strength to pull themselves out of it.

Q: What are songs that helped you get through tough times as a teen?

A: I was really feeling a lot of the more melancholy songs on The Rolling Stones albums “Tattoo You” and “Some Girls.” I loved the song “Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin and gravitated toward older stuff like the bands Free and The Faces.

Q: What is a common misconception about foster kids?

A: I believe people don’t often think of the older foster kids, the ones who are never “chosen” for adoption, who are never reunited with their parents, who end up in group homes, become adults and are cut off from all resources. Some end up homeless, it’s a tragedy. This is where Just In Time picks up.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: It was something I read, and then heard in a sermon that very same week — talk about getting confirmation. No matter what happens to you, however ugly or tragic, you can choose to react to it or not, wallow in it or move forward. It is your choice! Once you wrap your head around that, you have to start taking responsibility for your own happiness. Now, that will either totally empower you or just piss you off (those of you who like being a victim).

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: How silly I am.

Q: Where is the best breakfast in San Diego?

A: I am crazy in love with Shades (Oceanfront Bistro) in Ocean Beach. I have been going there for years, I crave it often.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: Start the day with a run on the boardwalk, bayside to beach side, or paddle boarding then go to brunch with my angel of a son, Dillon. Then perhaps a few hours in La Jolla or Balboa Park (love the museums) or take a cruise on a friend’s boat and then go to Bali Hai for cocktails and dinner. I could write a book, I love San Diego! - The Union Tribune

Lacy Younger’s debut album. STILL WILD had a great deal of success in the U.S., especially in the Americana corner. The LIVE in the studio successor, LIVE The Way You Like It, promotes the California songwriter primarily as a rock singer in a class all her own. First there is this voice that is accompanied by just one restrained guitar,…smokey like bourbon, not like a mild Highland malt from Scotland. It’s filled with force yet restrained and seductive. Then there is the opener, Prayin’ For Rain, Jon Jones turns it on with guitar then follow drums and bass with the necessary pressure. Even songs like Heart Of Mine and 30 Days In The Hole are LIVE with the same dynamic of band and singer. The fact is Lacy is not only a great singer but also a great songwriter. There are no major political or literary stories in their rock music …you hear a little Stones, southern rock and maybe a little hint of Bonnie Raitt but seemingly, they’re simple stories of every day life. But that is what makes her great charm. For as you can sometimes feel, the woman immediately connects with you, suffers with you or leaves you simply drifting on the dance floor. Singers and songwriters like Lacy Younger are very rare nowadays. And if you listen to the full, (or rather,..over-produced) “Still Wild” and then “LIVE The Way You Like It”, it’s a giant step forward. It’s better really to just experience this famous band LIVE….and so it is!


Nathan Norgel
November 2012
- Nathan Norgel

Raised in Point Loma, country rocker Lacy Younger, once had a production deal with Nashville mover and shaker David Chase. She originally planned to release three albums under the arrangement, but only one was released, Still Wild, produced, recorded, and mixed by Val Garay. “When the economy tanked, the label downsized. For a couple of years, I was pissed off and bummed. I couldn’t get it going. I almost lost everything.”

She won a Jim Beam international songwriting contest and, in 2014, she was nominated Singer/Songwriter of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards.

“For the past four or five years, I’ve done a lot of charity shows.” Country-rocker Lacy Younger works on an iced decaf and brings a visitor up to date on her career. In jeans and a T-shirt, she wears Mexican silver earrings in the shape of the cross. A delicate vine tattoo wraps itself around her left bicep; another loops around her wrist. Raised in Point Loma, Younger lives in Normal Heights. She says her real name is Lacy Waldemar. She does not look even close to her 40,..uh hmmm.. years.

“In 2008, when my last record deal collapsed, I freaked out. It was a three-record deal. We only made one of them,” titled Still Wild. “When the economy tanked, the label downsized. For a couple of years, I was pissed off and bummed. I couldn’t get it going. I almost lost everything.” Younger prayed for resolution. “And right after that, I thought of this woman — she heads a charitable organization called Makua. It’s Hawaiian for ‘family.’ She just popped into my mind. And right then, I knew I needed to focus on someone else instead of me and my problems.” The 2014 San Diego Music Awards nominee for Singer/Songwriter of the Year’s next such benefit will be with Temple of the Dad as part of Race for the Cure.

“I’ve been to Nashville many times. I started going there when I had a production deal with David Chase. He made a lot of country records. At the time, Faith Hill was his receptionist. She had a sweet voice. I asked why he wasn’t recording her. She’s too shy, was his answer.” Younger bailed out of the deal to have a baby. “And one night, I’m on the couch breast-feeding, and I turn on the TV to watch Nashville Now, and there Faith was. I cried.”

After the maternity break, Younger won the Jim Beam international songwriting contest. “That brought me back to Nashville. I was offered another deal, but I took one back in Los Angeles instead because by then I was more rock and roll. The only other guy on the label was Leon Russell...and some rap guy whose name I don’t remember. I had a number-one hit in Denmark. People still know me there. I have a big following on the East Coast, too.” Younger likewise has a fan base in Germany. “I’ll be in the U.K. at the Lancaster Music Festival in October.” But, frustrating, isn’t it? Being an almost-ran in the eyes of the music industry? “Until I’m dead,” she says, “I’ll write songs and play music.”

Story by: Dave Good - THE SAN DIEGO READER - by Dave Good

WONT ALLOW TO BE COPIED AND PASTED... MUST VISIT SITE OR BUY MAGAZINE IN PRINT. - BOOGIE MAGAZINE by Eli Medellin

A few years ago, local singer-songwriter Lacy Younger was riding high. She had a contract to record three albums and her song, “Something You Do,” climbed onto Billboard’s adult contemporary chart where it stayed in the Top 50 for 12 weeks.
At the same time her single was rising in the charts, money for promoting it dried up along with the financing Younger had counted on to produce a second record. She didn’t work in the studio for more than a year and lived off the income from a property she owns and occasional gigs.
“I have been through a lot in my life in the past couple of years as have we all,” said Younger, of San Diego. “My record label wasn’t able to promote me any more in the fashion that we had contractually agreed…they simply hit the wall financially.”
“I had taken enough time off and didn’t want to wallow in self pity. I thought it was time to do something for someone else.”
Younger began writing and recording again with her new band but found she needed something more to occupy her.
About a year ago, she hit on the idea of producing a CD to benefit Makua — Voices for Children. Formed in 1953, Point Loma-based Makua is named after the Hawaiian word for “parent” and raises funds specifically for Voices for Children, a 30-year-old nonprofit devoted to protecting the interests of foster children.
The compilation CD, tentatively titled “MakuaMix,” will highlight up to 17 local musicians. Recording artists have until May 15 to submit their original work.
“There is so much good music in San Diego,” said Younger. “The bottom line is I want to raise funds, but reputation-wise, it’s important to put out a great record with good, solid songs.”
For the sake of continuity, Younger is specifically looking for genres that meld well, such as pop, rock, alternative rock, country, Americana and country rock. She is not soliciting heavy metal or rap.
Younger became a supporter of Voices for Children when she performed for Makua’s annual fundraiser in 2008. She immediately became hooked by the advocacy work performed by the organization’s volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates.
“The women of Makua have so much heart, you can’t believe the amount of time they invest and work they do,” said Younger. “Voices For Children does a wonderful job of finding and training volunteers to become real advocates in a foster child’s life.
“I’m inspired by them all. It’s so gratifying to be doing something that can create more awareness about the program.”
The winning songs will be announced at Makua’s annual fundraiser on May 21st at Humphreys by the Bay. The CD will be available for purchase through Makua’s website in June and all proceeds will benefit Voices for Children.
Musicians can submit up to two songs for $5 each and get a third submission free by visiting Makua’s website, makua.org.
Lacy Younger will also be performing at the Humphrey’s event, ‘Jamaica Me Crazy’ on May 21st. Tickets are available at Makua.org.
Caroline Dipping writes about philanthropy and people making a difference. Contact her at caroline.dipping@uniontrib.com or (619) 293-2823. - San Diego Union Tribune

CD OF THE WEEK....."Still Wild's classic hooks, soaring guitars and overflowing soul might very well make Lacy a household name...."

Max Horowitz - Crossover Media

"...She's got a set of great pipes with a sexy, soulful rasp and plenty of country rock crackle from her band to light a small city..." - Mike Jurkovic

“Lacy Younger is one untamed lady on her latest album, aptly entitled "Still Wild". Whether the song is a slow, introspective one or one that shows off Younger’s get-down vocal range with exaltation, Still Wild has songs for wild childs yearning to be free and those who are just waiting to let loose.” - Celebritycafe.com

"...this style is soaked with a little 'Blue Eyed Soul' - good ideas are certainly there……leaning a little more towards POP music, ‘Something You Do’..was a positive surprise…." - Wolfgang Giese

"...Lacy Younger creates the ideal mix of Rockers and Ballads, without groping for the latter in the otherwise all too happy standing
dripping pan. I Was Wrong has something pleasant and very Clapton Eske
….Lacy Younger delivers with "Still Wild" and it is worth listening to. Falling somewhere between neo-scale country and country rock, she places between Beth Hart, Bonnie Raitt and Kim Carnes vocally and promises interesting musical perspectives..." - Michael Masuch

"...Lacy Younger from San Diego, CA., delivers Country-Rock from a voice that will remind you of the fine vocal range/talent of Patsy Cline. The Beautiful singer/songwriter still gigs locally......." - Robert Shamlin

Artist: Lacy Younger
Title: Still Wild
Label: Big Deal Records
Lacy Younger’s tracks embrace a fresh twist between country and the sound of pop music. Therefore, if you are looking for some modern country, Younger’s sound is perfect for you. She does not drown you in the country sound. In fact she claims she doesn’t like to choose just one genre to label her music. What is more, her songs are sweet and simple. They practically beg you to sing-a-long. In no time you find yourself tapping your feet, getting her songs stuck in your head, and forgetting what genre you intended to listen to.

Younger crosses many barriers and does it well. Of Scandinavian decent and born in San Diego, Lacy grew up in a house of music. She played the piano and as a little girl remembers constantly performing for her family. She would sing confidently from her perch on the family coffee table every night before going to bed. Her success has clearly taken off far beyond the family living room with the creation of Lacy’s new CD Still Wild.

Since Lacy loves to both sing and write it comes as no huge surprise that eleven of the thirteen tracks on the album were written by Lacy herself, a rare quality seen in today’s music industry. Yes, one may say Lacy Younger is a true musical talent. The only thing one is left wondering is what is to follow this first, impressive CD Still Wild... - By: Mary Duke

Reviewed by - Matt Rowe

Lacy Younger
Still Wild

Hot girls and Rock n Roll. It’s the heady mix that fuels and consumes the male side of the music. But when you get a volatile mix as gorgeous and desirable as Lacy Younger…well, all I can say is, ladies, lock up your husbands; she’s apparently still wild.

Lacy Younger is equal parts country and rock n roll, oozing all of the sex appeal that just seems to come natural for her. On her new album, Still Wild, she runs through 13 tracks that will bring to mind several influences. She begins with “This Ain’t the First Time,” a strong opener that has the heartbreak of lost love but rocks in it like she’s got time for others; you don’t matter all that much. I really like her whiskey vocals in this one. At moments, she sounds classically bluesy and that makes for one hell of a song.

Her voice has plenty of range and can easily tackle many songs well. Her album is full of enjoyable songs that will age well, none of them bad. Lacy Younger holds nothing back. In her booklet insert, she provides the lyrics to her songs, having written 11 out of the 13 available. She also gives you more than enough photos of her in various poses. But more than all of that, she is a great singer and songwriter. Lacy Younger is a legitimate singer and belongs in the game.

I’m recommending a visit to her MySpace page for you to get a listen for yourself. But don’t say that I didn’t warn you because you’re going to like her.

I love Lacy Younger but for now…

I need a cold shower.



Release Date: April 03, 2007
Produced by: Val Garay
Format: CD
Website - Matt Rowe

Lacy Younger's "Still Wild"

How is it that we define genre and sound? When we listen to music our minds sub-consciously file that song among other songs that we are familiar with and without us knowing makes that judgment of, “this is a country record” or “this is a rock record.” Lacy Younger’s sound will definitely play tricks on your mind. It resides in that indefinable area where country and rock n’ roll meet. Her deeply personal bleeding heart lyrics scream country, but her voice, and the soul that resonates from that voice is all rock n’ roll. Her sound really reflects her experiences and influences, having spent time playing music in both Nashville and Los Angeles. Still Wild was brought to fruition with Grammy Award-winning producer/engineer Val Garay (Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, and Kim Carnes). Having written 11 out of the 13 tracks herself, the album is a walk through Lacy’s soul…..a country chanteuse with a rock n’ roll heart.



ALBUM: Still Wild
ARTIST: Lacy Younger
RELEASE DATE: 4/3/2007
LABEL: Big Deal Records
WEBSITE: http://www.lacyyounger.com - Nicole Poulos

Lacy Younger “Still Wild” (Big Deal Records 2007)

Lacy Younger is marketing herself as a country rocking minx. A hard living , whiskey soaked soul wrapped in the faded jeans and floaty tops and this album ticks all the appropriate boxes. The hard rocking ‘But I Miss You’ with its driving guitar and staccato piano stabs and the end of the night ballad of regret ‘I Was Wrong’ with its slow dance of tears and heartache. The whole CD follows this structure; perfectly observed mainstream radio country rock ( spelt rawk) – a ballad ( Livin’ On Memories)(Didn’t I), a rocker ( Broken Heart, Broken Bones)(Dead Wrong) etc.

The production is slick, as you would expect from a grammy winning producer of Linda Ronstadt and Kim Carnes and nothing is out of place but that leaves little room for real emotion or spontaneity. I am sure that Lacy believes this stuff she has written about but maybe the edge has been slightly smoothed off these tales of heartbreak and unforgiveness. However if you ignore the awful 12 bar blues chug (Let Me In ) there is a spunkiness that cannot be ignored and the vocals grow with repeated listens, as do the arrangements.

The cd is called ‘Still Wild’ and I should think she bloody well is after being told to run about in skimpy tops that emphasise the cleavage for the liner notes shots and promotional material. The woman who wrote most of the tracks on this cd obviously has the talent and the skill not have to play these marketing games. It is however her second shot at this debut (the first stalling in 1999) and she perhaps feels she must follow every path to try and make this a success and if they are aiming at a passing mainstream hit they might just do it with ‘Something That You Do’; for more long term credibility maybe change the image and let the songs do the talking.


Date review added: Thursday, April 12, 2007 - Keith Hargreaves

Lacy Younger - Still Wild
By: Brianna Nightingale, CSO Contributing Journalist

By the time Lacy Younger began writing songs on the piano at age five, she already had two years of musical experience behind her. “I started taking requests at age three. My Grandma, Goldie would come grab me out of bed, stand me on the coffee table in my footie pajamas and insist I belt out ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ for a house full of martini clad party guests,” she said.

According to Younger, music was always in her house because of her mother’s beautiful voice and frequent use of the piano. On the way home from the beach one day when she was 15, Younger met some guys who wanted her to sing for their band. The rest was history; she began playing in local clubs about a year later.

Her debut album, Still Wild, includes thirteen tracks which deal with broken hearts and life lessons. Since she knows everyone experiences a rocky road when it comes to love, her wish is to inspire others. “If sharing my music encourages others in any way, I’m a happy girl,” she said on her website.

All but two songs were written by Younger herself. The title track was written by Bonnie Hayes and “Here’s To You” was created by Dennis Robbins, Dave Loggins and John Scott Sherrill.

While I had the title track “Still Wild,” playing on my stereo, my fifteen year old brother walked into my room. He looked at me for a minute and said “this song is crazed.” Thinking about what he said, I listened closely and realized that Younger’s vocals go from soft and calm to “crazed” within just a few seconds.

That minute one realizes their relationship has gone downhill is a moment that nobody wants to experience, but we all do because that’s life. “This Ain’t the First Time,” is about a girl who knows she’s about to be left alone, but because; “this ain’t the first time for someone to leave; won’t be the last time my little heart bleeds…it’s alright.”

“Here’s To You” is written with the idea in mind that she will meet the man of her dreams some day. She doesn’t ever want to tell anyone she loves them unless it’s the right person. Referring to her future love interest, she says “I know mine’s out there somewhere, I just don’t know where he is.”

Yet another song about relationship endings comes with great lyrics and I like the idea behind it. “But I Miss You,” one of my favorites, will definitely grab your attention with its strong vocals and percussion. Younger’s passion will persuade you that she means every word. After being in a relationship for so long it is hard to get out of it when it goes wrong. She recognizes the comfort of a familiar relationship when she misses him but not the things he did.

To go along with “But I Miss You,” “Livin’ On Memories” gives the message that half of her wants to forget about him, but the other part desires to see him again. Everything about the melody of the song is convincing; starting with the tempo. It really gives that sad, daydreaming impression.

“Didn’t I” leaves Younger wondering what she did wrong, trying to figure out why the relationship didn’t work out. The ending explodes with emotion just before “This Time” comes to a screeching halt for a short time. As with most of her songs, Younger’s voice becomes loud for a moment to make her feelings known just before she calms down again.

Overall I believe Younger has the right idea about music. She knows none of our lives are the same, yet we still have similar experiences in our every day lives, especially with love. “We’ve all been there,” she says, “I just write about it.”

Younger’s tracks can be previewed on her myspace page or her main website.

Available April 7, 2007. - Brianna Nightingale

Still Wild
Lacy Younger
Big Deal/Big Pond

Singer/songwriter Younger’s “original” 1998 debut on another label went out of print so fast it might as well never have been released, but eight of its songs have been rescued by “Still Wild” producer/engineer/remixer Val Garay, who overdubbed new instruments and vocals on some and completely recut others.

Firmly in a country-/southern-rock vein, Younger’s guitar-driven sound is Stones-ish and Faces-like but more polished, and to a lesser degree pays homage to groups like Atlanta Rhythm Section and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Based in Los Angeles (where the best country-rockers either come from or end up) by way of Nashville (where she honed her writing skills) and San Diego (where she started singing in bands at 15), Younger has a sexy-husky vocal style that draws inspiration from Bonnie Raitt and Bonnie Bramlett – but even more so from Rod Stewart and Chris Robinson. She even sounds a tad like Bon Scott during the chorus of the album’s ass-whupper, “Broken Heart, Broken Bones.”

Conversely, she can chill on ballads such as “Here’s to You” (from the album’s clutch of new songs, supplied by Nashville triumvirate John Scott Sherrill, Dennis Robbins and Dave Loggins) or “Livin’ on Memories,” an original composition boasting fiddle work so subtle it sounds like another guitar at first.

Also not on the first album is the title track by Bonnie Hayes, whose “Have a Heart” and “Love Letter” helped take Raitt’s “Nick of Time” to the top of the charts in 1989; and “Something You Do,” which Hayes wrote with Younger.

external links
artist’s link
amazon.com - Peter Hund