Can dreams come true? Ask Paula DeAnda, the 16-year-old Corpus Christi resident who in short
order - found herself with a rhythm radio hit that made its way onto the Billboard charts (as a
result of constant airplay throughout the South West), followed by a live audition in front of
music industry legend Clive Davis who signed her on the spot in early 2006. Her first single
"Doing Too Much" (featuring Baby Bash) has propelled Paula into the national spotlight, giving
her the opportunity to perform across the country while completing her self-titled debut album
for Arista.
Her debut features production by Happy Perez, Stargate, Frankie J., and Danja among others, and
also benefited from the creative involvement of songwriter/recording artist Ne-Yo, renowned
hitmaker Timbaland, chartmaking rapper Lil Wayne and Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren.
With Clive Davis (Chairman of BMG US) overseeing the project as Executive Producer, Paulas
first album is filled with future hits, showcasing her skills as both a premiere vocalist and
talented songwriter; she contributed to six of the CDs thirteen cuts.
"The album has a lot of variety to it," says Paula, in the midst of a whirlwind promo tour for
"Doing Too Much" which has already received massive nationwide airplay on Top 40 and Rhythm
radio formats, "and it was amazing working with all these great producers and songwriters. Its
more than I could ever have asked for my first album..." Singling out specific favorite tracks
is a tough call for the upbeat teenager: "We tried to capture all kinds of moods, everything
from the heartfelt ballad "Overloved" (penned by Diane Warren) to "Make 'Em Clap To This"
(featuring rapper Aksent), a serious club cut that everyone on MySpace loves! "When It Was Me"
is a real cool song, all about a girl who sees her ex-boyfriend with a new girl and reflects on
how the relationship with her ex- had been. I loved working with Ne-Yo (who oversaw vocal
production for the track) on it..."
Speaking about songs she co-wrote for the album, Paula mentions "Easy," a tough cut all about
"playing hard to get and being a challenge for the guys! Having Lil Wayne on the track wasnt
planned. We were both in the same studio in Miami. Lil Wayne heard it, and about an hour later,
he added his rap to it...it was really cool!" The infectious "Good Girl" and the mid-groove
"Breathe" both co-written by DeAnda were both recorded in Paulas Corpus Christi home base as
was the club-friendly, 'up track "Lets Go Out Tonight" (featuring P.B.): "Im just sixteen so Im
not going to the clubs yet," Paula laughs, "but I can relate to the idea!" In addition to
contributing as a songwriter to "Doing Too Much" (produced by Happy Perez), Paula put her
writing stamp on "Ill Be Down For You," which she describes as "more of an urban kind of track
that gives me the chance to show how soulful I can be..."
Paulas musical abilities were immediately obvious to Arista executives who heard her in the
spring of 2006: "I was shocked," says the young singer/songwriter. "I sang for Steve Ferrera,
Senior VP, A&R at Arista after Wendy Goodman in promotion department told him about me and how
my record 'Doing Too Much was getting airplay and was on the charts. Steve asked me to come
back later that day to perform for Clive Davis who offered me a deal right there at my
audition, and I had a signed contract by Friday evening." When it sank in that she had been
signed by one of the industrys most renowned executives, Paula said "it was just as well I
didnt know everything hed done...I would have probably been even more nervous!" Adds Davis,
"Paula auditioned for us in my office, singing acappella and dazzled everyone. She has a
powerful voice and is a triple threat as a writer and arranger. Signing her was a no
brainer."
That audition would prove to be a turning point: Paula sang the Spanish language song "Amor
Como Tu" along with the R&B/pop flavored "Doing Too Much" and "Good Girl," two songs which
displayed her talent as not just a young singer with a powerhouse voice but as a songwriter in
her own right. "I may not have lived through all the things I write about, but I do have
friends who have had different experiences which I can put into my songs when I write," Paula
explains.
Her signing to Arista is just the latest in a series of events that have catapulted the young
lady with the big voice from singing at local parties in San Angelo, Texas to becoming the
latest chartmaker to emerge from the burgeoning Corpus Christi music scene.
Speaking about her early musical experiences, Paula laughs, "I remember singing with a
hairbrush as my microphone. My cousins would be my dancers and I sang songs in English and
Spanish." Encouraged by her family who recognized her musicality, Paula began taking piano
lessons, performing at weddings and local charity events. "I started to get feedback from the
people I sang to. They told me my singing really touched them," she says. "I never realized my
music could have that effect. People would tell me I had a God-given blessing." DeAnda familys
moved from San Angelo, TX to Corpus Christi, TX in 2002 to continue Paulas music journey since
Corpus Christi is known as a hub for new musical talent.
During the next few years, Paula continued working with various musicians and producers in the
area. As word spread, Paula met her manager Ed Ocanas of E.D.O. Entertainment who positioned
Paula as the opening act for superstars Nelly, Akon, former Kumbia Kings member Frankie J and
rap star Baby Bash at the famed Corpus Christi Bayfest in 2005, performing in front of more
than twenty thousand people. Ocanas also encouraged Paula to record a song "Doing Too Much" she
co-wrote with Baby Bash (who is also featured on the track) and producers Happy Perez and
Frankie J. That recording proved to be a turning point in her career.
"Doing Too Much" started getting local airplay at the start of 2006 and by the time Paula
auditioned for Clive Davis, the song had made enough 'noise to enter Billboards charts. In the
wake of its success, Paula began working on her debut album in the spring of 2006, while
attending high school in Corpus Christi. "Its been hard work, recording and being out on the
road promoting my first single," says Paula, who says her current favorite artists include
labelmate Alicia Keys, Beyonce and Keyshia Cole, "but I really love performing and doing live
shows and I know all the work Ive been doing now is going to pay off!"
Paulas combination of talent along with the encouragement of friends and the support of family
has been paying off with "Doing Too Much" introducing her to audiences from coast-to-coast and
now eagerly awaiting the release of her self-titled CD. The smiling young singer/songwriter
says that away from the studio and the stage, shes "a typical teen who enjoys going to movies,
attending dance classes, watching sports and, of course, shopping!" says: "Im learning to
balance everything: my career is my main focus but I know that its important to continue my
education, hang out with my friends and spend time with my family."
With slammin tracks like "So Cold" (which Paula says "may be my favorite track on the album"),
the Frankie J.-produced "Wanna Be With You" (featuring V. Nice) and "Walk Away (Remember Me)"
(featuring new rap group The DEY), produced by Stargate with vocal production by hitmaker
Ne-Yo, Paulas first Arista CD is eagerly awaited by the audience shes been building through her
first single. "All I can say is....Im very excited about whats happening with my music! Getting
the record deal, having a song on the radio...Im still taking everything in...and now with the
release of my first album, I know this is just the beginning!"
