Even while acting in Hollywood, Austin continued songwriting, performing, and taking keyboard and vocal lessons with Linda Ronstadt's vocal coach, Robert Edwards. Musical influences like Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton eventually drove her from Hollywood to Nashville, where she met her co-writer/co-producer Will Rambeaux, with whom she collaborated on two of her albums, 1997's Words and 1999's Love in the Real World. Followin' a Feelin' was issued in early 2001, and Streets of Heaven followed in 2003, featuring the hit title track single. Besides performing her own music, Austin is also accomplished behind the scenes, having co-written songs for several high-profile artists, including the title track on Blake Shelton's 2008 Startin' Fires and George Strait's "Where Have You Been All My Life" from 2009's Twang. Austin's first fully independent release, Circus Girl, is scheduled to arrive in the fall of 2011. ~ Maria Konicki Dinoia, Rovi