Olivia West

I grew up in the outskirts of Kansas City, MO, in a small town called Harrisonville. My daddy was a roofer and Church of Christ preacher, and Mom stayed at home.

All I ever wanted to be was a singer. I've never been able to go to a concert without wishing I was onstage. I remember being jealous of Alabama when my dad took me to my first concert at the age of 7.

When I was a little girl, Dad told me that Patsy Cline's voice was so smoothe and beautiful because she ate so many peas. For years I swallowed peas while holding my nose so I could sound like Patsy.

less