Juice Newton Plays Sandpoint This Sunday

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Tuesday, February 15, 2000): Correction Byline wrong: Heather Lalley wrote the Juice Newton concert preview in Friday’s Weekend entertainment section. The byline on that story said otherwise.

It’s been nearly two decades since Juice Newton recorded the hits “Queen of Hearts” and “Angel of the Morning.”

Since then, she’s racked up a Grammy Award, several Grammy nominations and a roomful of trophies for achievements in both country and pop music.

But she also all but disappeared from the music scene for nine years, taking a hiatus to raise her two kids, spend time with her husband and tend to her horses.

Newton, who comes to Sandpoint on Sunday, recently released, “American Girl,” her 23rd album since 1975. It’s her first recording of new material in more than a decade.

“I always like new songs because that means I’m still learning how to relate to the material,” Newton says from her home in San Diego. “Hopefully they’ll receive the new material as enthusiastically as audiences have received the popular stuff.”

Although her musical career began in the ‘70s, the 1980s were Newton’s heyday.

She sold more than 10 million records worldwide, was named Billboard’s album artist of the year in 1982 and 1983, and had a string of catchy, country-pop hits.

“I’ve always seemed to have something a little more adventuresome,” says Newton, 47. “I don’t think you can have longevity without having some personality.”

She was born Judy Kay Newton in Lakehurst, N.J. Juice is simply a family nickname that stuck, she says.

She developed an interest in folk music in high school, after her mom bought her a guitar. When she headed to college in California, Newton formed a folk-rock trio which later became known as Silver Spur.

Silver Spur disbanded after a few years, and Newton began working on her solo debut. “Juice” eventually went platinum, with “Angel of the Morning,” “Queen of Hearts” and “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” hitting high on the pop and country charts.

“I like what I do and I try to pick songs that I sing well,” Newton says “If I feel comfortable with them, hopefully other people will feel comfortable with them.”

Newton’s show begins at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Bonner County Fairgrounds in Sandpoint. Men In The Making will open. Tickets are $25 and are available through G&B Select-A-Seat at (800) 325-SEAT.

Proceeds will benefit educational programs at Sandpoint High School.