by Joe Buffaloe
Daily Lobo
When Albuquerque resident Pam Gentilini comes home from her job as a medical assistant at UNM Hospital, she doesn't have the luxury of kicking back on the couch for a night of mindless TV.
Instead, she labors away on her budding career as a country music singer and songwriter. Using home recording equipment, she has been working on her material for several years.
"It's been a little difficult to find a band," she said.
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However, she doesn't let this get in the way of her music.
"I can play guitar and drums, so I just record myself," Gentilini said.
Gentilini started learning music at a young age. She learned to play the guitar first; then came the drums and singing in the Highland High School choir. For about 10 years, she played in bands around the area as a drummer, guitarist or background singer. From 1984 to 1988, she worked as a DJ. In 1997, she decided to start working on solo material.
"My voice is different," she said. "Lots of people have told me that."
Her main performance outlet for the past few years has been karaoke, performing at local clubs like Albuquerque's Caravan East.
"I perform original songs as a way to promote my music," she said. "It's a way of getting out there no matter what. If not, I'd set up in a park."
She recently took a trip to Nashville to record a CD at Music Row, in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
"The history is awesome there," she said. "There's nothing like it. As a musician, I'd say if you have the chance to play there, you should do it."
The recording process took about two days, she said.
"I sent them a self-recorded demo with just guitar, drums and vocals. But there's nothing like being in a band to hear the full sound of all the instruments," she said. "When I heard the new record, I didn't even recognize it."
The CD, "Nashville Sessions," contains a variety of country music styles. The seven songs include traditional music, ballads, country rock and country pop, though all are radio-friendly.
Gentilini recorded several songs written by publishers, as well as several of her own.
"Right now there are several record companies looking at it," she said. "I've been distributing my CDs to radio stations and the Internet, too."
Gentilini said she wants to go back to Nashville some day to pursue her career further.
"It's a slow process, but you just keep on going," she said. "I just play my music, because that's what I enjoy."
