Exclusive Interview with Katrina Elam, star of Pure Country 2: The Gift

Katrina Elam, star of Pure Country 2: The Gift, tells all!

With the release of Pure Country 2: The Gift into select theaters on October 15, director Chris Cain and star Katrina Elam were part of a press junket for interviews at Nashville's historic Millennium Maxwell house Hotel the week of the movie's release. Elam was also a performer on the Inspirational Country Music Awards (formerly the Christian Country Music Awards), so we started the interview with a look at her gospel roots.

Kathryn Darden (KD): What song did you perform at the Inspirational Country Music Awards?

Katrina Elam: I did "Dream Big" -- the lead single from the movie

KD: Do you often do gospel songs or have any background in gospel music?

Katrina Elam: I love the old-school hymns, but I don't perform them much. My grandpa was a preacher in the primitive Baptist church, so my mom grew up having to go to church all the time, so she was more lenient about church going. When I got older I went to an Assemblies of God Church, and now I go to a non-denominational church.

KD: What was one of your favorite things about Pure Country 2: The Gift?

Katrina Elam: It was a great experience overall. One thing I really liked about the movie was telling the truth about Nashville. Nashville became a character in the movies. In the preview, you could see the audience responded to the truths about Nashville. And I loved that the sushi guys had a band and had a sushi accent.

KD: What went through your head when you were offered the starring role in Pure Country 2?

Katrina Elam: That was six years ago -- I can't remember what went through my head at the time. Probably "I can't do that!"

KD: Why would you think that?

Katrina Elam: Because I am an artist and insecure. There are so many people trying to get into the music business. Girls are working hard at it and trying so hard to get an opportunity to do what I was being offered.

KD: You were with Universal South Records from 2004 to 2008. Why did you leave and are you working on anything now?

Katrina Elam: I loved working with Tony Brown and his team at Universal South. When the new staff came in, unfortunately, it didn't work out. Luckily, Chris (Cain) heard some of the songs from the second (unreleased) album and thought they would work in the movie.

KD: You have had great success as a songwriter as well as a singer. Do you consider yourself more of a songwriter or a singer?

Katrina Elam: I haven't been on stage in four years. I am one of those people who is happy to spend more time at home and happy to be a songwriter.

KD: What was the high point of working on Pure Country 2: The Gift?

Katrina Elam: George Strait. The last two days of filming were with George Strait, and I knew it was coming up during the filming. I said to myself, 'If you can get through this, you get to meet George Strait!' I also loved the way some of the crew ended up in the movie, like one of the wardrobe people played the mother when she was dead and being covered up.

KD: This question is from Amber, one of the extras on Pure Country 2. In the movie, Bobbie Thomas looses her voice. What would you love to do if you lost your voice and could no longer sing?

Katrina Elam: This is funny but my father in law recently taught me how to draw blood and I really enjoyed it. I never finished school, so I might want to go back to school.

KD: This last question is also from one of the extras. When you were a girl winning your first talent contest, did you ever think you would be a movie star?

Katrina Elam: I still don't think I will be a movie star, but at that talent show, I had the chance to do either an interpretive dance or sing. I am really glad I didn't pick the dance!

Stay tuned for the interview with Pure Country director Christ Cain. Pure Country 2: The Gift starring Katrina Elam, George Strait, Travis Fimmel, Dean Cain and J.D. Parker is now in theaters.

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This article and photo are © Kathryn E. Darden. More photos coming as I upload them. While I am happy to have my articles linked to and credited as a source for other articles, please do not copy, rewrite or republish the articles or photos on websites, blogs, or boards or any other form of reprinting/republishing. That would be a copyright violation.