Singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge's life started to change when she began writing her autobiography, "The Truth Is . . . ," back in 1999.
"I was at a strange place in my life," Etheridge said during a telephone interview from her home in Los Angeles. "It wasn't that a gray cloud was over my head all day, but professionally and personally I was in a different place than I was used to. So I decided to write a book."
The book was suppose be about the songwriter's lyrics, she said. "It wasn't supposed to be about my life," she said with a laugh. "I wanted to create something different than my usual thing, and I felt that a book about my lyrics would be nice. I thought it was a good idea. I keep all my lyrics, even from when I was a kid. But when I started to write the book, things began to change and take a life of their own."
A few months after she began writing, Etheridge broke up with long-term companion (and mother of her two children) Julie Cypher. "I became very open to the idea of writing about my life," Etheridge said. "And I realized that I had total control over the project. I could answer all my own questions in the book. So I did."
The book delved into her personal life, which wasn't received too keenly by members of her family, but Etheridge defended the project, as she has during the two years since the book was published. "It's the truth. And that's always been important to me. Even in my lyrics, I try to be as truthful as I can."
Etheridge will perform at the Deer Valley Amphitheater on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Show time is 7:30 p.m. with opening act Rosey. Tickets are available through all Smith'sTix outlets or by calling 467-TIXX or 1-800-888-TIXX.
During the past couple of months, she went into the studio to record her latest album, "Skin," which, like her book, is packed with poignant and honest poetry about what has happened in her life. Such songs as "Down to One," "Love Please" and "I Want to Be in Love" were open tunes written from her heart as she reflected on the break-up and her coming to terms about the realization she would be alone after a 12-year relationship.
"I view my music as making my secrets available to listeners," Etheridge said. "The challenge of creating music like that is always trying to dig deeper into the truth and not settling for something easy and full of cliches. I still try to go beyond the surface of issues and get into the soul."
Making "Skin" was a rewarding experience for Etheridge. "First, it was healing and therapeutic getting all those feelings and words out of myself. Then the recording process was like building something good and strong. It felt good."
Still, nothing stacks up to performing live, Etheridge said. "Playing in front of thousands of people and hearing them singing back at me is something that can never be replaced in my life. The stage, to me, is the safest place on earth. The energy and feeling of it is the culmination of the creative process."
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com