Dia Frampton Takes Center Stage

Posted Oct 26th 2011 9:00AM by Kenneth Partridge
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Jason Kempin, Getty Images

In some ways, life hasn't changed much for Dia Frampton since she placed second -- and came within a hair of first -- on the inaugural season of NBC's 'The Voice.' She still performs with her sister and longtime musical partner Meg, but these days, it's her name -- not Meg & Dia -- that's written on the marquee.

Asked in a recent interview with the website Keepin' It Country how she felt about going solo for the hit reality show, Dia said said she was and is worried about the change.

"I didn't expect to get very far or be propelled into a solo act," Dia said. "It all came as a big surprise to me. It's been hard adjusting, and I know it's been hard for Meg too. It's a different kind of stress having everything be upon my shoulders, even though the band has been backing me up, literally, and then of course, emotionally and mentally."

Luckily, she said, her friends have kept her from visiting YouTube, where everyone's a critic.

"It's like you'll read 50 nice comments and then one terrible comment and it'll ruin your day," she said. "People can be so mean on the internet."

Both sisters recently finished work on an album that will be credited solely to Dia when it comes out next month, and they're gearing up to hit the road with 'Voice' coach Blake Shelton, with whom Dia recently recorded a duet. Called 'I Will,' the tune is a Dia original that Blake liked enough to sing on.

"He took time out of his busy schedule to come record his part, which meant a lot to me," Dia said. "He's been so supportive through all of this ... he's working overtime as a coach."

While the rise from playing bars to arenas has been sudden and stressful, Dia says she's tried to keep in mind some good advice she got from country Reba McEntire: Be yourself.

"When you're competing, it's hard to get anxious and try to do something that others are doing, vocally, or in their performance," Dia said. "But I just had to sit myself down and say, 'Ok. You're not a belter. You're not a gospel singer. You're not a performer who stomps and shouts all across the stage. You're you."

Watch Dia Frampton Sing Adele's 'Someone Like You'