Bethany Joy Galeotti Press: "Shining through a clear Lenz" March 21, 2005

Nashville City Paper -

Some television viewers may only know Bethany Joy Lenz from her current role on One Tree Hill, where she’s been featured since the show debuted in 2003. Others may remember her three-year stint on the soap opera Guiding Light, or guest appearances on such shows as The Guardian or Felicity. But music fans also know that Lenz has a prominent, strong voice, and isn’t just another actor trying to be a singer.

Her 2002 release Incarnate [sic] was evidence of her extensive musical background, and she’s currently demonstrating those skills nightly during her portion of the One Tree Hill concert tour that’s appearing tonight at Rocketown.

“I’ve been singing since childhood and it’s always been a major part of my life,” Lenz said. “For me it was always combining singing and acting, and it’s never been something that was any kind of stretch. When they worked it into the show for my character’s musical career to begin taking off, it was perfect for me. Now I’m really focusing on the music, but I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m putting acting on the back burner either.”

However Lenz hasn’t been seen on One Tree Hill in recent months, with her character Haley now traveling on the road with the Wreckers, a plot twist that really reflects reality as the Wreckers (Jessica Harp and Michelle Branch) are part of the tour, as well as Tyler Hilton and on some stops Gavin DeGraw, whose voice can be heard doing the show’s theme.

In addition, the song “When The Stars Go Blue” was co-written by Lenz and Hilton and first performed on the Nov. 2 edition of One Tree Hill. It is now available on the show’s soundtrack CD, although unfortunately an arguably stronger Lenz number “Let Me Fall” has not yet been issued on disc. But for someone who was singing in a production of The Wizard of Oz as a 7-year-old and managed to appear realistic portraying a mobster’s wife at 17, Lenz simply views her current work as a continuation of what’s she enjoyed doing much of her life.

- Ron Wynn