HALE RECORDS FIRST SINGLE

ADVANCE -- Diann Hale of Advance always knew she wanted to be a country music singer, but she didn't make it to Nashville until this year at the age of 40.

"I've sung all my life," said Hale, whose song "I'm Gonna Stop My Lovin' You" was produced last month.

"My husband is the one who is really pushing me, he says I sound like Loretta Lynn."

The song is the first one Hale has written and sung that's been produced. Nashville songwriter and producer John Riggs heard her sound and liked it.

"He's released it to 500 radio stations in five states," Hale said. "We're hoping to get some air play."

She met Riggs through a friend, Ann Palmer, who works at the Bootheel Jamborie in Bernie. Riggs got the single recorded through the Bootheel Publishing Company.

Hale has appeared at the Little Red Barn in Patton and at Nashville Place in Nashville.

For now, Hale said she doesn't know how successful the single will be.

"Right now, it just depends on how everything goes," she said. "If these are successful, we'll send out more."