"LeAnn Rimes came from out of the blue in 1996 with her aptly-named single ""Blue."" At a mere 13 years of age, Rimes already boasted some of the most impressive vocals in country music. Her hit single, supposedly written by Bill Mack in the 1960s for Patsy Cline, put the teenager on the map and served as a catalyst for a successful country music career.Rimes released her first album on an independent label at the age of 11. Before ""Blue"" and Rimes' album of the same name were hits with listeners, Rimes embarked on a tour that enabled fans to get better acquainted with the young singer. After much hype, Blue debuted at the number one slot on pop charts and sold more than 120,000 copies during its first week. The album would earn her two Country Music Association award nominations, making her the youngest artist to ever receive such a nod. The record's title track did earn Rimes Grammy awards for Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.Rimes traded in the honky-tonk sound featured so heavily on her debut record for a more mainstream, poppy style on her 1998 follow-up effort, Sittin' on Top of the World. The album did very well and, still just 16 years of age upon its release, Rimes truly must have felt like she was sitting on top of the world.Though Sittin' on Top of the World showed some desire to depart from country, Rimes' work since has remained true to what got her her start. Aside from a brief respite from the country sound again for 2002's coming of age release Twisted Angel, Rimes has stuck with contemporary country for the most part. She's continued to release albums, most recently with 2007's Family, which rose to the top five on several Billboard charts, showing she's successfully made the transition from child star to adult star."