Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe NASHVILLE, March 20 (UPI) -- "It's all good, man," Deana Carter said recently while sitting in a small Cajun restaurant in Chicago munching on spicy crawfish and drinking cold beer. Carter's genuine assessment of the current state of affairs in her world is a long way from where she stood a couple of years ago. Advertisement At that time, personal and professional problems were shaking her world as she went through a divorce and left her record label, Capitol Nashville. So far this year, Carter has emerged from the chaos with a new record, "I'm Just A Girl," which her new record label, Arista Nashville, released March 18. She also left her hometown of Nashville to try out life in Los Angeles. She is now a stronger, more confident person, she claims. "It was a process, a metamorphosis, I guess," Carter said about surviving the past few years. "The change was occurring while the album was being made. Everyday I was being challenged on a personal and professional basis. I was forced to make music that at least was making me happy." Advertisement Fans of Carter's early efforts from Capitol Nashville, which included the hit singles "Strawberry Wine," "We Danced Anyway" and "You Still Shake Me," will be pleased her new music remains as individual and gutsy as the thirtysomething singer. "It's the Deana that's been through a bunch of crap," Carter said of the new record's personality. "It's actually the old me coming out bigger and better than before. I have a new outlook. I'm not scared." For "It's a Girl" Carter wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs, offering listeners insight into her real-life challenges. She also co-produced the project with popular producer Dann Huff. "The music kept my attention diverted toward something positive," she said. The CD's title definitely tips you off to the fact this is a girl's record, with strong female perspectives as Carter showcases her own femininity. "The most 'killer' women are the ones who are like Madonna, who are able to be sexy and also rule their own world," Carter said. "It's really hard. I always thought it was impossible to be both. But when you lose everything and you're faced with what you are ... I'm a girl. I decided to embrace my femininity and my birthright of being a girl and how strong that is naturally. I was ignoring how strong that is. My whole persona is thanking God that I'm a woman and so blessed and encouraging others." Advertisement The debut single from the project, "There's No Limit," is scampering up the charts into the Top 20, aided by a provocative video that features a scantily clad Carter seductively dancing around the room. The next single is slated to be the title track, which Carter said is "a wonderful summer song about being proud of who you are." She also is scheduled to join Kenny Chesney's "Senioritas and Margaritas Tour" on April 23 through August with Chesney and Keith Urban. Few can argue Carter has indeed taken control of her world. With a single climbing the charts, a new record on the shelves and an opening slot on one of the season's most popular tours, life looks good. "I do want the world to know how happy I am, how blessed I feel," Carter said. "I say my thankful prayers everyday."
