2007年VOA标准英语-Country Star Darryl Worley Rediscovers Himself

By Larry London
Washington
08 August 2007
 

Country singer Darryl Worley signed his first major record deal in 1999 and made his debut¹ on country music's most famous stage, The Grand Ole Opry, the following year. Since then, he has become known for serious, melancholy² songs. But on his latest album, he has a new perspective³ and a new sound. VOA's Larry London has more on this rising country star.

Darryl Wooley

Darryl Worley's album "Here and Now" takes his music in a new musical direction with songs about good times and living life to its fullest. That new attitude is a throwback to his days playing local clubs and dances in his hometown of Pyburn, Tennessee.

He is also more willing to express himself as he did in the video for "Nothin' But a Love Thang." "I wasn't divorced⁴ yet at the time.  We decided⁵ to do kind of a steamy [sexy] video -- not too carried away.  It got pretty steamy, and my wife kind of freaked out [got upset] about it.  My mom wasn't that crazy about the video, either."

Despite his growing fame, Worley's roots remain firmly planted in southern Tennessee. His charitable organization, The Darryl Worley Foundation⁶, supports local and national charities, while his annual fundraiser, the Tennessee River Run, promotes the area he calls home. "When I first started this business, I told my management, 'One of my dreams is to someday be successful enough in what I'm doing, to maybe have a big show back home, like the June Jam or whatever -- those big mainstay shows -- and do it for charity, bring all the proceeds⁷ and let it help those from my local area where I grew up.'"

Worley has enjoyed great success on the country music charts including three number one songs.

As he takes his music in a new direction, he feels the best is yet to come. "I have grown a lot.  I think we've spent a lot of time … I think everyone spends a lot of time worrying about things that you really can't control.  I think for the most part, we just go along for the ride.  I just get comfortable in my seat, and watch it all unfold."

1 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

2 melancholy   

n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
• He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过，他感到很郁闷。

3 perspective   

n.视角，观点，想法

参考例句：

• You can get a perspective of the whole city from here.从这里你可以看到城市的全景。
• We may get a clear perspective of the people's happy lives.我们知道人民对幸福生活的展望。

4 divorced   

adj.离婚的；分开的；不相干的；脱离的v.与…离婚(divorce的过去式和过去分词)；分离；与某人离婚，判某人离婚

参考例句：

• Apparently they are getting divorced soon. 看样子，他们很快就要离婚。
• Many divorced men remarry and have second families. 许多离婚的男子再婚组成了新的家庭。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 foundation   

n.[pl.]地基；基础；基金会；建立，创办

参考例句：

• The foundation of the university took place 600 years ago.这所大学是600年前创办的。
• The Foundation gives money to help artists.那家基金会捐款帮助艺术家。

7 proceeds   

n.（pl）收益

参考例句：

• She sold her car and bought a piano with the proceeds. 她卖掉了汽车，然后用这笔收入买了一架钢琴。
• They bought a new minibus with the proceeds from the auction. 他们用拍卖得来的钱买了一辆新面包车。