Amanda Goodman-Pruitt Returns to Wentworth
There are many facets to the lead singer
of Rugged Heart, but the name of her five-piece band pretty much sums her
up. Amanda Goodman-Pruitt, 31, has lived
most of her life as a nomad, but now calls Emory home with her husband, Ken
Pruitt, and three children, Kaylee, 6, Eugene, 9, and Taylor, 15.
Just three months
following the death of her stepson, Wesley, 13, in March, the wife, mother and
singer/songwriter is moving forward with her career and outlook on life.
“I know that my
testimony will touch someone one day,” Goodman-Pruitt said. “I’ve been through
so much, and it’s great not to sneak around to sing anymore.”
Although she first took the stage dressed
in a white fringe shirt, a blue jean skirt and bandana at the age of 4 in a
Bossier City, Louisiana, bingo hall, her father was not a fan of her
singing. Her song of choice was “Have
Mercy” by The Judds. “My parents
divorced when I was 5 years old, and I was never able to really be a child,” she
said. “Especially since I lived with my dad and he worked 80 to 90 percent of
the time.” Now, the rising star tours
with her Rugged Heart band and writes songs with country music legend Tony
Stampley, of Nashville. “I’ve been
determined since the first day I began singing,” Goodman-Pruitt said. “My dad
wasn’t supportive and wanted me to get a degree other than in music.”
Goodman-Pruitt was born in Natchez,
Mississippi, moved to Bossier City at 2 years old and was “shipped” by her
father and stepmother to Wentworth Military Academy & College in Lexington,
Missouri, at 17. “It was a blessing in
disguise to move there on my own,” Goodman-Pruitt said of military school.
Goodman-Pruitt graduated in 2010 with a
bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a
minor in theater arts.
“She had more
discipline than most of the students in the journalism program,” Texas A&M
Commerce journalism instructor Fred Stewart said. “Even back then, she was very
excited about her music and had big dreams and high hopes for it.”
Her music entwines blues, jazz and
country, layered with raspy vocals. Her
next performance is scheduled July 19 in Sulphur Springs. This past week, she played at the Texas
Country Music Hall Fame in Carthage. She’s
also working on an album to be released January. Her “frans” — her slang for “fans and
friends” — can expect an album exploring her feelings about her son’s death.
Amanda Goodman-Pruitt sang for many of the
school events while she was a cadet at Wentworth. She graduated from Wentworth Military Academy
High School in 2001 and returned for her freshman year of college at Wentworth
Junior College.
In October, Amanda returned to the
Wentworth Campus in Lexington for a visit.
She was the guest of COL Michael Lierman, President and Superintendent
of Wentworth Military Academy and College.
“It was great to see Amanda and have her and her husband back on
campus. I am so proud of her and her
many accomplishments since she left Wentworth.
She has made us all proud!” stated COL Lierman.
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