MUSIC: BLUE-CHIP KID

14-YEAR-OLD SINGER LEANN RIMES IS COUNTRY MUSIC'S HOTTEST AND MOST UNLIKELY SUPERSTAR

LeAnn Rimes, the country singing sensation, has a surprisingly firm handshake for a 14-year-old girl. We're not talking a G.I. Joe kung fu grip, but her handclasp, by way of greeting, is strong, confident and direct. When she has hold of your hand, you know it.

Rimes has taken hold of country music in much the same way. Her debut CD, Blue, has sold more than 3 million copies, making it one of the top-selling albums ever by a female country singer. Two weeks ago her sophomore album, Unchained Melody/The Early Years, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's pop charts. Entering...

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