Although Rita Wilson is well-known as an actress (It’s Complicated, Sleepless in Seattle, recurring roles on CBS’: The Good Wife, HBO’s Golden Globe winning series: Girls, starring in Larry David’s sold out Broadway hit: Fish In The Dark) as well as a film producer (discovered My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Mamma Mia!), many may be aware that her early show biz ambitions were actually musical.

Born and raised in the Hollywood Hills (nearly above the Hollywood Bowl), Wilson harbored dreams of becoming a singer in the ‘60s and ‘70s after falling in love with The Beatles, The Mamas & the Papas, Janis Joplin, and The Supremes, among others. She even took a part-time job as a ticket-taker at what was then the Universal Amphitheatre, as a way to see such popular acts of the day as Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor, and The Eagles. “I would watch these artists on stage and ache from wondering, ‘How can I get up there? How can I get to do that?’” Wilson recalls. 

After achieving her dream in 2012 with the critically acclaimed album AM/FM — an intimate, elegant, and beautifully sung collection of classics from the ‘60s and ‘70s, Wilson has been focusing on a new component of her musical career as a songwriter. Recently, she has collaborated with a number of extremely talented and successful songwriters composing original material featured on her second album, self-titled Rita Wilson. 

Her new album Halfway to Home (March 2019) has a fuller sound; Southern California rock meets Nashville country. The album was recorded mostly in Nashville and co-produced by Rita and Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift, Keith Urban) with additional production from Ron Aniello (Bruce Springsteen, Patti Scialfa) and John Shanks (Bon Jovi, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow). Many of the songs were co-written with an A-List group including Grammy winner Liz Rose, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Mozella (Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus), Mitch Allan (Demi Lovato), and Kara DioGuardi (Pink, Kelly Clarkson).

 “Everybody is a work in progress. I don’t feel that we’re ever at that place we want to be. Just when you think you’ve got it made, something throws you for a loop. I know I’m not perfect, but I just keep trying - I’m out there, flawed, but trying my best. So, I wanted to write about connecting to those parts of you that aren’t finished, they’re just ‘halfway to home.’” - Rita Wilson 

“I would have never attempted songwriting if I hadn't been encouraged by Kara DioGuardi to write.” We all need someone who asks the right questions and makes you answer them. That’s what Kara did.