By: Hanna Nakano
act ii in Beyoncé’s three-part body of work, Cowboy Carter, explores and blends musical genres and constructs, paying homage to some of the biggest influences in the music industry. The album also borrows support from the new guard, including beloved UC Davis alumni, Cam.
Camaron Ochs—better known as Cam—grew up in Lafayette, Ca., and graduated from UC Davis in 2006 before making a name for herself in country music. Cam’s 2015 single “Burning House” earned her a Grammy nomination of her own.
Now, Cam is credited on five tracks of the Cowboy Carter album, which debuted No. 1 on the Billboard Country Charts.
For the uninitiated: Cowboy Carter contains 27 tracks which vary from the “This ain’t Texas” vibe, to the powerful parenting promise that is Protector, to radio dj-esque breaks from Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton. Beyoncé rewrites Jolene, calls on Nancy Sinatra, and sings a version of Blackbi(i)rd Paul McCartney calls “killer”. In a good way. The album combines Linda Martell, the Beach Boys, and Post Malone. Expertly. Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus’ voice over Landslide will be the first dance soundtrack of the year.
With credits for writing, producing, engineering, and backing vocals, Cam’s musical influence can be found throughout the album: on Ameriican Requiem, Daughter, Protector, Tyrant, and Amen.
“My brain and my heart have melted,” Cam wrote on Instagram after the album was released.
Cam, mother to a five-year-old daughter herself, remembers listening to the final version of Protector for the first time. The song opens with Beyoncé’s daughter Rumi asking, “Can you sing the lullaby?”, and is the singer’s promise to protect—and project—her children.
“I was flying on a plane with [Lucy] and she was probably two and I was so overwhelmed,” Cam told Variety. “I just remember thinking, all our parents have done this for us. They did it for us and now I’m doing it for her, and I just bawled my eyes out when I first heard that.”
Cowboy Carter is available on vinyl at Armadillo Music for $33.98
Cam graduated UCD with a Bachelor’s in psychology & Italian
PHOTO CREDIT: Clovis Rodeo, 2018. Tomas Ovalle/UC Davis Magazine.
