Michelle Branch Performs on 'GMA'

N E W   Y O R K, July 18, 2003 -- Michelle Branch packed Bryant Park in New York City when she performed live as part of Good Morning America's summer concert series.

Branch performed the popular single Are You Happy Now from her latest album, Hotel Paper, released in late June.

She says the album is much different than her first album, The Spirit Room, released in 2001, because she wrote Hotel Paper as a young woman.

Branch, who just turned 20 last month, wrote most of the songs on her first album when she was just 14 and 15 years-old.

"You know, this album is so much more personal than the first album. And it's a lot different, it's a whole different dynamic for me now as a performer to share songs that, that are really emotional for me," Branch said on Good Morning America on the day Hotel Paper was released.

Despite her tender age, plenty of people seemed to relate to The Spirit Room. It sold more than a million copies and established Branch as a star.

The young woman has since gathered plenty of life experience. She recorded the chart-topping song "Game of Love" with Carlos Santana and toured with Sheryl Crow.

Music critics constantly note that Branch has set herself apart from other young female pop stars. She writes music, plays guitar, drums, piano and dresses in clothes that aren't necessarily over-the-top sexy.

The singer/songwriter, who was raised in Arizona and now calls Los Angeles home, says she wants to write music for the rest of her life. "You know, I'm happy. I'm doing what I love to do, so I can't complain at all," Branch said. "It's exciting to think of what the next albums will sound like after this."