She is on a roll! Crystal Bowersox rocked the house once again on American Idol. Tonight was Billboard No. 1 Hits night and Crystal is definitely a No. 1 Hit. Performing her rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” Crystal proved she is a star and Randy Jackson couldn’t agree more. “That’s what is called being a star! And a dope singer! Right there!” enthuses Randy. “I’m so happy now!”

Simon Cowell wouldn’t change anything, which is major praise coming from him. Up until now, this was a karaoke competition. Simon’s heard Pink sing this song and thought her version was the best one, but Crystal’s was just as good. He’s seen Crystal progress over the past few weeks. She’s doing her own thing and not being gimmicky. She took a song and nailed it.

Miley Cyrus was the mentor this week and she immediately praised Crystal Bowersox’s “different” take on Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.” She did encourage Crystal to take a few more risks at the end of the song. “There were some times when she hit those high notes that it sounded gospel,” Cyrus said.

Crystal is a natural. The music pours from her soul as she grabs the audience into her performances. She feels what she sings and makes each song her own. Crystal is definitely the one to watch.

Make sure to continue watching Crystal Bowersox. She says that she has big plans for next week. I can’t wait to find out and I am sure we all will be blown away.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7jQLGhV5l4

Singing Out!

There aren’t many places to go for fun in this tiny little town of Blairsville.  But, if someone is desperate for some fun, there is a little restaurant/bar in Hiawassee called the Yacht Club. Tuesday night is karaoke night. So, last night, My Mother, brother, my daughter Haley, Dad, Charles and Erika Rich and I went to check things out.

The place was packed and loud with singing and laughter. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. We found the only table left and quickly sat down. We ordered a couple drinks and a huge plate of onion rings. As we sat back and listened, we heard everything from Charlie Daniels to Neil Diamond. Ability did not stop anyone from jumping up to the mic to sing their song. I give them credit for having the guts to get up there and sing. And you know what? It’s all about having fun…who cares how good you sing? But, was I, Tracy Matlack, going to have what it takes to sing out in front of a crowd?

Mom, Ray, Haley and I got caught up in the excitement and quickly wrote down a song we wanted to sing and gave it to the DJ. We went off in the corner and practiced a few times until we felt comfortable with it. The longer we sat, waiting to be called up, the more nervous we got and Mom just about chickened out!  He finally called our names and we got up in front of about 35 people and sang our rendition of I’ll Fly Away. We even had three part harmony going in some places.

It was a lot of fun and we went back to our seats with smiles on our faces. We faced our fears and lived through a new experience.  Like I said earlier, I am excited about trying new things and living new adventures. This is one I think I will be doing again soon!