description: energetic pop, with emphasis on strong songs. alicia bridges meets fergie, with world-class talent backing her up
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bio: to move an audience. that's the highest praise given to any artist.
at a time when music is becoming more plastic, more contrived, and less about the soul, music fans are desperate for the feeling to return to pop music. american idol has finally given us sarah burgess.
since her humble beginnings, she's been destined for stardom. it started to become evident once she sang lead in "leader of the pack" in high school and was elected choir president. study to hone her craft followed at henry mancini arts academy, leading to dozens of public appearances at sporting events and local venues. but that would only add fuel to her fire.
after winning 2005's jillian karaoke star, it was on in 2006 to win ohio's karaoke idol. enough forsome artists, but not sarah. her big public break came in late 2006, when she attained a lofty position - receiver of the golden ticket. charlie bucket would be jealous indeed, as this ticket isnot based on luck - it's based on talent. sarah was one of 173 contestants, out of a pool of over 120,000, to be selected to go to hollywood and compete in fox's american idol.
now there was a movement afoot. sarah had made a connection with the american public with her story of determination in the face of resistance from those not as convinced. after an emotional audition and tearful aftermath, even grammy winner and songwriter's hall of fame member carol bayer sager said sarah had moved her. but more was to come. in the weeks and months thatfollowed, sarah was interviewed on over 100 radio stations and a dozen tv stations nationwide to relate her resonant story. her myspace page began to explode. the audience was connecting.
now that a bond is being forged between sarah and the music-loving public, the phenomenon istaking shape. in truth, the buzz surrounding sarah is probably as much a testament to the public's keen emotional perception as it is to her personal drive as a musician to connect on the most intimate level possible - that of an artist. the public knows her, just as they know themselves.
when she performs, they fall in love. that's because they see her giving life her all - the same way they do. and they know that she's felt what they feel. not content with just one genre, sarah attacks pop, rock, r&b and jazz, with a fierceness usually reserved for people's innermost thoughts. that's how people connect with her. they can't help it!
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press release: american idols sarah burgess inks record deal, records first single
denver, co - (marketwire) september 4, 2007
best remembered as the auditioner whose father didnt know she had snuck out to new york, only to be awarded idols golden ticket to hollywood, sarah burgess made a connection with the american public with her story of determination in the face of resistance from those not as convinced. after an emotional audition and tearful aftermath, a bond had been forged between the viewers and an emerging artist. in the months that followed, sarah was interviewed on almost 100 radio and tv stations to relate her resonant story.
suddenly, inexplicably, sarah was dropped before she reached the top 20. but it turned out to be great news. after waiting until her 19 entertainment contract was up, pme records helmsman craig patterson has moved fast. despite interest from other labels, patterson got burgess to sign on the dotted line on september 27th, just three days after her idol contract finally expired. though the details are under wraps, the contract is an innovative one for the recording industry, giving burgess partnership in her career, unlike standard one-sided contracts. pme is known for such contracts, having used them to the advantage of artists like jazz pianist harold oneal and acclaimed singer/songwriter kreg viesselman.
within days of the signing, burgess was opening for daughtry and day of fire at the colorado state fair. we couldnt have been happier with the job she did explains patterson, she tore that place apart.
the same week, burgess was at pme recording her first single, didnt matter that, for release worldwide on september 20th, accompanied by a massive radio, internet, and press push. the single was written by mikal blue and colbie caillat. mastered by herb powers, jr. (justin timberlake, mariah carey), the single is an irresistibly catchy modern pop/r&b kissoff, demonstrating a girls power of independence. included on the single is a stunning rendition of gerry raffertys whatevers written in your heart, an almost-forgotten tune originally heard on the album city to city.
sarah's solo album, one, is set to be released november 30th. some heavy-hitting session players are recording for the album, including greg mathieson (christina aguilera, barbra streisand), doug jackson (ambrosia, kenny loggins), and the world-renowned philharmonika bulgaria, recorded in sofia, bulgaria.
on the web:
sarah burgess american idol audition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jksvqdwhow
myspace, with sneak preview of didnt matter that:
www.myspace.com/sarahburgessmusicdotcom
official homepage:
www.sarahburgessmusic.com
