Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Emily Brooke, 15, received a unanimous vote to advance to Hollywood on American Idol. (FOX Photo)

Emily Brooke, just 15, wowed the judges with her rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away.”

Jennifer Lopez said she gets nervous when someone sings a Carrie Underwood song because they’re so difficult to pull off, but complimented Emily for executing it “beautifully.”

Keith Urban praised her “raw talent.” Harry Connick Jr. called her one of the most talented singers the judges had heard all day.

In her pre-performance clip, Emily said she saved up every penny she earned singing to pay for the trip from her home in West Palm Beach, Fla., to Nashville so she could audition for Idol.

As I watched, I had to wonder how a 15-year-old could make that much money singing. Then I checked out Emily’s background.

Seems she’s been making country music for five years. She’s opened for Casey James and Jason Aldean, according to her website bio. She’s performed at VIP Club parties for Aldean and Brad Paisley. Her Facebook bio said she’s performed hundreds of times on big stage and considers Nashville her second home.

In 2011, she won the Texaco Country Showdown in Florida. She was a local winner in that competition four years running.

And she’s even released a full-length album, “Here Right Now,” which came out in September 2012 and is available on iTunes. I’ve embedded two tracks from the album below. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find video of one of my favorite tracks, the ridiculously catchy “Party in the Pool.”

No wonder Emily told the Idol judges that music “is what I’m meant to do.”

Oh, and just for good measure, Emily is a member of an organization called Tunes for Tots, which raises money for children’s charities.

Here are some Emily links, followed by the promised music.

Website
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter: @emilybrookestar