In the meantime, I’ve got a couple of benefit concerts I’ll be performing at.  The first one comes up on April 28th, just a couple of weeks away!  It’s for the Full Throttle Rockin & Ridin For A Cure Benefit hosted by Chuck Enlow.  This is the Lexington county Relay for Life Event For the American Cancer Society Of Columbia,Sc Serving Richland and Lexington Counties.  This years event will be held at Jack’s Custom Cycles in Lexington ,SC and will start at 10am.  I’m scheduled to go on stage around 12 noon and will be performing a few solo songs and a couple of duets with my friend Tre Powell.  If you remember my blog from last year’s experience in Atlanta, GA AGT Season 6 auditions, Jerry and I had the pleasure of meeting Tre and his beautiful wife, Angela.  :-)  So, we decided to finally get together and make some beautiful music!  Proceeds from this event Go to the American Cancer Society . For more info contact Chuck at (803) 755-2370 or email moombax26@yahoo.com

Later in July, I’ll be performing at SOS Bash in Union, SC (Support Our Shriners) thanks to some good friends and fellow talented musicians Erin & Joe Bates from the group, Shot Of Love.  I met them this past December at the 2nd Annual Rockin’ Round The Tree Benefit Concert!

Anyone noticing a pattern yet?  Hahaha!  Singing for free to help raise $$ finds me talented friends!  ;-)

xoxo – Angel

We traveled down Friday and stayed the night in the Hyatt Hotel two blocks away.  Thanks to a couple of good friends, his dad and my dad – we were able to book the hotel, secure gas & food money and borrow a car to get there and back!

We had the pleasure of meeting an “online friend” of mine (Tommy) for the first time too!  And his two friends, Brandon and Lea!  I’ve known Tommy for many years online through YouTube and eventually through the world of Facebook.  He’s also a fan-tab-u-lous singer/performer and deserves his big break in the business too!

Friday night, we all hung out and got to know each other.  Tommy and I shared our stories of struggles in trying to get recognized in the music world and how we’ve tried out many times for these reality tv talent shows only to still be rejected in the end.  Yet, we still continue to live our dreams.  We talked, sang songs, ventured out into the city and finally went to sleep.  Both of us preparing to audition on Saturday.

The next morning, I woke up and got myself ready.  I didn’t eat or drink anything!  I was way too anxious!  I met Tommy downstairs and we headed towards the America’sMart two blocks away where the auditions were being held.  We were escorted through security and upstairs into the registration area.  Another member of The Voice team escorted us to the registration tables and we were quickly checked in.  Moments later, we were seated with a large group of people also waiting to be herded to the next area.  It was maybe 30-45 minutes later and we were escorted to the audition floor.  There, we saw a much smaller group of people sitting and waiting.  The people working for The Voice called groups of about 12-15 people at a time and took them down a hall where we stood outside doors.  About 10 minutes later, our set of doors opened and we shuffled in and sat down.  There was a judge and his assistant seated at a table.

The judge told us we would be asked to stand and come forward when our names were called.  We were instructed to sing one song and to stop when we felt comfortable or when he gave motion for us to bring the song to a close.  Several people sang before I was called up.  I introduced myself and began to sing my heart out.  Each note was pitch perfect, great rhythm and appropriate tone and feeling with the words I sang…  The judge kept eye contact with me the entire time, looking away only momentarily to write down notes.  He moved his lips to the words I sang and nodded his head in a “yes motion” to the beat of the song.  I felt good about this and felt perhaps this was a good sign.  A few people later, Tommy got up to sing.  He was amazing!  The most powerful voice in the room in my opinion.  The judge gave him a thumbs up as he finished singing and sat back down.  We listened to the rest of the group sing and we all sat quietly as the judge looked over us.  He then thanked us all for coming and wished us luck but that no one was moving forward in our group.. and to try again in 6 months when they return.

I felt sad yet relieved.  Sad because of not receiving a callback but relieved that I don’t have to go home and wait a month to hear something or never hear anything back.  Part of me believes that all of the auditions from the very beginning of The Voice should be “blind”.  None of the judges should be able to see who is singing!  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a show like that?  ;-)

So, we met up with Jerry and eventually Brandon and Lea.  We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out and celebrating another audition experience – even if it ended in another rejection!

I don’t know what’s next for me.  I had thought about audition for X-Factor on May 1st in Greensboro, NC but it doesn’t seem practical financially.  I’m not giving up on my dreams but I don’t know what else to do!  I seem to be spinning my wheels on tv reality series auditions!  So, for now – I will hold off and wait until America’s Got Talent comes back and decide if I’ll try for Season 8.. and who knows.. maybe try again for The Voice.

I regret nothing from this experience!  I take with me more wonderful memories and new friends that we’ve met and I love very dearly!

xoxo – Angel

I wore my lavender dress with black trim and sparkles… the one I’ve worn before in a couple of my television interviews as well as the pretty hair claw that matches just perfectly.  :-)  I had my hair up, light makeup applied to my face and the beautiful butterfly necklace Jerry had bought for me last Valentine’s Day.  At 6:15 we headed out… checking out of the hotel early.. not knowing for sure when we might be done and not wanting to risk still being in the room after check-out time.

There was a light drizzle accompanying the cool morning air.  Thankfully, the Charlotte Convention Center was only a block and a half away.  The entrance line was already wrapping around the block.  One of the crew members for America’s Got Talent directed us towards the front of the line and informed us to seek out the other crew members that were distributing the appropriate colored wrist bands.. Red for performers, Blue for supporters.  Once we received our bands, we proceeded inside.

Down the elevator we went.  Following a crowd of people who had already entered.  The next stop.. security check-point.  It seemed to move a lot quicker than when we had attended in NYC and Atlanta for season 6.  After we passed security, we were escorted to the registration desk.  I received my audition number and had my paperwork looked over.  I presented the “Fast Pass” my sister Sue graciously gave to me the night before.  They wrote in big red letters, “FP”, at the top of my application and told us to have a seat and wait to be called.

Approximately, 20 minutes later… a guy on a microphone announced for persons with the last three numbers 000-100 to form a line.  My last three numbers were 381.  After the line was formed and he was no longer busy… I asked him about people with “FP” on their papers.  He told us and several others to form a second line.  Another 10 minutes later, we were all being escorted upstairs to the audition room holding area.  We were separated into groups.. singers, group acts, etc.  Around 20 more minutes later, myself and about 7 others were lined up and told to enter the audition room.

Again this year, I somehow managed to be the first in the room to perform.  I felt nervous but confident.  I didn’t know what to think when I saw there was only one judge in the room.  Last time, there were 3.  My performance went well.  I sang the song – Wild Horses by Susan Boyle – and thankfully was not cut off short.  Back up against the wall I went and waited as my fellow performers sang their hearts out.  It was difficult to tell exactly what the judge was thinking as she sat quietly behind her Apple laptop.  I am nervous to think that my fate this season lays in the opinion of only one person.  Part of me wishes it were like last time.. a panel of judges.  However, her British accent made me smile a little – as I imagined maybe one day being able to talk face-to-face with Simon Cowell, Sharon Osborne or even Piers Morgan.  My memories of that lovely accent took me back to NYC when I had been fortunate enough to meet the wonderful director, Osca Humphreys who was there to film Susan and fellow Susan Boyle fans for a documentary movie, Susan Boyle: An Unlikely Superstar – now available on Netflix!!

After we had all finished singing, we left the room and were dismissed.  I moved my way through the crowd outside and wished people good luck.  The drizzle had subsided at this point and the sun was peeking through the clouds.  We went back to the hotel and I changed clothes.  By 11:00am we were on our way out.

So, if I hear anything before the end of March, then I know that I’ve made it through this year.  If not – I suppose there’s always Season 8!  In talking with Jerry, we also decided that I should try out for some other opportunities, such as The Voice.

I dont know what else to do but to try and try again.  I am afraid that most people still won’t see past my disabilities and my dreams of singing for the world will just stay grounded.  I cried a little today at lunch with Jerry.. Not because I want to be on tv or famous.. but just thinking about how I try over and over and may never catch that “big break” and in the end, I might disappoint so many friends, family and even Susan herself.  But I wont give up trying.  Susan has taught me that much!

XOXO – Angel

The words Susan spoke to me still echo in my ears & resonate in my heart… “You go right back to them and try again.. Will you do that for me?” … “Just try again”  ”I watch America’s Got Talent.. and I want to see you on it.. Okay?  My little Angel” Ohhhh do I miss her hugs.  Her words of encouragement along with the love & support of Bob & Carol.. my friends, family, fellow Susan fans… and of course, Jerry & Tiffany will keep me going & living my dreams one day at a time.

I think about where I was in life just two years ago… and where I am today.  I am overwhelmed with so much emotion and joy – the excess has no where to go but to pour out in the form of tears.

As a tribute and to honor Susan… I have decided to audition for Season 7 with her song, Wild Horses.  I will sing with my heart.  I will sing from the soul.  I will hopefully touch the hearts of the judges & make my loved ones proud.

It’s silly to some.  To see someone be such a fan of “just a singer”.  I do not idolize or worship Susan.  I respect her as a singer & as a person.  I see it no different my love and admiration for her than what strangers have bestowed upon me… that somehow I have inspired them and uplifted them.

Who knew?

Who knew that a seemingly ordinary “plain-Jane” & beautifully talented, down-to-earth lady… way across the ocean, in a tiny village, in Scotland.. would help me find my voice again?  Who knew that reading her life story & seeing the parallels of overcoming pain, bullying & struggles would give me the hope that dreams can be reality.. nothing is impossible?

I didn’t.  But I do now.

Charlotte, NC… Get ready for Angel Heaven Lee.

xoxo – Angel

Charlotte is only about an hour and a half away from us.  I don’t know if we’re going to try to get up at 4am and drive there or if we’re going to be staying the night somewhere near the audition site.  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Meanwhile, I’ve decided to try and promote myself as a singer & voice actress.  So far, I’ve had a few hits & have been “hired” to sing some cover songs for a few bucks.  Hopefully, in time, my little singing business will grow.  I’m still looking for a suitable part-time job.  If you’re hiring – let me know!  ;-)

Until next time…

xoxo – Angel

This summer, 2011, Jerry and I flew out to Los Angeles, CA for a few days.  I was invited to be a contestant for a new television talent competition show that will hopefully air in 2012.  I know I’ve been allowed to release the name of the show, which is – Secret Superstar – but other than that… my lips are sealed!

I cannot reveal what happened, who competed, who won.. the celebrity host/hostess, the celebrity judges.. zero.. zip..!  But what I can share is that this was a wonderful experience overall.  I not only met some amazing people and friends for life I’m sure… but I also got a chance to meet some fellow Susan Boyle fans from the fan forum that Jerry & I belong to.  One fan & now very good friend, actually lives in Culver City where the taping of the show took place.  We were blessed to have her at our side most of the free times that we were given – which wasn’t very much LOL!

We spent countless hours on set & in studio going over paperwork, getting hair & makeup done, wardrobe.. but the majority of the time, we just sat around and waited.  This being the pilot episode, there were a good number of kinks to be worked out for sure!  During our waiting time, I had the pleasure of meeting several of the celebrities from the television show, “Fashion Star“.  Nichole Richie, Jessica Simpson & hostess Elle MacPherson!  I did see John Varvatos in his room but didn’t get a chance to say hello or snap a photo with him – he seemed very deep in thought in what he was reading at the moment.  Nichole had a lot of people with her – she was very pretty in person and sweet as can be!  Jessica complimented me on my hair and said I was beautiful.. that really made me smile big and coming from someone as beautiful as her.. wow.  :-)  Then Elle said I looked stunning & asked me if we were attending the taping of their show.. I replied that we were actually filming a pilot & I wished that she could come watch ours… She asked me what the show name was.. I said, “Secret Superstar!”.. she replied to me as she walked away to go on set, “You ARE a superstar.. You truly are.”

After several days in LA, we flew back home.  I left there with bittersweet happy tears, lifetime of memories, new friends & an overall experience I will never forget.  I pray the show will be picked up and will be aired as planned… but even if it never does.. I am forever grateful for the chance to do this & meet some wonderful people.  I hope I will have a chance again one day soon.. And the chance to sing for the world & change lives through music, song & my voice.

Until then… I will keep following & living my dreams!

xoxo – Angel

August 19th, Jerry & I flew to NYC, NY to meet for the very first time some very awesome ladies and gents from the Susan Boyle Forum that I’m a member of.  Big hugs and smiles were exchanged between myself and several fans in the lobby of the Radisson Lexington Hotel.  After settling in and resting up for a while, all of us who were there for a special day on the 20th, we met to have dinner together.  We laughed, we shared stories, we got to know one another & we shared the love we each had for – Susan Boyle.  After an eventful night and a magnificent storm we said goodnight, showered off, went to sleep & I dreamed of happy things to come in the next day…

Fast-forwarding the next day a bit… We awoke, freshened up, had some breakfast and made our way to Times Square.  We looked around for a couple of hours before heading to St. Andrews to have lunch with our friends and our very special VIP guest!  Have you guessed who yet?    It was a frightening experience for me to be carried up a tall & narrow flight of stairs while in my motorized wheelchair!!  Thankfully, the restaurant was accommodating & had 4 strapping young men do the lifting!  I will say… going down was much scarier!  Haha!

With me safely at the top, I joined the rest of the fan forum members.  We chattered away while making the two rooms look fabulous for our lady of honor…   ((have you guessed yet??))  We ordered lunch & rushed through our meals nervously.  I don’t think there was a single person with a clean plate!  After eating, final touches were made in preparation for… the one and only… Susan Boyle!!!

I had been asked to lead us all in a special song, “Hello Susan” as she enters the room.  We patiently waited and hid in the second room so we could surprise her with our greeting song & cardboard cut-out Susan-faces!  When I saw Susan step over the threshold, I started the first note and the crowd joined in happily!  We sang our song with big smiles and laughed as she danced along to our jolly tune!  After the song was over, she made her way around the room, giving us a huge hug one by one.  I waited and watched as she worked through the crowd…

And then, there she was… finally facing me.  My heart was pounding in my chest and a flood of emotions swept over me.  I was staring a dream in the face.  I stood up from my chair, which seemed to surprise her, and she embraced me.  And in that moment a flood of tears poured out as I told her how much she meant to me… “Susan… you helped give me back my voice…”  I cried and she gently stroked my hair and patted my back, “Shhh my sweet Angel… don’t cry… my Angel… don’t cry…”  I finally sat back down in my chair… my one leg too weak to stand any longer… and she looked into my teary eyes and smiled saying, “I love you”.

After a bit, her and her friends sat down for lunch.  My friends, Jerry and I sat in the other room and waited chatted as we waited for her to be ready to meet with us.  I was the first lucky one to have my one-on-one time with Susan.  She admired my purple dress & purple rose I wore in my hair.  We both spoke of how we both love the color!  She autographed two CD’s for me and I gave her a purple and red feathered pen as a small token.  She took the pen and smiled.  She placed it in her hair and asked how did she look!  We took a few photographs together and I shared with her how I’m a singer too.  I told her how I auditioned recently for season 6 of AGT and didn’t make it very far into the competition but that I hadn’t given up!  I told her how I spoke to Simon Cowell years ago when he was being interviewed by Larry King about American Idol…  I explained how she and the fan forum were the reasons I decided to sing again after a terrible rejection years ago.  She told me to not give up and to continue to follow my dreams.  I nodded and assured her that the ball is rolling now and nothing is going to stop me!  We hugged again and I waited with the others as they took their moment to meet and chat with her.

After everyone had some time with Susan, we were asked to turn over our cameras and cell phones for a special treat!  We were privileged to listen to FOUR unfinished songs from Susan’s 3rd album set to release in November 2011.  The first song truly touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  I could hear so much emotion in her voice and the words touched me in many ways.  I can’t explain it in detail right now without giving away the lyrics or song title but in a future post when the CD is released, I will.  The second song was powerful and made me amazed as always at the personality and diversity in her voice.  The third song began to play and Jerry stood up from his seat and asked me to dance.  I stood up and rested my head against his chest.  We swayed slowly to the music and held each other tenderly.  He kissed my forehead and lifted my eyes up to meet his and at the climax of the song, the crowd erupted in emotional cheering and clapping… we just smiled and hugged each other tightly.  This was indeed a special moment for us… It was the very FIRST time we have ever danced together since we’ve been a couple.  Susan’s song brought me to my one foot and into Jerry’s arms.  When the song was over Jerry spoke up and said, “If ANYONE hears Susan sing… especially after singing THIS song and they aren’t a fan of hers still… then they have NO heart!  None!”  Amen Jerry!    And finally, the fourth song was a sweet treat as well and I absolutely loved her singing.  We were given a token of thanks from Susan a lovely tartan pin in a clear box with a printed photo of Susan and the message, “A gift from Susan Boyle with love.  X”  Then six of our wonderful ladies from the fan forum did a fun little line dance to the tune of “New York, New York”.  Susan seemed to really enjoy it!  We ended the visit with all of us singing a quick line of how it was a “Perfect Day” and how glad we were to spend it with her… At the last few words, she sang along with us and laughed.    We said our goodbyes to Susan and her friends and watched them leave to head off to their flight to London!  What a busy lady she is!

I was very blessed to have this opportunity of a lifetime and am thankful to EVERYONE who was involved in making this happen… not only for myself but for the others who had never met her before.  We each have our own stories and reasons for loving Susan and I know without a doubt she will continue to touch peoples hearts with her personality, songs & just by being herself… The Woman She Was Born To Be.

xoxo – Angel

Currently, I’ve been looking for a part-time job to give me something to do as well as my own source of income.  It’s really tough right now and jobs are scarce!  But I have faith that things are flowing in the direction they’re meant to be.

My birthday is in a few more days.  I’ll be 33.  Wow!  Time sure does fly by fast!  I remember being a young girl, sitting on my bedroom floor of my parents house & listening to Debbie Gibson’s album, “Electric Youth” and thinking to myself, “One day… I’ll be like her… a real singer!”  And here I am, many years later… still believing in my dreams and never letting them go!  And well… for the most part… I am a singer.  Maybe not famous – yet – but I enjoy what I do and I love my friends and fans and supporters both on Youtube and off. 

I hope that pretty soon I’ll have some good news that I’m allowed to share with everyone regarding my pursuit of my singing career.  Thanks for following me still in this incredible journey.

xoxo – Angel

Thank you Atlanta. It was a huge turnout with a lot of talent. All acts that are moving on in the competition have been notified.  If you did not receive a call or email yet, you have not been selected.

Ah well.  I guess that means my talented friend Tremaine and I didn’t make it.  Trey (and his lovely wife Angela) are a great couple that we had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know in the audition holding room.  Our communication and friendship has grown over into facebook. 

So, I guess this means I won’t be going to Vegas for Season 6 of America’s Got Talent.  Well, no worries.  I am still waiting for final word from the producer in LA for the other television show that took interest in me a couple of months ago.  (details on previous blog)  And well, if they end up going a different route as well – no problem.  I won’t stop singing and I WON’T stop dreaming my dreams!  I will keep looking forward and to what’s ahead of me.  I believe that God made us with our eyes in the front just for that…  Don’t you think?

More to come soon… I promise! 

xoxo – Angel

On February 8th, I logged onto my YouTube account and found a message waiting for me from a casting producer in Los Angeles.  She explained to me how she had stumbled upon my channel and had taken an interest in me, my personal story & my singing.  She further explained that she was looking for unique talent to cast for an upcoming television reality talent show – unlike American Idol – where the singers would be heard first and not seen by the judges!  Wow!  How amazing is this?  For years this is what I’ve been trying to get across to the general public… that singing is about the voice – not the looks!

Long story short, she left me her contact information and asked me to send her some brief information about myself.  I Google’d her name and contact information first, just to be sure I wasn’t being tricked or would become a victim to a scam!  Everything checked out and I sent her my information she had requested.  Two days later, I received a phone call from her!  We chatted for about 30 minutes.  She asked me if we could meet that same night online for a webcam interview so she could piece together a presentation to show the other producers and the network for approval.  If I met their requirements, I would be in LA in March for taping for the show!

Well, we tried to meet online but the connection from my netbook and her computer wouldn’t stick.  So, we did an interview over the telephone again – recorded this time – and she said she would contact me in about 1-2 weeks.  I told Bob about it the next day and the trouble we had getting the webcam conference to work.  He got in contact with her and arranged for me to be filmed at his church this past Sunday, February 20th.

The friends, staff and production team that were there at First Baptist Church of Columbia were absolutely amazing!  They really helped to make this all a real success!  Bob interviewed me and then I sang 3 songs… Deliver Me, What If & Heaven.  The four videos were uploaded to YouTube by Monday afternoon and the links were sent to the casting producer in LA.  Now I am waiting to hear back from them.

This new show sounds absolutely amazing.  I love the concept that the judges won’t initially SEE who is singing but will have to hear them instead first!  If the show is scheduled to be filming in less than a month, I hope to hear back from them soon!

xoxo – Angel