Members chunky-b Posted October 27, 2009 Members Share Posted October 27, 2009 Not that I ever watched the show, knew the show existed, or knew a local girl was on it, but apparently she won... (Madison Central is about 5 miles up the road from my office...) Madison Central grad wins 'Starmaker' http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091026/NEWS/910260338/1002/news01/Madison-Central-grad-wins--Starmaker- From thousands who auditioned, 14 chosen to compete and finally two left standing, Madison Central High School graduate Liz Davis beat the competition and on Sunday won the final round of P. Diddy's Starmaker on MTV. She becomes the first country singer to land a deal with Diddy's label Bad Boy Records. "I want to make history," Diddy said in announcing the winner. "I'm ready to go country." With that, Davis, 21, who was at a gathering at Ridgeland's Alumni House Sports Grill for the taped finale jumped to her feet, and the rest of the room exploded into shouts and applause. "Yee-haw!" mom Lauree Davis shouted. "I'm so proud of her my heart's beating out of my chest," Lauree Davis said. Liz Davis found out she had won the reality show just like the rest of the world, on TV, because Starmaker filmed three alternate endings - one for each of the three finalists - to keep the winner secret. Liz Davis, 21, faced off Sunday against finalists Melody Angel and Todd Sarvies. Then it got down to her and Sarvies, an indie rocker. When Diddy asked her why he should sign her, Liz Davis replied, "I believe I have the strength, the drive and the endurance to go far." For Sunday's finale, Liz Davis again performed Gretchen Wilson's hit Redneck Woman, the song that helped secure her a spot on the reality program. "I've got so much to do, I don't know where to start," Liz Davis said. She will be heading back to Nashville today. Liz Davis now lives in Nashville, where she pursues her music career. Her family resides in Madison. From her first performance, Liz Davis wowed the judges. She sang Gunpowder and Lead for the first show, eliciting comments like "Smoking" from judge Tamara Conniff. Record producer Rodney Jenkins said her vocals were "amazing." She also has performed Madonna's Material Girl, Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats and another Wilson song, I'm Here for the Party, earlier to more praise from the judges. The competition began Aug. 16 with 14 contestants. She was the only contestant from the South and the only country artist. "When I heard Diddy was hosting it, my original reaction was, 'He won't be interested in a country singer.' But my friend told me it was open to all genres. So two days before the auditions in Atlanta, I said, 'Why not?' I had nothing to lose," she said. Thousands auditioned across the country. Liz Davis performed Redneck Woman and an original song for a screening committee, earning her way to New York and an audition in front of Diddy and co-producer Mark Burnett. Again, she sang Redneck Woman and an original number. Liz Davis learned later that day she had made the Final 14. Throughout high school, Liz Davis performed in talent shows across the South, including the Mississippi State Fair. At a talent show in Jackson, Liz Davis caught the eye of Norbert Putnam, who played bass for Elvis Presley and helped launch the careers of Dan Fogelberg and Jimmy Buffett. Putnam encouraged Liz Davis to enroll at Delta State University, where Putnam was teaching in the music program. Liz Davis stayed at Delta State three semesters because "her grades were terrible, except in her music classes," her mom said. "All she cared about was singing." She told her mom and dad, Dale, in December 2006 that she wanted to quit and move to Nashville. "They supported my decision 100 percent," she said. She found it hard to break into to the music business in Nashville and for that reason was grateful to get the break on Starmaker. "It's a foot in the door, and that's all you can really ask for," she said in August. On Starmaker the 14 contestants - seven male and seven female, all from different backgrounds - perform on stage and have assignments each week. "It's been an amazing journey," Liz Davis said Sunday night. "I didn't know how strong I was until I was on that stage." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted October 27, 2009 Members Share Posted October 27, 2009 I wonder if anything will come of it? I hope so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chunky-b Posted October 27, 2009 Author Members Share Posted October 27, 2009 I wonder if anything will come of it? I hope so. I'm curious how the whole P Diddy / Country aspect will meld together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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