by Gina Scarpa

 

When Kara DioGuardi took over for Paula Abdul as an American Idol judge, many people asked, "Kara who?!" Idol fans may not have known her, but the music world sure did. Kara's journey to become an artist herself never quite worked out but she found success in her ability to write hit songs for artists like Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, and Celine Dion just to name a few. When a now infamous Idol reject known as Bikini Girl challenged Kara to a sing off last year, the world heard her voice for the first time and people wanted more.

 

This weekend, Kara performed in Mohegan Sun's Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT alongside good friend and fellow songwriter Mitch Allan (formerly of the band SR-71). I was invited to attend the performance in the intimate theater, which seats only a few hundred people. Just two days after filming the live results show for American Idol in California, Kara flew across the country to perform a 75 minute acoustic set, featuring hits she's written for others as well as one of her own

 

Kara's set list:
Escape - Enrique Iglesias
Coming Clean - Hilary Duff
Pieces of Me - Ashlee Simpson
Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson
1985 - Bowling For Soup (performed by Mitch)
Taking Chances - Celine Dion
Ain't No Other Man - Christina Aguilera
Sober - Pink
Terrified - original
I Do Not Hook Up - Kelly Clarkson

 

Listening to her sing, it's hard to imagine why record labels passed her up or why becoming an artist never happened for her. Her vocals were impressively spot on and she sang with every fiber of her being, conveying passion and emotion in her performance. Mixed in the 10 song set were stories of how she became the powerhouse songwriter that she is today and her encounters with A-list stars, such as Christina Aguilera.

 

Following the show, Kara first took questions from the audience members. When I asked her if she read what magazines and blogs said about her, the judges, or the contestants this season, she answered that she really tried to stay away from what the media had to say, especially about her. She did read what people had to say when she first joined the show in season 8 and admitted to letting the negative comments get to her. Now, she says she feels comfortable with herself and that it doesn't matter what anyone has to say about her.

 

 

After the Q&A session, Kara didn't just run back to her dressing room, the way most artists do. Instead, she came to the front of the stage and knelt down, signing autographs and taking pictures with any fan that asked, along with Mitch.

 

On American Idol, we only see a very limited part of what Kara has to offer or who she is as a person. Catching her live in one of these rare performances is a must for any fan. To hear her stories and hear her sing live is to understand why she is exactly where she is today.

 

Be sure to tune in when the Top 3 take the stage on American Idol, Tuesday night at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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