(from bandboston.com)

I woke up very nervous today. More music business trouble? An IRS audit? My dog ate the tape I finished last week? No, much more serious ... I'm worried about American Idol tonight!!

Now any of you who know me might think I've lost the last few marbles I had left, since I NEVER watch American Idol. In fact, the mere mention would start me on a rant over their stupid age rules that eliminate great singers, and all the glitz and needless hoopla you have to sit through just to watch someone cover a chopped down version of a pop song.

But now all that has changed. Last December I heard a young girl from Cape Cod singing Christmas songs for kids at a little event. I only knew her as a niece of friends of mine, but when I heard the voice, I was mesmerized by her ability to bring these simple songs to life.

Since then I discovered she had tried out for American Idol, and now, even in the early weeks of the competition, her name is becoming a household word, Siobhan Magnus. While her beautiful voice and vocal ability have been almost universally obvious to all, the fact that she is as real, down to earth, and sweet as she seems is known only to the few who have met her.

Siobhan has done all of this by herself starting from nothing, and no matter how far she gets in the competition, she has already earned herself a place in many people's hearts, and I doubt anyone deserves it more.

So I'm very nervous today, because tonight she sings again and I hope with all fingers crossed that things go well for her again.

Ms. Magnus, you've done the impossible, you've made me an AI fan.

-Tom Scholz