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Local woman competes on ‘Star Search’

Amanda Holt Miller

RIFLE- Angela Lewis started her singing career at age 3. “I sang into a hairbrush in front of the mirror when I was a little girl,” she said.The 24-year-old recently sang into a regular microphone in front of a studio audience Feb. 13 in Tampa, Fla., at “Star Search,” the nationwide talent competition that airs on CBS. In Tampa, Lewis sang Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party.” Her performance will air on the program in the future.”I chose that song because it’s an upbeat country-rock song, the kind everyone really enjoys,” she said. Soul singingLewis didn’t win the competition, but she sang well enough for an invitation back for next year’s show.”I went and sang and did the best I could do,” Lewis said.Her good friend Carrie Parker went to Tampa with her and Lewis’ 2-year-old daughter, Alissa. Parker called Lewis an inspiration.”Her singing really comes from her soul,” Parker said. “I think the other contestants were envious of her. She’s never been through any formal training, and she wasn’t even nervous.”Part of Lewis’ soul-inspired singing comes from a personal catastrophe: Lewis’ infant son died three years ago.”Since then, I’ve really sang from my heart. It’s not just empty words,” Lewis said. One of the songs she sings with her baby son in mind is “Strongest Weakness” by Wynonna Judd.Sings karaoke Local businesses sponsored Lewis’ “Star Search” trip to Tampa. Her biggest contributors were the owners of area bars where Lewis sings karaoke.”It was mostly people who know me and know I can sing,” Lewis said.Lewis sings at The Texan Bar and O’Leary’s Saloon, both in Rifle (see box). She travels to other bars in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys to sing karaoke as well.”She drinks Pepsi all night long,” said Debbie O’Leary, who owns O’Leary’s Saloon and tends the bar. “She’s a very talented young woman.””She drinks Pepsi all night long,” said Debbie O’Leary, who owns O’Leary’s Saloon and tends the bar. “She’s a very talented young woman.”


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