Carly’s Fans Keep on Watching

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Irish Voice Entertainment

Carly’s Fans Keep on Watching

March 19, 2008

By April Drew

IRISH American Idol contestant Carly Smithson from Dublin has made it to top 11 contestants on the Fox show, and her biggest fans are in her adopted hometown of San Diego.
Smithson, who worked as a waitress, bartender and entertainer in the Field bar and restaurant in San Diego, has a very loyal fan base who get together every Tuesday and Wednesday night to support their friend and vote to keep her in the competition.

Owner of the Field, Daniel Drayne from Co. Tyrone said he and his staff are so proud of their once-employee, and there is no doubt in his mind that Carly will go all the way.

“She is just brilliant. We always knew she had it in her. Her voice is amazing and she drew a huge crowd here to the bar on a Saturday night when she would perform,” Drayne told the Irish Voice.

Although he is confident that Smithson will not be coming back to work in the Field ever again, he knows that they haven’t seen the last of her.

“Carly also owns a tattoo shop with her husband in San Diego and we are sure that she will come back to us to say hello and maybe even perform,” he said.

Smithson, who sang a powerful rendition of The Beatles classic “Come Together” on Tuesday night, March 11, was lauded by grouchy English judge Simon Cowell as being the best vocalist in the competition.

“You were amazing. That song really suited your vocal range and you did a great job,” Cowell told the Irish girl, who responded with several thank yous.

Several of Drayne’s staff and friends have had the pleasure of attending the live American Idol shows, where Smithson wows millions of viewers with her powerhouse voice and wonderful Irish charm.

“I haven’t been down to LA to see her yet myself but several of the staff here have so I’m looking forward to my turn when it comes around,” Drayne said.

Smithson, 24, who sports an upper arm tattoo, tried out for American Idol in 2005 but was disqualified from the competition because of visa issues.

“I was waiting for my visa papers and they didn’t come through on time so I was disqualified. I cried for days. I was devastated,” she told American Idol viewers a few weeks ago.

Smithson is no stranger to the entertainment business. In 1999 she released an album called Ultimate High with giant recording moguls MCA Records. MCA spent $2 million promoting the album. However, Ultimate High only sold a mere 378 copies in its first week of release.

Smithson’s previous record deal has stirred plenty of online debating as to whether or not American Idol should allow contestants with previous singing careers to be on the show.

However, America doesn’t seem to mind too much because they keep voting to keep the Irish girl in the competition.

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