McPheever

Most people credit their favorite singers with motivation to keep themselves going. Music is something that speaks to the soul; lyrics, words, thoughts from today's artists all can convey a positive attitude or feeling in general to push the listeners toward a certain avenue. Whether it be not giving up on something, falling in love, new life, or even an end of something; music has the power to almost look through you and set a certain tone for a particular moment in almost any instance. But, my discovery of the Idol runner-up has grown to be more than just a love of her music. Katharine has provided me with a solid example of how I want to live out my own life and pursue my own career in music, a set of friendships in her fan base that are irreplaceable, and just an overall comfort that no matter what comes my way I'm able to push through.
"Them that's got shall get. Them that's not shall lose. So the Bible said and it still is news Mama may have, Papa may have, but God bless the child that's got his own, that's got his own." It never had occurred to me that what appeared as just another American Idol hopeful would change the way I seen things forever. She was 21, just another girl with a big dream. It's safe to say that Katharine Hope McPhee changed everything for me.
I was a junior in high school during American Idol: Season Five, I had been following the show during the prior seasons but no one had ever truly stuck out. I had my favorites like anyone who followed the show over the years but there never was the one stand out the way Katharine had. Following her throughout the entire season, I developed a true love for the entertainer and continued on as a fan of her career after her life on American Idol. Being an aspiring singer myself, it was an inspiration to watch somebody who began her life just like I did through a struggle. Katharine was open about her eating disorder bulimia, and other personal aspects of her life making it easy for me to relate to her because I had gone through personal struggles of my own throughout my journey as a musician.
As much as she was easy to relate to, what I never expected was to fall into a fan base that would grow to be like an extended family to me. Most of today's artists have loyal fan bases that individually follow them and learn about them and love them all in their own ways. I'm not saying by any means my experiences are the same as others with Katharine. We all have been touched by her in different ways but the bonds I've developed through my discovery of McPhee were unlike anything I've ever expected. A standard message board, at least that's what Katharine-McPhee.org appeared as initially.
I was in search of more people like myself who had a love for McPhee and had stumbled upon not only friends but true friends in the same right. The members of the site began to open up to me, not only about their love for Katharine but also but themselves personally. People from all across the United States and Europe had gathered together to share stories of everyday life, inspiring tales, and of course the general love they shared for their favorite singer. For once in my life, there had been a sure security that I was never alone no matter what happened next. These people have been the lifelines that I have been able to rely on to express my deepest thoughts, my inner creativity and just overall randomness I've found in myself. Most I'll probably never even meet but it's through the love of one singer that I have found so much more to add to the general aspects of myself.
Overall, the music business has become so absorbed in the monetary needs of artists, the quality of the lyrics produced and the effect they have on the fans loses its value. I consider myself blessed to have had such a positive encounter with Katharine McPhee on more levels than just enjoying the lyrics she shares with the world. Her general persona and the stories she shared with her fans have not only enriched my life musically as an aspiring artist but it has provided me with a comfort and a figurative shoulder to lean on. The experience as a whole with the Idol Runner-Up has truly opened my eyes and heart to the world around me and I would not have it any other way.