“American idol” picked thirty pop-star wanna-bes out of tens of thousands. Troy singer Erin Harkes didn't try out for that show, but she did get her start in a talent show. The singer-songwriter found the audience reaction addicting, now she has quit her day job and is hoping for her Big Break. For more...click here: FOX

Erin Harkes: This is a little more esoteric than above, for currently, Erin is still mostly known around the Albany/Troy scene where she makes her home. So this is a chance for me to scoop nearly everyone in advance: this is a star. And as the talented songwriter continues to play in this vicinity it is only a matter of time until she is as well regarded as any voice that has made its way through...In the past season, she has delivered a dazzling solo performance at "Hats Off", and a few follow-up appearances at Bailey's Showcase; in either instance she captured the audience's heart in their throat with her ability to transform her voice from a sweet lyrical poignancy to raw emotional power, and back again, and forth again and again...if you haven't experienced this, please don't take my word for it; check it out when she appears at Baileys on April 10th as a solo artist, and/or with her band ("the Rebound") at Gaffney's on April 18th...and you can take all the credit when your friends think you're a music cognoscenti-- it'll be our secret: just like one of the lines from one of my favorite of Erin's songs:  "It's funny how you knew Before I knew you knew."