Hole (band)

Amelia O'Connell from Liverpool aged 13 singing Over the Raibow at Avery Fischer hall on Broadway NY Oct 2010, she sang with Stevie wonder and Bette Midler at the same event, also on the video is Bill Cosby and Renee Zellweger. the event raised $3.5 million dollars on the night. Below is the write up the next day from the New York post. Stars outshone at kids' benefit By DAN AQUILANTE Last Updated: 7:24 AM, October 23, 2010 Posted: 10:01 PM, October 22, 2010 In a line up that included Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp and Bette Midler, it was a 13-year-old who earned the only standing ovation Thursday night at Avery Fisher Hall. At a benefit for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camps for kids with serious medical problems, Amelia O'Connell of Liverpool, England, stole the show from the pros -- It was the musical skills of this camper that left Wonder and company (also including Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett and Keb' Mo') in her shadow. Headliner Stevie Wonder was upstaged by 13-year-old heart patient Amelia O'Connell (center, in white shirt) at Thursday's benefit for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps for kids.Standing center stage with pure poise, she turned to the backing band and gave a slight nod that said she was ready. The music started, and this munchkin of a girl boomed a stunning rendition of "Over the Rainbow." Amelia didn't ape Judy Garland, yet her voice delivered the song with the kind of purity that never fails to raise goosebumps. She hit the song's high notes effortlessly, inserting trills in the melody that made you believe she was actually interpreting the well-worn American standard. It was fantastic. After the show, O'Connell told The Post, "I wasn't nervous at all. I didn't even think about it -- I just sang." Although she says she's never taken singing lessons or been part of a professional production, she added, "I want to be a singer-songwriter when I grow up." If you ask Stevie Wonder -- who was also pretty terrific in his headlining set -- he'd probably agree that Amelia O'Connell is already halfway there.

• published: 11 Apr 2013
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