EHGAZETTE

Rick Beaulieu shared news about East Hartford High School grad Christie Beaulieu, and wow! How her star has risen! And continues to rise!

Christie is one of the featured vocalists in the Ultra Sonic Rock Orchestra now performing in Boston, and soon she and this high-powered rock act will be taking the show on the road.

An East Hartford native who graduated from EHHS in the Class of 2002, Christie moved to Boston 7 years ago to attend Boston University. In a recent interview she urged one and all to catch the last few shows now playing at the Stuart Street Playhouse. (Dads admitted to the USRO performance free on Fathers Day.)

"If you haven't been out to see us yet, or you just want to catch us one more time, it's getting down to the nitty-gritty with just 6 (s-i-x!) performances left at the Stuart Street Playhouse (and with our remaining shows in 2009 being waaaay out of town this may be your last chance to rock with us the entire rest of the year!)."

According to the interviewer, "this past Saturday's show at the SSP was just about the best yet! The URO debuted several new songs, delighting the audience with unique arrangements of 'We Will Rock You' and the Beatles' 'Because'"

"This has been an astounding run for us, with the audiences at each performance have been beyond stellar. We are extremely grateful, during this crazy time we're all living in, to be able to get together with you to perform this music that we all love so much."

"One thing is certain," the story also noted: "the Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra will be pulling out all the stops at each remaining show!"

Christie recalled her first concert: a Beach Boys concert as a kid.

"My first involvement in music was either church choir or community theater... I was definitely participating in both by the age of 5.

Classically trained, she said she has always loved "all kinds of music and thanks to my father's excellent musical taste, I have a special place in my heart for classic rock. I love classical music, too--and nothing warms up my voice like a little Bach on a show day--but rock is my passion!"

Her favorite song to perform to is Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean."

"It's really invigorating to sing so damn loudly!"

Musican inspirations are Fiona Apple, Beaulieu said. "As a female pianist/vocalist/aspiring songwriter, I find Fiona Apple to be a great inspiration--her lyrics and music really speak to me."

Asked if "You can only listen to one album for the rest of your life: what is it?" Christir replied:"I refuse to even imagine such a gloomy future, so I'll give you five: The Police "Outlandos d'Amour," The Beatles' "White Album," Nirvana "In Utero," System of a Down "Mezmerize," and Queen's "A Night at the Opera".

To the question "If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Christie replied "I'd love to go to Australia---it's a cliche answer, but hey, it's the truth."

To the question "Best words of advice you ever received?" her reply was "My voice teacher in college gave me lots of good advice--namely, that I should sing any music that moves me and, that a glass of wine (or milk, for that matter) before a vocal performance never hurt anyone!"

Christie performs in URO at the Stuart Street Playhouse every Saturday night performing rock songs by QUEEN, BOWIE, THE WHO, THE BEATLES, LED ZEPPELIN and others. Tickets are $39.50.

(Picture by Marshall Goff).