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Brevard Live<br />
At press time the episode schedule of<br />
the show had not been released. Contractual<br />
provisions stated that Mac’s<br />
fate in the contest could not be revealed.<br />
Would she go to Hollywood?<br />
Can’t say. What she was able to say<br />
and do in promoting the show however<br />
was staggering. Day long press including<br />
radio, television and print were<br />
common. Our phone conversation for<br />
this article was temporarily interrupted<br />
only to consult about what towels to<br />
buy. You see, American Idol or not, the<br />
20 year old is embarking on her first<br />
apartment. She is no longer the little<br />
girl singing karaoke that I met some 10<br />
years ago at a New Year’s Eve Party.<br />
Her dance card is filling up rapidly as<br />
well. In addition to Idol related appearances,<br />
she’ll be performing quite regularly.<br />
Restaurant shows have turned<br />
into larger venues like Seaworld in Orlando<br />
and Space Coast Harley Davidson<br />
in Palm Bay. “The big biker guys<br />
who go there have become protective<br />
of her”, mom Diana reveals. “they’ve<br />
even offered to do security for her.”<br />
Out of town offers have been pouring<br />
in as well. Venues as far north as New<br />
York City and the famous Whiskey a<br />
Go Go in Los Angeles have requested<br />
her to perform. At the time you’re<br />
reading this, Mac will have performed<br />
on her biggest stage to date; Runaway<br />
Country in Kissimmee. “It’s the biggest<br />
gig of my career and my first music<br />
festival,” she confides.<br />
Covers of Country Music radio favorites<br />
have evolved into more original<br />
material. “I’m still finding my voice”,<br />
she confesses when asked about inspiration.<br />
Her taste in music also doesn’t<br />
stop in Nashville. “I really like Charlie<br />
Puth even though he’s pop and I’m<br />
country. He writes all his own stuff<br />
and produces it; from his lyrics to the<br />
beats.”<br />
I ask her what she wants to share with<br />
her rapidly expanded fan base; she recently<br />
added 500 more “friends” on<br />
Facebook thanks to the media blitz. “I<br />
want to remind everyone to just have<br />
fun,” she says cheerfully. Experienced<br />
local musician Jon Parrot concurs.<br />
“She’s good. She has a lot of drive and<br />
ambition,” he says. Jon has performed<br />
occasionally with Mackenzie. “A lot of<br />
doors have opened up for me with this<br />
experience and I’m grateful for each<br />
one,” she confirms. When the American<br />
Idol show initially ended in 2016,<br />
Mac though this opportunity was gone.<br />
“This is really a second chance with<br />
the reboot,” she exclaims.<br />
Photo by Kylie Rebecca Photography<br />
Win or lose, Mackenzie Carey has entered<br />
the world of Reality TV. “American<br />
Idol has always been a goal of<br />
mine,” she says. A planned audition for<br />
season 13 was scrapped. “It just didn’t<br />
feel right,” she confesses. Now years<br />
later, the time is right. Skeptics during<br />
high school are now congratulating her<br />
in public excited at what may be coming<br />
up. Those famous words “you’re<br />
going to Hollywood” may be in her future,<br />
driving straight through Brevard<br />
County on her way to get there.<br />
www.MackenzieCareyMusic.com<br />
Brevard Live <strong>April</strong> 2018 - 17
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