[October 15, 2009] Music at the Crossroads: Kelly Clarkson's got talent Tweet Oct 14, 2009 (Victoria Advocate - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- HOT CONCERTS NEXT WEEK HOUSTON AREA Oct. 23 -- Janis Ian, Dosey Doe Inc., The Woodlands, $64, $72, Doseydoecoffeeshop.com, 281-367-3774 Oct. 24 -- Colbie Caillat, Howie Day, Meridian Event Center, $34, Ticketmaster.com Oct. 24 -- KTBZ Buzzfest with Alice In Chains, Our Lady Peace, Puddle of Mudd, Saving Abel, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, $37.50-$150, Ticketmaster.com Oct. 24 -- O.A.R., Verizon Wireless Theater, $13.50-$29.50, Livenation.com Oct. 24 -- Ziegfest Music Festival with Kevil Fowler, Bob Schneider, The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park, $16-$30, shrp.com SAN ANTONIO Oct. 22 -- 99.5 KISS Bone Bash feat. Alice in Chains, Puddle of Mudd, AT&T Center, $37.50-$57.50, Ticketmaster.com AUSTIN Oct. 22 -- Colbie Caillat, Howie Day, Stubb's BBQ, $25-$28, Stubbsaustin.com CORPUS CHRISTI Oct. 16-18 -- Texas Jazz Festival, Heritage Park, 361-688-1296 Hey, music fans, Kelly Clarkson really knows how to belt it out. Her octave ranges are impressive and I have more respect for her than I do for other pop artists, because she actually has talent. From her "American Idol" days back in 2002, up until now, she's been known as that sweet, humble, non-controversial girl who is good at combining dance/pop music with rock 'n' roll spin. I remember being impressed with her soulful vocals upon first hearing her "A Moment Like This." That song rose from No. 52 to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Since then, she's had a string of hits like "Miss Independent," "Breakaway," "Walk Away," and "Since U Been Gone." She went a little dark in her 2007 album, "My December," as she went through an emotional roller coaster of missing her family, and going through a break-up. Clive Davis, a leading music executive for Sony-BMG, didn't like the record's dark tone. But as strong as Kelly is, she stood her ground, saying she wanted to be in control of her music. I think that album showcased her talent for songwriting, especially since the album's songs seem very personal. Recently, Clarkson's hit, "My Life Would Suck Without You," broke a Billboard charts record with the largest jump to the No. 1 spot, after first entering at No. 97. Texans should be proud of a native artist like Kelly Clarkson. Kelly Clarkson with Eric Hutchinson and Parachute, American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Dec. 7. Tickets on sale Saturday at Ticketmaster.com for $67.29. Dave Matthews Tribute Band, House of Blues Houston, Dec. 18. Tickets available today at Ticketmaster.com for $10.50, $20. Cafe Tacuba 20th Anniversary Tour, House of Blues Houston, Dec. 1. Tickets on sale today at Livenation.com. To see more of Victoria Advocate, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Victoria Advocate, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]