BRANSON, Mo., January 30, 2014 – As Branson singer song writer Tessa Kate was given the “Golden Ticket” to Hollywood tonight on the hit Fox Prime Time show “American Idol,” she takes a huge step on a singing journey that began “to the beat of a washing machine” and has progressed to the National spotlight of “American Idol.” The excitement and joy of this talented young song writer and singer was enthusiastically shared by her friends and co-workers in Branson. Larry Milton, the co-owner of Main Street Lake Cruises and The Paddlewheel, where Tessa works and performs, said, “We are all just so happy and thrilled at the results of tonight’s show and the opportunity that it presents for a national audience to experience what we here in Branson have had the opportunity to experience, the talent and personality of this amazing young lady.”
In an October 2013 interview, not connected with “American Idol,” just prior to Tessa starting her one person gig at Main Street Marina’s Paddlewheel, provides some interesting insight into this fascinating and talented young lady’s passion for her music. She said that her mother said, “I started singing to the beat of a washing machine before I could talk.” When asked what the primary inspiration was that caused her to develop her talent she said, “Can’t say that I ever developed it. I’ve always loved to sing and don’t remember ever not singing.” She learned to play the guitar when she was about 14 because her dad, although not professionally, played the guitar and sang his whole life and she wanted to learn to play the guitar so she could play with him.
As an “Office Lead” for Main Street Cruise Lines Tessa sells tickets, helps with customer service and substitutes as a crew member on the boats when needed. When asked how she got the gig at ThePaddlewheel she said, “After opening ThePaddlewheel here at Main Street Marina they said they wanted to have music entertainment at night so I threw myself out there and told them that I play and sing. Even though the owners and management of Main Street Marina and The Paddlewheel are the same and she knew them she said, “My audition for them was the scariest ‘show’ I ever did.”
Somehow, after performing tonight before a national television audience on “American Idol” one would just have to think that the Paddlewheel Audition might be relegated to the second scariest show she ever did. Tessa Kate’s “American Idol” journey continues as she goes to Hollywood and the next “American Idol” round in pursuit of the realization of her dreams, but one thing is for certain, “She’s come a long way since singing to the beat of that washing machine.” Godspeed Tessa Kate, Godspeed.
