At this summer's 97th Annual Festival of Mt. Carmel, held in The Bronx, NYC, residents bore witness to a special attraction, as besides games, music, food and fun, 100's of Bronxites had the opportunity to watch a star being born.

     Country Club's own Lisa Messina made her performance debut in the borough she proudly calls home; backed by dancers from a local Morris Park dance school, my home turf, and singing her club hit Something About You.

     "This is my first big venture into the music world," she proudly stated of her first original recorded song. "The song is circulating throughout the tri-state area club scene and is receiving very positive feedback and great reviews. I am hoping to get some radio play, but right now, I am going around with my dancers to promote the song."

     And radio play is what she deserves. It's not because she is from The Bronx that I praise Messina, but after listening to her dance track, I was happy to report that I actually enjoyed it. I hate dance music. Most dance stations makes me sick, but this song had a catchy vibe, great music and a radio friendly quality that may not help Messina receive national acclaim, but should earn her a decent following nonetheless. At least she is out there making the rounds and doing the right thing to get noticed.

     The Feast of Mt. Carmel was her first stop on what Messina hopes is a tour throughout The Bronx and beyond to promote the hit club track. Backed by music provided by DJ Donato of Dynamic DJs and a professionally choreographed stage show from Diana D'Agata, Nicole DiSilvio, Samantha Tuffarelli and Adrienne D'Agata of Miss Andreas Dance Studios in Morris Park, Messina put on a great show doing her best to follow in the footsteps of some of her favorite music stars.

     Messina, who calls such "classy and chic women" as Cher, Celine Dion and Madonna her influences, because of vocal talent, stage presence and appeal, first got into recording Something About You thanks to a friend. When Sky High Productions contacted her to record the song, the singer/songwriter jumped at the opportunity. "I remember as a little girl, always having to be the star of the school play or show," she recalls fondly.

     With the ability to play acoustic guitar and having taken vocal lessons, Messina's musical talents were finally given a real workout and the song was created, a steady hit in clubs and soon to be released by Oh Music NYC. Messina's voice is beautiful and works well with the beats she is given, a song very complimentary to the dance genre and almost sounding as if it has been on the radio. It is that polished and well produced. Moving on/and I've learned to take some chances in my life/Feeling alone/And this look inside your eyes/There's something about you/You know there's something about you/That makes me go insane.

     That commitment to her craft is what gives Messina an edge in the music industry as she gets ready to record her follow-up dance track Only In My Dreams and possibly a successful full-length album. "We enjoy what we do and it is wonderful seeing so many people receptive of our work," she proudly states. "I am just proud to be a recording artist to rise out of the Bronx and I hope people will see more of me really soon."

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.

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