Natalie Turgeon Band (Christopher Shrader, Natalie Turgeon, John Cunningham, Justin Need, & Daniel Latimer)
Hometown: Concord, NH

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
Answered by Natalie Turgeon:
“When I heard my older sister practicing piano, I sat down and copied what I heard. I then began 12 years of piano lessons. Singing, however, is what I love to do.”

What differentiates you from other musicians?
Answered by Christopher Shrader:
“We are all genuinely good people and good role models. We are the people you can count on and we all appreciate each other’s friendship.”

How would you describe your musical style?
Answered by Natalie Turgeon
“Our first single as a band was written for the RAM Trucks Battle of the Bands. It was about having fun and staying true to yourself. We called it ‘Country-ish,’ which pretty much describes our style.”

How do you feel about being on Community Auditions?
Answered by Christopher Shrader:
“It’s an incredible opportunity! We are very excited and can’t wait to play for these top-notch judges at this incredible venue!”

Tell us something about interesting about yourself.
Answered by Christopher Shrader:
“One of your judges, Charlie Farren, is my all-time favorite performer. I have literally seen him perform hundreds of times over the past 20+ years! I would love the opportunity to meet him and maybe get a picture with him. My passion for playing music has been driven by his bands and live shows. Thank you Charlie!”

Why do you deserve to be the next ‘Star of the Day’?
Answered by Daniel Latimer:
“Natalie works hard at her craft and pushes the band to strive for greatness, all while being humble about her talent.”

Brittney Baer
Hometown: Ashburnham, MA

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“I come from a very musical family and was involved with singing and performing from a young age.”

What kinds of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs?
“This is such a hard question for me because I have such a wide array of musical tastes. I love country, pop, some rock, trance, dubstep, 90′s, R&B, opera, doo-wop, and the classics. I am all over the place. I love the classic 80′s music all the way to obscure indie bands, bluegrass, and acoustic artists. However, I can pick my favorite singer of all time – Elvis. Right now I am really in to this band Mumford and Sons and I can always go for some Michael Buble.”

Who would you say has most inspired you?
“In my personal life, definitely my dad because he has had to make a lot of sacrifices over the years to ensure my happiness and a better life for me and my sister. Despite all his struggles and our struggles as a family, he has remained incredibly supportive and is my rock. He is one of my best friends.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“I would love to be singing all over the world and using my free time to enjoy my friends and family, travel and help others. I would also like to have graduated from college!”

How do you feel about being on Community Auditions?
“I am really excited! For me, performing is something that I love to do but haven’t always been good at. I struggle with a lot of stage fright when I was younger. As I got older, I gained more confidence and that transferred into my performances as well. I still get nervous but I turn that nervousness into fuel for my performance. My dad remembers watching the show as a kid so it is really neat to be performing on the show!”

What do you like best about your hometown?
“I like that my town is so small and full of friendly faces. I used to hate it while I was growing up there and couldn’t wait to go to school in a big city where all the action is. Now that I am here living in a big city, I miss that small town way of life. I miss knowing everyone around town. There is no place like home and whenever I need a break or need to relax, it is the first place I go.”

Janet Donovan
Hometown: Haverhill, MA

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“Watching Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl and seeing The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews. My parents were always singing in the house and my grandmother taught me to play the piano very young.”

How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
“I am a very happy person who loves every second of life, has a positive attitude and lots of energy. I was once told that I am very intense, determined and passionate.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“I would love to be making an album with covers and some original music I have written, touring and singing and performing to thousands all over the world!”

What do you like best about your hometown?
“We are an old shoe town. We have taken the fantastic Queen Anne buildings and have restored them for business and residential use keeping the beauty of the architecture and the history. We now have a wonderful historic downtown filled with great restaurants, art galleries, and shops, and, of course, we are on the water too!”

How do you feel about being on Community Auditions?
“I am dating myself by saying this but I watched the show faithfully every week as a child and never missed a week to sing the song at the end. This show is such a longstanding New England tradition!”

Why do you deserve to be the next Star of the Day?
“I will give 100% to preparing and singing every song. I am a New England native that will represent New England with total professionalism and give it complete passion.”