Nurse makes return to music pay as P.E.I. winnter of Ovation talent search

To rhythmic stomping, clapping and otherwise complete audience involvement, the 2008 Charlottetown Ovation winner brought the house down at the Confederation Centre last Friday night.
Corinne Adams of Charlottetown, a part-time registered nurse who recently returned to her music after having put it aside for many years, sang No One by Alicia Keys.
The choice was completely different from the piece she chose as a demo sent to the David Foster organization before the contest, she said.
"I wanted something that was really me. I love Alicia Keys."
Ovation, David Foster's Atlantic Canada-wide talent search, will have seen contestants from across four Atlantic provinces for a chance to perform in front of Foster and his panel of judges at the Crescendo talent showcase on March 28 at Casino Nova Scotia.
The David Foster Foundation was founded in 1986. It provides financial and emotional support to families in need of life-saving organ transplants.
Ovation contestants are between the ages of 14 and 29.
This is the first time Charlottetown has hosted an Ovation event. It was hosted by Liz Rigney of CTV.
Contest judges B.J. Cook, Paul Alan and Lennie Gallant, in the spirit of Canadian Idol, commented after each performance.
Cook said Adams made a really good choice in music.
"I love your voice. You've got one of those really distinctive voices."
Gallant told Adams he thought she was singing from somewhere deep down inside.
"There are a lot of kids out there who are doing amazing things," he said after the event.
Cook said of all the events she had attended so far across Canada, the Charlottetown contestants were the most confident.
"The 14-year-olds amaze me. These kids inspire me."
Contestants often choose music by artists Foster has worked with in the music world to make an impression, she said.
"That's been the downfall of many of them -- bad song choices."
Some contestants used their own music.
Alan said the level of writing has changed.
"Everyone has the talent."
Cook added people think the ballad is going to move the judges and audience.
"You sort of have to gauge by personality."
When Cook announced Adams' name, the nurse/vocalist was shocked and surprised. She was involved with music for many of her younger years. Her parents kept notes from family newsletters mailed out over time, she said.
"I always said I was going to be a rock star."
While she pursued a career in nursing in recent years, she put her music on the side. Recently, while on maternity leave,she took it up again. Entering the Ovation event was part of the move to rekindle the passion.
"I just wanted to keep going."
Adams loves all kinds of music, naming Billie Holiday, Etta James and Janis Joplin as favourites. Music is a big part of who she is, she said.
"I chase the undeniable force."