There’s that word again – prodigy. What does it really mean? Well, I found one definition that explains it well. “AÂ person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities.” When reading that definition most might think it describes just about every young musician. However, a second definition helps us bring the numbers down to a select few. “An impressive or outstanding example of a particular quality. An amazing or unusual thing, especially one out of the ordinary course of nature.” Now as we look at the three definitions it will give us the idea that the prodigy is very special or extraordinary. For this week the question has to revolve around featured artist Olivia Ooms. Is she a musical prodigy?
First, it might be good for all of you to know about Olivia Ooms. She is an actor, singer, songwriter and dancer from Huntington Beach, California.  She has been seen performing her blend of pop-country in many places such as Coastal Country Jam opening for Lady Antebellum and Old Dominion, the Troubador in London, the Hard Rock Café in LA, Surf City Nights, The Gaslamp, The Queen Mary, the OC Fair and in front of over 4000 military families at the Snowball Express in Dallas, Texas. Oh yes, I forgot to mention she is fifteen years old.
Olivia Ooms is not the first young artist Weekly Music Commentary has featured. In fact, we have featured a few other fifteen year old artists. Almost every time a very young artist is featured, the word “prodigy” always comes up. Are every one of the young artists a prodigy? Not always. At least not according to our definitions discussed at the beginning of this post. However, the question today is about young Olivia Ooms. Let’s look at more about her.
Olivia is affiliated with a new Radio Disney division called RDYou for emerging unsigned teen artists. She also has become known for her National Anthem performances both U.S. and Canadian (in French) becoming sought after on the Air Show Circuit. She is lead singer in a band “Olivia Ooms and the Resistors”, actively involved in her Performing Arts Magnet Program (Pop Music and technology) at her High School.
I must stop right here and think about what I just wrote. Olivia Ooms is still a high school student! Now, I have read many things about young artists, but I can’t remember an active high school student performing and recording this extensively. Again, this might be one of those things that is extraordinary about this young artist. There is more.
Olivia’s favorite events are those which help raise money for children in need and she embraces every opportunity to share her love of Country music and connect with the world through her live performances. Olivia’s goals include but are not limited to performing at various festivals and music events around the United States, signing and working with a major record label and opening for established artists as she works to become an established artist herself. In her free time, Olivia dedicates herself to helping the environment and community through performances on behalf of COA Community Outreach Alliance, beach cleanups and volunteering at the Alzheimer’s Center. “Double O” is upbeat, dedicated, talented, dependable, sometimes sassy and always classy!
Many have had great things to say about Olivia Ooms first recordings. As I listened early on I did not read anything about her in order to not form opinions. It was helpful, because I did not want to think about her age, or her place of origin as I listened. What I heard was a very good young artist with great material (songs). I thought young Olivia was ready for the big stage of country music. Then I learned she was fifteen years old. After that I watched the video for the song “Thoughts of you”. After that I knew she was a special artist.
Olivia explained how it all began for her. She spoke freely when asked about her mentor, “Debbie Gibson was a huge mentor to me in the early stages of developing my career. She was a young artist just like me and she helped me with vocal development and understanding that it’s important to stay true to myself and enjoy my childhood.” Debbie Gibson would be an excellent mentor for a young artist. Many of us remember her time recording and performing as a young artist. Olivia Ooms could easily grasp much about the business of music and so much more. Her music should be personal and speak about her life right now. She spoke further, “As a young artist, I felt these songs set a basis for my sound and life as a teenage girl growing up and going to a public high school. Although these songs highlight my life as I’m going through crushes and my view on the world, people of all ages and genders can relate to the lyrics of these songs.”
So far Olivia’s career is just starting to roll, but there have been some memorable events already. She spoke of one, “performing onstage with country music legend, Tanya Tucker, closing out her concert with “Delta Dawn,” which was her smash hit when she was about my age.” There will be a lot more to come. One goal of hers is to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. I think it might happen in time. We’ll see.
Of course, if you want to stay connected with Olivia Ooms, you can always follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I encourage you to download or stream her new EP Thoughts of you.
Therefore I go back to the question I asked in the title of this post. Is Olivia Ooms a musical prodigy? I’ll leave it open and let you readers decide.