Carolyn Messina

Published 9/28/2009

Singer/songwriter Carolyn Messina of Fairfield, New Jersey, was named a Finalist in Jersey Idol - an American Idol-style music competition that benefits St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center.

At the encouragement of family and friends, Messina auditioned at Starmaker Studios in Clinton. She performed an original song, "The Fall," which she wrote as a tribute to her brother-in-law, Michael Sorresse, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Messina has been playing piano since age 4, guitar since she was 10, and singing since "before she can remember." At 38-years old, she is finally pursuing her dream of being a singer/songwriter, is self-producing her first CD, and singing at coffeehouses and clubs throughout the NY/NJ Metro Area.

"I’ve been taking writing workshops for several months with folksinger Ina May Wool," explained Messina. "The songs I’ve been writing seem to touch so many different people - especially the song I wrote about 9/11. Everybody can relate to that song - whether you lost somebody, or knew someone who lost somebody."

Messina performed the "The Fall" for the first time on September 10, 2009, at the Christopher Street Coffeehouse in NYC, a monthly Open Mic hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church. "The reaction I got, especially from the pastor, Lyndon Harris, was something I’ll never forget," explained Messina. "Pastor Harris got up from his seat in the pews after I performed, walked up to me, hugged me, and thanked me."

Messina later learned that Rev. Harris had been previously assigned to St. Paul’s Chapel, a few blocks from Ground Zero; and for eight months, St. Paul’s became a refuge to firefighters, workers, heavy-equipment operators, and police officers. Open 24 hours a day, St. Paul’s served more than a half million meals. Counselors, musicians, and an untold number of volunteers from around the world helped.

In the words of Messina’s song, "New York City, Pennsylvania, Washington DC. Across the Nation, ’round the world, we all fell to our knees. East to west and in between, each and every one has seen a loved one lost on that day. And the pain of it all hurts as much today. Cause the pain of the fall feels like yesterday."

Jersey Idol Finals will be held at The Crossroads in Garwood on October 3 at Noon. Doors Open at 11:30 AM. Each of the finalists will perform one song at the finals. Messina will be performing the same 9/11 Tribute Song, "The Fall."

As Jersey Idol is a charity event to support St. Hubert’s, all proceeds from ticket sales support the costs of food and necessary medical care for homeless animals. Tickets to be in the audience of the finals are only $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can also be purchased on our website: www.jerseyidol.weebly.com and then a list of the guests should be emailed to jerseyidol@gmail.com so they may be added to the list. No paper tickets will be issued. - The Alternative Press