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From Applebee's to Idol

By SEAN DALY
Published February 17, 2006

Tampa's Melissa McGhee used to spend her Wednesday nights crooning karaoke at her neighborhood Applebee's. A rib-chomping audience and big dreams were enough to keep her going.

Now McGhee, who attended Tampa's Sickles High School, will spend next Wednesday night in front of a slightly bigger audience: the more than 30-million people who watch American Idol, Fox's reality smash and the No. 1 show in the country.

In a whiplash-inducing turn of events that has left the 21-year-old musician giddy and grateful, McGhee, who was born and raised in Tampa and still calls the bay area home, was welcomed into the final group of 24 contestants - 12 men, 12 women - on Wednesday's show.

She's having a hard time comprehending the potential parameters of her success. And she's having the time of her life.

"Holy crap!" McGhee said, laughing, during a phone interview Thursday. "Someone wake me up from this dream!"

Until now, McGhee has had to please only judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell. But next week, McGhee will be at the mercy of Idol viewers, who will have the power to vote for their favorites via phone or text messaging.

"I think right now my chances (of winning) are pretty good," said McGhee, who honed her chops singing in amateur hours at such local hangouts as Carrollwood's Green Parrot. "I think I have a totally different sound."

[Last modified February 17, 2006, 10:29:34]