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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2006 > September > 15 > Entry
9/15: Vanessa Olivarez in concert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Season two finalist and local gal Vanessa Olivarez has put together a new band, a country leaning group called South 70. The group debuted last night at Virginia Highland’s grungy basement 10High before more than 100 new fans. I caught most of the concert and was deeply impressed. Vanessa can do country well and the band had a bit of Sugarland to them. Their drummer in fact is Simone Simonton, who drummed on Sugarland’s first CD. Rock violinist Bobby Yang is in the group, along wth bassist Greg Lee, electric guiatrist Jeff Gardner and singer/guitarist Geoff Reid.
Vanessa, you may recall, was the hair colorist who Simon criticized for being too heavy. She responded with grace and humor while Ruben got a pass. She was ousted the first week of the final 12. Three years later, she remains a sweet, charming presence.
I forgot to bring a camera last night but here’s a shot of her from the show:
Donna Scharf, a fan, sent me a shot of her singing Thursday night at 10High:
My colleague at the AJC, Holly Crenshaw, wrote a nice piece about the band for their Web site at www.south70.com. You can hear three of their songs there. Among my favorites from last night: “Crooked Creek Bridge,” “Adios LA” and “Two Lane Road,” which was apparently the original name of the group but another group said they couldn’t share the name.
Comments
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By Carla
September 15, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Vanessa was always sweet and I thought she left too soon. She indeed gets the last laugh. Congrats to her and her band.
By shay
September 15, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
I think Vanessa should have lasted a lot longer. Definitely, longer than Corey Clark and some others.
By mystique
September 15, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
I just don’t remember her at all. But good luck to them!
By mystique
September 15, 2006 1:15 PM | Link to this
I just can’t place this girl at all. But good luck to her and the band!!
By Jex
September 15, 2006 1:19 PM | Link to this
NO idea of who she is. But good for her.
By Wanda
September 15, 2006 1:45 PM | Link to this
She is the one who posed nude for PETA. She had different colored hair each week I think. Sweet girl. She has done some theatre since Idol.
By shay
September 15, 2006 2:46 PM | Link to this
She posed nude for PET milk. Got Milk?? What??? Ooops, my bad. You said PETA. Ignore me, wrong blog. Sorry!! I thought you said PET.
I was going to say, what has happened to the world. It used to be the little kid talking to the bigger sibling about being strong when they grow up from drinking all their milk, and now you have the girls posing nude to sell milk.
By Carla
September 15, 2006 2:52 PM | Link to this
Milk???