Knowing Susan Boyle

Millions around the world have heard her voice and seen her perform at Britain’s Got Talent and even more at YouTube. News and commentary have been written and published about her across the globe, both from traditional media and across blogosphere.

Here are some quick facts about Susan Boyle.

1. She was born in 1961. Same as me. And 1961 is the Year of the Ox. Supposedly, our year too!

2. Her care and attention for her mother put her pursuit of singing to a stop. Her mother died in 2007 at the age of 91

3. Pebbles is the name of her ten-year old cat.

4. One British writer from “The Sun” Colin Robertson had called Susan Boyle "Paula Potts." This is in reference to Paul Potts who also rose to fame a couple of years ago. In fact, Chief recalls first hearing Paul Pott’s voice last December 2005 when we were in Olwen Abergas’ home in New York. Now, I remember that too!

5. At 48, she is the youngest of nine children and lived in the same home all her life.

6. She is not really new in the music industry as she has recorded a charity CD in 1999. The song Susan Boyle recorded was a version of "Cry Me a River. This CD was produced at a school in Whitburn, West Lothian in 1999. How many copies? Reports say, only 1,000 copies.

7. A contract is brewing with Simon Cowell’s Syco Music company label. That is definitely a hit in the making. And wont be surprised if she makes an appearance in American Idol!

8. “Never been kissed?” She says that was just a joke.

9. She announced from the stage her dream was to be like West End star Elaine Paige.

10. She is a devout Catholic.