Kane County resident among the top semi-finalists in the running for a chance to sing alongside a Grammy-nominated artist

ST. CHARLES – Maureen Christine of St. Charles was overjoyed upon hearing the news that she had been selected as one of 20 semi-finalists for a chance to perform alongside two-time Grammy-nominated artist Jim Brickman.

Brickman has collaborated with some of the music industry’s top talents including but not limited to Kenny Rodgers, Olivia Newton-John, Lady A (formally known as Lady Antebellum), and more.

“So, what intrigued me first of all I really respect Jim Brickman. I love him as an artist and the songs that he’s written and his piano playing and what intrigued me about the competition was that you have to be 40 years old or older in order to participate. A lot of these current competitions like American Idol and The Voice are really for younger people,” said Christine.

The competition known as Brickman’s Big Break is using an online voting format to narrow the number of contestants down to the final top 10 with only one individual eventually being chosen to appear on Brickman’s “LIVE Stream Christmas Show” as well as record a song with him and receive other perks.

“It’s all about putting the spotlight on Gen-Xers and Baby Boomers. A chance to help realize your true musical potential for success, and get expert coaching from seasoned entertainment experts,” Brickman wrote on his website.

Christine is only one of two contestants from Illinois, though it is no surprise that she has come this far in the competition seeing as she has been singing since she was 7 years old.

“I started singing professionally at the age of 14 where I was getting paid to do gigs, little gigs. So, that sort of kind of validated things. I started my own band when I was 16. I’ve opened for Helen Reddy and for the country artist Willie Nelson. I’ve sung for astronaut Buzz Aldrin who is the second astronaut in the world to touch down on the moon and I have two CDs that have been released nationally,” Christine told My Huntley News. “I’ve received a Grammy consideration for my first CD, ‘My Romance,’ and [was] in the same category as Harry Connick Jr.”

Christine says she was heartbroken when the pandemic shut down venues for singers as she found it awkward to perform virtually due to the lack of audience feedback.

However, she has used that time away from the stage to work on her musical talents and sees Brickman’s Big Break as bringing back some sense of normalcy.

“It makes me feel excited and what I really felt in the last couple of days is incredibly grateful because it’s based on votes and so I had reached out to some people online [and appreciate] not just the people that voted for me, but the kind comments, the words of encouragement have really touched my heart unbelievably,” said Christine. “So, whatever happens, I am just uplifted by the kindness of people that have been supporting me in the last few days. It’s been amazing.”

Online voting is open until Sep. 27 with one vote being accepted per email address. The top 10 finalists will be announced on Oct. 21.

Christine hopes that residents continue to support her as a local artist not just through the competition, but through the live concerts she does throughout Kane County.

To vote for Christine, individuals can visit jimbrickman.com/brickmans-big-break-voting/.

For more information about Christine and her performances, visit maureenchristine.com or search her name on YouTube.