Local couple out of duet competition

BY VANESSA MCCRAY
vmccray@record-eagle.com

June 30, 2009 07:17 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- Judges on CMT's country music competition "Can You Duet" gave the boot-scoot-boogie to a pair of contestants with local roots.

Chelsee Oaks, 22, and Rob Bolin, 22, were eliminated June 27 in the second episode of the TV talent competition. The duo, who call Traverse City home but now live in Nashville, competed against four other duos on episode, which will be replayed throughout the week. Also eliminated was Harmon Creek. Safe for now are the duos O'Shea, Steel Magnolia and The Stellas.

Videos from the episode posted online show Oaks and Bolin performing "Boondocks" by Little Big Town in a segment that also showed Bolin cooking up sizzling hot dogs at his job.

"We don't really have a lot, but we have each other, and we have our music. I think that's really all that we need," Oaks said, in a taped interview in which she also mentions Traverse City.

Bolin played guitar, and Oaks stomped confidently across the stage in sky-high heels as judges Naomi Judd, Big Kenny and record executive Scott Borchetta looked on.

"Great job," said Borchetta, following their performance. "Very interesting take on a very well-known song."

"Ya'll are phenomenal," said Big Kenny, who advised them to tighten up the vocals but praised the duo for their progress.

Judd called Oaks "a star."

"You almost have perfect pitch, has anybody ever told you that?" Judd asked.

"No, and you're the best person to hear it from," a laughing Oaks responded.

Judd said the duo was "lopsided," but added Bolin has "a very interesting voice."

At elimination time, Oaks and Bolin were one of two duos sent home.

"... We're just really grateful for this opportunity. We've got experts telling us what we should improve in, so we're very thankful for having this opportunity, and it's quite an honor to be playing in front of all you people," Bolin told the host.

Oaks and Bolin are scheduled to return to Traverse City to perform at the National Cherry Festival on July 10. The duo will open for Sammy Kershaw.

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