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Wednesday, November 27, 2002

By Maria Carpico, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Comparisons are already being drawn between Brittany Mulgrew and another hometown girl, Christina Aguilera.

	North Hills High School senior Brittany Mulgrew recorded a CD as her senior project, and is selling a single from the album to benefit the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund. (Bob Donaldson, Post-Gazette) Audio Sample Listen to a sample of Mulgrew singing "Only When I Close My Eyes." (603K MP3) Download MP3 players at: Real Player Windows Media Player WinAMP

Both are singers who grew up in the northern suburbs, have similar vocal styles and have gotten airplay on local radio station WBZZ B-94.

One thing that separates the 17-year-old Mulgrew from Aguilera -- and that other Britney -- is an understated perspective on her own talent.

When her song won a local radio contest, no one was more surprised than Mulgrew. "I didn't expect it at all," said Mulgrew, who writes her own music and lyrics.

A senior at North Hills High School, Mulgrew independently issued a CD single titled "Only When I Close My Eyes" as part of her senior project.

On Halloween night, she and the other North Hills High School cheerleaders went to the WBZZ-FM studios to take part in Thursday Night Live, a radio segment that has school groups introduce top songs.

Mulgrew took advantage of meeting music director and evening disc jockey Adam Bomb to give him a copy of her CD. She had no idea that he would listen to it and give her music a chance.

Bomb played the song on the station's Battle of the Wannabes segment, a show that usually pits established acts against each other and allows the listening audience to choose a winner. Listeners call in their votes during a 15-minute window.

"We get between 50 to 200 calls in those 15 minutes," Bomb said. If a song wins four nights in a row, it is retired as the champion, but that's no guarantee that the station will add the winning song to its playlist.

Mulgrew's song won by a landslide the four nights it was played on the Battle of the Wannabes. It beat out the likes of Nick Carter, Fat Joe featuring singer Ginuwine, Kelly Osborne and Iyssis.

Because the station rarely plays local talent, will listeners be hearing Mulgrew's song on the radio?

"It's an odd situation because she's not signed to a record company," said Bomb, who plans to send the CD to record labels.

Mulgrew currently is selling her CD locally and is donating all proceeds to the Children's Hospital Free Care Fund.

The Ross resident began playing the piano at age 5. "When I was little, I knew I wanted to be a performer," she said. She named Whitney Houston as an influence but does not like the pop music image that surrounds Britney Spears.

"I am still trying to establish what genre of music I want to get into. I am staying away from the pop icon like Britney. I think an artist who writes her own music gets more respect," said Mulgrew, who uses the name B.L. Mulgrew as a singer to avoid association with Spears.

Mulgrew surprised herself and her parents, Terry and Nicholeen, when she found her musical voice. "We were shocked, to be honest," said her father, who admits to not being musically inclined. Mulgrew began taking voice lessons three years ago and soon after that sang the national anthem during a WPIAL championship football game at Three Rivers Stadium.

Mulgrew writes from personal experience in a variety of styles but believes that songs such as "Only When I Close My Eyes" are her forte. "I like to write all kinds of music, but ballads come easier when I am playing the piano," she said.

Mulgrew wants to pursue a career in the music industry and recently auditioned for admission to Duquesne University's Mary Pappert School of Music. She wants to major in vocal performance with a minor in piano.

"I definitely want a career [in the music industry], and college is my backup plan," she said.

In the meantime, she will continue to perform with the North Hills High School symphonic and madrigal choirs and take part in the spring musical.

"Only When I Close My Eyes" by Brittany Mulgrew is available for $5 at Monte Cello's on Babcock Boulevard and Dean Diamond Importers on McKnight Road, both in Ross.