Rachel McClusky (Record Release) - Guest - Guest

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Rachel McClusky has a passion and talent for making art that "helps people connect. I want to help people through situations by writing music that they can relate to."

McClusky knows just how a song or uplifting melody can make a difference. Even at 18, she has a maturity that outpaces her years, and has used music to transcend personal experiences. "Music was the only thing I could rely on, the only thing that made sense through

This translates to a pop approach that reflects some of McClusky’s most valued influences. She admires Taylor Swift's songwriting and Beyoncé’s vocal stylings. However, her style is all her own - honest and direct in its mix of lyric and melody.

On her self-released EP “Beleave Me,” McClusky points to the songs "Secret Crush" and "Yesterday" as representative of her sound and style. “Secret Crush” speaks to the confusion of love in the teenage years. “Maybe you think you love someone, but it's tough to figure out. There's the tension of being stuck on an old love when a new love comes into play," says McClusky.

But for her, love extends to surprising places. Her song "Be a Fan" was chosen as the theme song for the 2010 U.S. Special Olympics National Games. She performed the song for 15,000 people at the opening and closing ceremonies in Lincoln, Nebraska. "I've volunteered with Special Olympics since I was 6, and this song expresses everything I feel about why these athletes are so remarkable," McClusky says.

With a growing presence on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, McClusky has her sights set on taking her music to a whole new level. Especially with her single “Secret Crush” being featured in the Disney film “Prom” and her first full-length album being released fall of 2011.