By Kalee Iacoangeli, OU Student Writer

OU’s Friday Night Live and the new Saturday Night Sounds series bring to campus some of the top comedic and vocal talent from throughout the United States. The last Saturday Night Sounds event featured two of OU’s own, homegrown talents, one of whom has worked her way into the national spotlight.

Tamara Bedricky, a 2003 OU graduate, has spent the past year touring the country and jumpstarting her career by performing with artists such as Michelle Branch, Graham Colton and Ari Hest. She was chosen as one of five up-and-coming artists in the PANTENE Pro-Voice Music Competition and has performed in New York City’s Central Park and at the 2003 Detroit Music Awards.

Bedricky has performed at many colleges and clubs across the United States, but said returning to Oakland was one of the best experiences she has had.

“This was probably the best college crowd I have ever played for,” Bedricky said. “Everything was really put together, and the audience was really responsive. It was great.”

Warming up the audience before Bedricky’s performance was OU freshman Tom Butwin, who seriously started to pursue music in the seventh grade, when he switched from taking piano lessons to learning how to play the guitar.

“I wanted to get away from the more classical style of music and get into something a little more fun,” Butwin said of his decision to take up guitar.

Making the transition from classical music to a more modern-inspired tone has opened new opportunities for Butwin’s musical career. He regularly plays at Bella’s Coffeehouse in Auburn Hills, while accompanied by a saxophone and bass player.

“I want to take this as far as it can go,” Butwin said. “This is what I hope to live off of.”

The final Saturday Night Sounds concert of the semester is March 27, featuring musician Jason Levasseur, who was recognized as the National Association for Campus Activities’ Music Artist of The Year and Best Small Venue Performer in 2002 by “Campus Activities Magazine.” He also has performed on stage with big name artists, such as the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, The Wallflowers, Widespread Panic and Vertical Horizon.

LeVasseur was born in the United States, but spent much of his youth in Mexico and Belgium. He also has studied French, Spanish and Italian. This experience has allowed him to create an extremely diverse musical style. His new live album, “The Opening Guy,” features songs from all different venues, ranging from blues to rock to pop. This unique combination has won him tremendous acclaim with audiences throughout the country.