After American Idol on Tuesday night, April 5th 2005, we watched Monday's Oprah Winfrey Show. Once again, as I always say, thank God for TiVo.

American Idol judge Simon Cowell was Oprah's guest along with five budding world-class performers.

The Power of Oprah

Four are a new group, discovered by Simon, after a worldwide search called Il Divo.

Simon introduced them as Herst from Switzerland, Sebastian from France, David from America, and Carlos from Spain.

Niki, our seven year old, said after learning that Tim had already ordered the CD, "Can you put it on my iPod, Daddy?"

Oprah said after their performance, I don't know what they were singing [Italian], but that gave me goose bumps.

What we do know is that Oprah has the power. As a result of Il Divo's debut we shared their CD with our global community and in one day sold 43 copies in our marketplace.

Joss Stone's "Oprah" Debut

One of our Top Ten favorite artists right now, Joss Stone, also made her debut on The Oprah Winfrey Show this past Monday.

Oprah first met Joss Stone at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards, which she co-hosted with Tom Cruise.

Tom Cruise has been a long-time fan of Joss Stone. Probably not as long as us, but at the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Concert, he certainly sang her praises.

Tom introduced Joss. Oprah was blown away. And the rest is history.

Only Joss didn't believe it at first that Oprah was honestly going to invite her on her show.

That she did, and as expected, Joss likely won over every single person in Oprah's audience that day, as well as the millions watching.

In addition to being loved by Simon, Oprah and Tom, she is also already loved by the likes of Melissa Etheridge and Elton John.

Melissa Etheridge called Joss "the next big thing." "Yes, she is soulful like Aretha Franklin. Yes, she is rock and roll like Janis Joplin. Yes,

Elton John called her voice as soulful as any you'll hear in the world. He called their performance on stage together "magical."

At the age of fourteen, Joss won the prestigious Star Search competition in England.

At the age of sixteen, she recorded her first CD, one of our favorites, called Mind, Body & Soul.

You Had Me was the song she chose for her barefoot debut on Oprah.

For those who know Joss, and all of you should, wouldn't you love to see Joss go up against Carrie, Nadia, Vonzell, Constantine, Bo, Anwar, Nikko, Scott and Anthony?!

Now there's an idea: The winners of all the Star Search competitions go up against one another. Fantasia against Kelly against Ruben against Joss...

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "debut" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC