HCTCs Leslie Strong plays with Keith Urban

Picture caption: Leslie Strong performed with country superstar Keith Urban in Nashville. Congratulating her are faculty members of HCTC s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. On left is Dean Osborne, director and Curtis Burch, on right.

It was an exciting day for Leslie Strong of Lotts Creek when she shared her musical talent on guitar with country superstar Keith Urban on Wednesday, Jan. 25 for the second time!

19-year-old Leslie Strong is enrolled in HCTC s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. This is the third semester for this Cordia High School graduate.

When she was in high school, she played with Urban at Rupp Arena when he pulled her out of the crowd, following prompting from her friends who were well aware of her tremendous talent.

This time, she was one of two fans picked by Urban to play with him at a party celebrating his number one single, Long Hot Summer.

It was really professional but really laid back at the same time. He's one of the nicest people I've ever met. Everyone he surrounds himself with are incredibly nice and I was just really fortunate that they allowed me to do what I did, Strong said.

She s enjoyed reading comments posted on Facebook. It s like people have adopted me and it s pretty cool, she said.

Dean Osborne, Director of HCTC s Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music, said Leslie is one of the new era young musicians. She brings a variety of influences into her music and in doing so, is creating quite a niche for herself in the music world. With her very strong (no pun intended) work ethic, her future is very bright, he said.

Osborne enjoyed watching his student on stage. She gave the appearance of someone who had been playing with Keith Urban for years. She exhibited a high level of showmanship and musical ability.

Expect to hear from Leslie Strong in the future. After graduation, she hopes to move to Nashville and pursue a career as a musician. In the immediate future, she will be playing in the region with the music school.

Her parents are Donnie and Lisa Strong.

Visit You Tube to see Leslie in action with Keith Urban at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co5pKuJNXjA