VOA标准英语2015--流行音乐明星托里·凯利一夜成名

Tori Kelly Ready for Pop Music Stardom

Singer-songwriter Tori Kelly is on the verge¹ of a huge breakthrough.  Her recent performances on the Billboard² and BET Awards shows have created a buzz in pop music. 

You couldn’t call Kelly an overnight success.  Sure she’s only 22, and she is managed by Scooter Braun – the same man who ignited the careers of pop superstars Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.  But Kelly has been working towards pop stardom – and honing her songwriting and singing chops – for more than a decade now.  

The Southern California girl first appeared in public on the talent show "Star Search" when she was only 10.  But her real exposure came from posting videos on YouTube.  She gained recognition for her cover with another YouTuber Angie Girl of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout³ You.”

Eventually Kelly made her way to "American Idol," and advanced through to the Hollywood round.  But she did not make the Top 24.  That loss inspired her to write more of her own material, which eventually became part of her first EP “Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly.” On that, she played many of the instruments and produced the tracks.

“Even just releasing music in general is an accomplishment⁴.  And the fact that I get to put out a whole album of songs that I just put my whole heart into, and people are responding really well to it," she said. "It’s like the best feeling in the world.   Because these are songs about my life so it’s kind of like I’m just throwing myself out there and people are in to it.  So it’s really cool to be able to do what I love.”

"Handmade Songs" sold well enough to reach the top 10 on a number of music charts. She followed that success with live performances at clubs in Los Angeles, and by opening for larger acts like Jewel and Ed Sheeran.  

Recently, Kelly electrified⁵ audiences at the Billboard Music Awards with her performance of an acoustic⁶ version of her song “Nobody Love.”  And then at the BET Awards, a version of Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Lovin’ You” that had R&B crooner John Legend tweeting that Kelly’s was the “vocal performance of the night.”

The singer-songwriter says that being within reach of her goal is amazing, and something she dreamed of her whole life.

“I think all the awards shows I have done so far have just been so surreal," she said. "Like, I always dreamed of being on different awards shows, sitting at home on my couch and watching. I think as a kid I just always put myself on that stage, and the fact that it’s actually happening, that I get to be a part of these shows is incredible.”

Kelly released her first full-length album, “Unbreakable Smile” in June.  Max Martin – who produces Kelly Clarkson, Pink, and Ellie Goulding – helped produce the CD, which debuted⁷ on the Billboard 200 at No. 2.

Her single “Should’ve Been Us” is also rising on the Billboard Hot 100.

1 verge   

n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• She was on the verge of bursting into tears.她快要哭出来了。

2 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

3 bout   

n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛

参考例句：

• I was suffering with a bout of nerves.我感到一阵紧张。
• That bout of pneumonia enfeebled her.那次肺炎的发作使她虚弱了。

4 accomplishment   

n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能

参考例句：

• The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。

5 electrified   

v.使电气化( electrify的过去式和过去分词 )；使兴奋

参考例句：

• The railway line was electrified in the 1950s. 这条铁路线在20世纪50年代就实现了电气化。
• The national railway system has nearly all been electrified. 全国的铁路系统几乎全部实现了电气化。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 acoustic   

adj.听觉的，声音的；(乐器)原声的

参考例句：

• The hall has a fine acoustic.这个大厅的传音效果很好。
• Animals use a whole rang of acoustic, visual,and chemical signals in their systems of communication.动物利用各种各样的听觉、视觉和化学信号来进行交流。

7 debuted   

初次表演，初次登台（debut的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• In late 2003 a full-size SUV, the Pathfinder Armada, debuted. 2003年末，全尺寸SUV的探路者无敌舰队，推出。
• The album debuted at number two and quickly went platinum. 专辑一亮相就荣登排行榜第二名，很快就取得了白金销量。