L-W Central Grad Mixes Music With a Message

Meet Caitlyn Stoeckley. She’s a New Lenox resident and Lincoln-Way Central High School grad who’s currently a senior at Bradley in Peoria. She’s finishing up her degree in public relations, but she’s also in the middle of a potentially life-changing experience that will help her build a relationship with the public.

Caitlyn is competing in WBGL Radio’s Opening Act 2011 contest. The first part of the grand prize is to perform one song before the Matthew West and Josh Wilson concert on March 18 (Caitlyn will sing “Drifter” by Decemberadio if she’s selected). The second part is a three-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville to meet with representatives of the EMI Christian Music Group, which describes itself on its website as “the market leader in the field of recorded music, distribution, and music publishing.”

From the time she was little, Caitlyn has been singing and dancing, first around the house and later at her church, Lincolnway Christian in New Lenox. Yet it really doesn’t matter what or where she’s singing; Caitlyn believes she’s serving God in all those moments.

“You never know when someone is watching who needs to hear the lyrics that are coming out of my mouth,” she said.

“The coolest thing about performing is feeling like I’m being used as a medium for change in a person’s day, or maybe life. That’s a God-thing,” she added.

When she’s not singing, she’s still developing her God-given gifts and talents. Circles is the four-track demo of her original songs currently available on iTunes. In conjunction with her studies, she works for several radio stations in Peoria doing both voiceover and promotional projects.

ELven though she's connected to multiple radio stations in central Illinois, it wasn’t until a friend from church forwarded Opening Act information to her mom, and her mom submitted one of her songs that she got involved with the contest.

“A friend from home called to tell me she heard my name on the radio!” Caitlyn said. “That was very exciting!”

“I have an incredible support system in everyone around me. My family has been to pretty much every performance of mine since I started out, and my dad has the home video to prove it,” she added.

Her fans--old and new--are currently logging their votes (up to 30 per week, per IP address) on the contest website to help Caitlyn win. The real blessing, though, is that Caitlyn knows the difference between performing and worship.

“I love worship because it’s not a show,” she said. “It’s something personal, even when you’re onstage for a big crowd to see.”

Her pastor, Dr. Jeff Robinson of Lincolnway Christian Church, agrees.

“Caitlyn knows who she is as a daughter of her heavenly Father and has used her vocal talents to serve her Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Her sweet witness comes from her personality and strength of family and faith in Jesus,” he said.

To hear Caitlyn’s contest entry and vote for her, click here.

Opening Act Finale Concert With Matthew West and Josh Wilson

When: 7 p.m. Friday, March 18. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Compass Church, 1551 Hobson Road, Naperville
Cost: $12 online; $15 at the door.