Pennsylvania teen performs tonight

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WILLIAMSPORT - Step aside Joe Jonas - there's a new Central Pennsylvania heartthrob in town.

Aaron Kelly, a native of Sonestown - about 25 miles northeast of Williamsport - has been moving up the "American Idol" ladder for weeks, and tonight he is set to compete as one of the top 16 contestants for the show's ninth season.

"Music is my passion," the 16-year-old said on his MySpace page. "I've been singing since (I was) 9 years old. I started out singing wherever I could and I really enjoy the connection I get with the fans."

And talk about fans: Kelly's MySpace page has had 208,293 profile views and his Web site, aaronkellymusic.com, has reached 76,216 hits.

So, what's to love about this small-town guy, who has been dubbed the "Shy Guy" of the season?

"I love everything about you," said American Idol judge Randy Jackson, moments before Kelly was told he would be one of 12 men in the lineup. "I love the fact that you're 16, you're shy and that voice comes out of somebody that shy."

Kelly responded: "This day represents, for me, just all that I've learned on my journey."

Kelly received four yes votes that evening - one from each of the season's judges, which this year includes longtime regulars Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Jackson, along with newcomer Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Abdul's replacement.

He also was unanimously given a Golden Ticket to Hollywood during his audition in Orlando, Fla.

DioGuardi noticed Kelly's natural ability during his first performance and told the singer he had "a lot of potential," following his rendition of Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful."

And even though he forgot the lyrics during Group Day, while singing The Temptations' "Get Ready," and again missed a line in Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" on Day 3, the judges saw through his nervousness.

During Judgment Day, after walking the long hall to the judges' platform at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, DeGeneres asked Kelly how the week's been going.

"It's been really exciting," he said. The hardest part, he added, was group week.

"But you still love doing it," DeGeneres said. "You can see that and you're a good guy, you can see that, too. That's nice to see and I think a lot of people at home are going to like seeing that, too. You made it through."

She couldn't be more right. Although home is a lot of places to Kelly - he's lived in Orlando and Nashville with his aunt, Kelly Kelly, who adopted him at 8 months old - his heart remains in the Sonestown area; at least that's where he's left a huge mark.

"It's awesome, it's unbelievable, it's really hard to take in," said a family friend, Sue Stiger of Muncy. "He's well-deserving of it ... especially at 16."

Stiger said Kelly's aunt, Kim Kiess, along with her daughter, Katlyn, met him at the door when he received his Golden Ticket in Orlando. Stiger said the women were speechless when Kelly appeared with the ticket.

"Ryan Seacrest had his arm around Kim and when she finally realized what was going on, she started screaming and jumping."

Kelly's talent, she said, is all natural.

The "Legend in the Works," as he's become known by some, has performed at benefit concerts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other worthwhile causes for victims of hardship.

Aside from that, he's been a star at local county fairs. Kelly performed at age 14 during the 137th Lycoming County Fair - ironically with 2006 "American Idol" runner-up Bucky Covington. Information released by fair officials said Kelly's "wide range of vocal ability was reminiscent to Michael Jackson during the early Jackson 5 years." At 15, he also performed at the Sullivan County Fair.

Stiger says he's always had his mind set on something bigger.

"This is the first attempt that he made to do something," she said. "Everybody told him how good he was, and I think that's what really did it for him."

While area residents will have a chance to watch Kelly as he performs on television tonight, Sentinel readers will soon have an opportunity of their own to see another "American Idol" act in concert later this month.

Rock recording artists Daughtry are set to perform at 7:30 p.m. March 31 at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. Readers can look for their chance to win one of two pairs of tickets for the show through the "Who's Going Home: American Idol" contest - see the Saturday, March 13, edition of The Sentinel for more details.