This high school senior has been entertaining audiences for over 13 years. She first performed with her father's band, and currently fronts her own band which performs across the U.S. and internationally. She holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever to perform the National Anthem at famed University of Kentucky's Rupp Arena. When she's not "gigging," this typical American teenager spends time studying, spending time with friends and shopping.

EXCLUSIVE -- ERIKA JO ON TAMIKA AND BEING A 'YOUNG'UN':
Hello all and Happy Easter weekend! I hope you guys enjoy reading these, 'cause I sure enjoy writing them. I read all the message boards and my website scrapbook every day, and I would like to answer a few questions that everyone has.

This week is original songs night. We all are singing originals. I can't wait. I would like to know how everyone feels about them. I'm sure I will see!

Also, there are questions about our wardrobe. We do get to go shopping and pick our own outfits. Thursday is our designated shopping day when we go with the wardrobe stylists who DO help us, but ultimately, we have to be comfortable and give the OK to wear it. I have loved all of my outfits so far! This week I'm changing it up a bit, so you'll have to watch and see.

Also, this whole Tamika vs. Erika Jo, or young'uns vs. the veterans is just nonsense. What everyone saw on the clips was from an interview-type setting (set up by the producer) with us all together talking. However, the comments were not manipulated or edited to make one person or another look bad in any way. They were absolutely for real. It has been a real big issue over here and caused a few problems. It wasn't one contestant in particular who made the comments, it was a few, and I thought that as friends we were past that issue. It almost felt like a personal attack on me and Casey.

I tried to respond and defend myself in the best way possible. I have had to fight this issue all of my life and career and so has Casey. It is actually something that I am comfortable talking about because I can see how it is easy to say that about me. Yes, I am young and I have not had the same experiences that a 33-year-old has, but I am here at 18 and had a lot of experiences that they have not. I have been performing on some sort of stage since I was 2, traveling since I was 5, been doing upwards of 80 dates a year--and have been to 26 different states and even another country three times. I have performed on the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry stage, and been on TV four times before.

The other contestants all have the same amount of prestigious accomplishments and we all deserve to be here. It is an even playing field in my eyes. We are all here for a reason, and that is to prove ourselves worthy of this prize( and have a little fun on the side).

It is all settled now after the show has aired. Over here anyway. I am past it and now know what I have to do. All I can do is just keep going and hope that people continue to like what I do.

Also, through the show, I got to become very close to all of the contestants. Casey and I were closest, I guess because of our age. I know she will do awesome things with her career. We haven't heard the last of her! I love ya Casey! I miss ya very much and can't wait 'til you come back!

I am so excited to still be here and would again like to thank everyone who has voted for me, or shared their kind words. I have gotten all of the e-mails and scrapbook posts. I'm trying to e-mail all of you back. Slowly but surely. I am still on March 20th, but I'm catching up!!! I have had so much fun in all of this.

EXCLUSIVE -- THE REBEL SPEAKS:
"Hey guys!!! It's Erika Jo, or Erika, EJ, Jo Jo, whatever I feel like today!!!! (OK, ALRIGHT ALREADY!!! I'll let it go.) WEEK THREE!!!! I can't believe how much fun it was!!!! Rebels & Outlaws night was a great choice!!! I actually have never performed 'Texas When I Die' before we started rehearsing for the show. I bought the CD and learned it the week before. I love it now. It's one of my favorites, but I guess I'm a little partial being from Texas. Everyone was awesome as usual and I think it was one of our best shows. Charlie Daniels is an awesome guy and very down-to-earth. The really weird thing was after my name was called and I went backstage after my performance, I was already thinking about this week's show. We all were talking about how we're gonna arrange our songs this week and that show wasn't even over yet!!!! We only get so long to prepare for the next song, so we always have to be one step ahead.

"On the next show, we get to sing what we think is our best song or our favorite song. I chose 'Forgive' by Rebecca Lynn Howard, one of the hardest songs to sing, and of course, I am now sick. It started out as strep throat (three others have it too!) and now has gone into like a cold or allergy thing. I don't know. I just hope that it goes away soon!!!! We have done a lot of interviews for the show and a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff this week. I hope you all enjoy it.

"Well, I can't wait until this Tuesday night. Sara Evans is on and that is gonna be awesome. Also, you have to watch till the end for an awesome surprise performance!!!! It's gonna ROCK!!! I want to personally thank each and every person that has voted for me or has stuck up for me. Thanks for being a fan. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I love you all!!!! Sybil.... I mean Erika Jo (Sorry, had to get it in ONE more time!!!) Ha-Ha!!!"

EXCLUSIVE -- ERIKA JO'S WEEK, PLUS IS SHE REALLY 'SCHIZO'?
"This has been the most amazing ride of my life! I have done so much already and it's only the second week!

Everyone is so unique and brings so much to the table--we all blend together great! I couldn't have a better roommate. Miss Jenny Farrell and I have become such great buddies and we do so much together, even away from the show. I have had so much fun through all of this and would just like to share a few of experiences with you. We now have a certain routine that we try to follow:

"Wednesday is our version of Monday, and starts a whirlwind week for us! "Even after the show going so late the night before, we're up and ready for a 10 o'clock call time and filming the 20-second interviews for the spot before our performances.

Thursday is the day reserved for all morning radio, paper, and any other type of interviews. It's also the day I get to do what I think I do best! Go SHOPPING! (Ha, ha!)

"Friday starts rehearsal with the band for our next song on the show. That to me is one of the most fun times. I love those guys, and they are all so great at what they do. I have made great friends with them, and that makes it even easier to do what we need to do.

"Saturday is another day of rehearsals--and just cleaning up anything we need to fix from earlier in the week with interviews and things like that!

"Sunday is our day off. We go to the church across the street for a service; and then those of us with family here go home for a little bit and just hang out. (I love my family and miss them very much, by the way!)

"Monday starts the rehearsals of the show at the Acuff Theater. We have a mock order that we rehearse in. No one but the three main producers know who is going home--until right before the show when they tell the staff. So we all rehearse all week and do the interviews, but we have no idea who's going until right when it's announced live! It's so nerve-wracking! But, that's the name of the game I guess.

"TUESDAY! The BIG day! We come in early again, and rehearse even more. Then we all get hair/makeup and wardrobe. I have to tell you, the ladies who fix us up are just amazing. They don't have much to work with here with me, and when they're done, I sometimes don't even recognize myself. But that's a great thing! They are the best at what they do, but I still feel for them!

"The best part of this whole thing is hearing my name called on national television and getting to sing at least one more time. Even if it is just for a little over a minute, it's worth every second to be able to do what I love and share it with everyone. I hope that everyone enjoyed my performance this week and will continue to watch and have a good time with me.

"One more thing. I have heard that there was some confusion to my song choice and my personality. I'm not really 'schizophrenic.' I don't think. (Wait a minute. Who said that? Not me! It wasn't me either...just kidding!!!) But I don't 'party' in the normal way some people do with the drinking and all of that. My party is on stage and that's where I let loose and have a good time. Whether it's treating the bar or a table as my stage or just going into the crowd--that's how I have fun. I just want everyone to have a great time with me. That's all.

"I do appreciate everyone's great comments and their criticism. It helps me to be a better artist."