Life in the fast lane passes through Grove City

April 09, 2008 08:57 am

— Grove City and Hollywood may be polar opposites but aspiring rockstar Lucy Walsh wouldn’t have it any other way.
Walsh, the daughter of legendary Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh, lives full-time in Hollywood but regularly visits Grove City, where her mother, stepdad and two siblings live.
“They moved to Grove City five years ago for my stepdad’s job,” Walsh, 25, explained. “Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time here.”
According to Walsh, some of her favorite local spots include the Coffee Grove and Leesburg Falls.
“There is nothing like (Leesburg Falls) in L.A.,” said Walsh, adding that she loved the lush green trees that grow there. “It’s such a great place to go and relax.”
In addition, Walsh also said she hopes to get a chance to visit the Guthrie Theater the next time she is in Grove City.
“I love coming back,” she said. “Grove City is a great place to get away.”
Unfortunately, Walsh has no time for rest and relaxation as she is competing in MTV’s newest series, Rock the Cradle. The eight-week-long series pits the 25-year-old singer against eight other rockstar children with similar dreams of stardom.
“Nine of us kids will perform songs live every week,” Walsh explained. “We really get to strut our stuff and it’s very exciting.”
Walsh is competing against A’Keiba Burrell, daughter of rapper MC Hammer, Landon Brown, eldest son of New Edition member Bobby Brown, Lara Johnston, daughter of Doobie Brothers singer Tom Johnston, Chloe Lattanzi, daughter of singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, Crosby Loggins, son of singer Kenny Loggins, Jesse Money, daughter of singer Eddie Money, Jesse Blaze Snider, son of Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider and Lil B. Sure!, son of R&B singer Al B. Sure!.
A panel of four judges rate the performances each week but viewers at home decide which of the singers should be sent home through online and telephone voting.
The show premiered live last Thursday and Walsh had a very strong showing from both the judges and audience. She was given the highest rating out of all the performers by the judges, which makes her ineligible to be voted off.
One judge even commented that Walsh was “the one to beat” after her energetic cover of “The Heart of the Matter” by Don Henley, her dad’s band mate in the Eagles.
While Walsh surely enjoyed the victory, it may have also been bittersweet as her famous dad was the only parent not in attendance at the show. He is currently on tour in Europe, his daughter explained, although she added that he did not necessarily approve of her participation in the show.
“He’s uncomfortable with reality television,” Walsh revealed. “He’s nervous but also really proud.”
According to Walsh, filming for the show began four weeks ago and the competitors have grown close to each other since then.
“It’s like we all belong in our own little club,” Walsh laughed. “I had never met any of them before but it’s been really fun!”
However, Walsh warned that sparks could fly between the contestants as the season progresses.
“We’ve had to live in close quarters so some drama might go down,” she predicted.
According to Walsh, Rock the Cradle will also be filled with twists and turns for both the competitors and audience.
“It’s going to amp up the pressure and excitement,” she said. “Some of the stuff really surprised me.”
Walsh said she hoped Rock the Cradle would be one step further in realizing her dream of becoming a superstar.
“People always shoot down celebrity kids,” Walsh said. “But a name only gets you in the door. If you don’t have talent, no one cares.”
According to Walsh, her vibrant personality is what sets her apart from the rest of the rockstar offspring.
“(All the competitors) are really talented so voting comes down to personality,” she said. “I’m very outgoing and playful and I don’t take myself too seriously.”
One thing Walsh does take seriously is her music, however.
According to Walsh, her famous father told her at a young age that he would not help fulfill her dream – she had to do it all on her own.
And so she did, learning to play the piano and singing at a young age. By the time she was 18, she moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream. She has not looked back since.
In addition to connecting with other young musicians in L.A., Walsh landed a gig as Ashlee Simpson’s keyboardist and backup singer. She said she has also performed with many different bands in L.A., honing her skills and performance.
“I just want to make good music,” Walsh said. “I love it so much!”
According to Walsh, the next time she will be in Grove City will be for her brother, Spencer’s, high school graduation – although by that time, there’s a pretty good chance she’ll already be a bonafide rock star.
“I think Lucy Walsh should be a household name!” she laughed.
Come this spring, there’s a very good chance she will be.

Rock the Cradle is shown at 10 p.m. every Thursday on MTV.

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