"Moonlighting as an actress may help Kate Voegele become a pop star. The singer-songwriter recently wrapped up a six-episode stint as back-up singer "Mia" on the CW's "One Tree Hill."

Since she appeared on the show, her album shot up the iTunes chart (she's currently in the top 10), and song plays on her MySpace site increased by a million in one week. She rereleased her debut album, "Don't Look Away," on MySpace Records the day her character debuted on the teen-oriented drama.

"It's a great launching pad," the 21-year-old told The Associated Press. "I think it's just going to be an awesome foundation for my career going from here. I'm thrilled."

Voegele said she's only done bit parts in school and was surprised to get the role. She had her doubts about how welcoming the cast would be, but she said everyone was friendly. That includes Kevin Federline, who also appeared in the show as the lead singer. Voegele had nothing but praise for the ex-Mr. Britney Spears: "He was a great guy." [Source] 

"While the concerns Voegele touches on in her songs are contemporary, her sensibility is deeply rooted. Growing up surrounded by the music of seminal singer/songwriters like Carole King, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and Eric Clapton, thanks to her musician father, Voegele absorbed everything she heard as if by osmosis, and began writing her own songs at 15.

"It's my personal goal to continue the standard set by those before me," she says of her timeless approach. "No matter how a song develops, my main goal is to reach people, because there were so many musicians who spoke to me, and still do, to help me to deal with situations. It's so easy nowadays with all the technology for people to fake it. For me, it's just so important that the true musical talent and passion for the songs be there." [Source]

Be sure to check out One Tree Hill Tuesdays at 8pm on CW11.