Lincoln County native Carole Bufford was named second runner-up in "The MetroStar Talent Challenge," which led to a show-stopping performance at the Lincoln Center in New York City.

During the cabaret contest, held in Manhattan's Metropolitan Room, Bufford sang Bessie Smith's "You've Been a Good Old Wagon;" "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You);" "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen;" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand," among others.

Scott and Barbara Siegel, cabaret and Broadway critics for the "Talkin' Broadway" website, wrote: "But for sheer talent matched with a gutsy go-for-broke bravado, give us Carole Bufford. Slightly built, boyishly beautiful, but possessing a powerhouse voice that belies her fragile appearance, she is a find if ever there was one."

The exposure to cabaret enthusiasts at the Metropolitan Room resulted in Bufford receiving an invitation to appear at the New York Cabaret Convention, celebrating its 20th anniversary in the Frederick P. Rose Hall, the home of "Jazz at Lincoln Center."

For her debut at the Lincoln Center, Bufford selected Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," written by Jimmie Cox.

In his review of Bufford's performance for "New York Calling," William Wolf wrote: "Smith (Donald Smith, head of the Mabel Mercer Foundation, which sponsors the convention) makes a point of spotlighting someone new, and Carole Bufford wowed the audience with her ability to handle the blues in grand style, saying she was inspired as a youngster listening to recordings by Bessie Smith. We'll surely be hearing more about her."

Then there was Stephen Holden of The New York Times: "Nurturing young talent, of course, is essential to the genre's survival. And the appearances of a traditional crooner like Mr. King (Nicolas King, 18) and Carole Bufford, a folk-blues singer who delivered strong popslanted renditions of Johnny Cash and Bessie Smith songs, suggest that the talent is there waiting to be harvested."

In a telephone interview with Bufford concerning her Lincoln Center debut, she said, "Performing at the Lincoln Center was a surreal experience, probably the most thrilling experience I've had on stage. To be accepted by the other performers and people in the audience, who had never seen me before, was an amazing feeling."

For those planning a trip to New York, the rising star will be making her Metropolitan Room solo debut. Her cabaret, titled "intro," will feature the songs of Bessie Smith, Cole Porter, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Jimmie Cox, Bobby Russell, and more.

Bufford is scheduled to sing at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 19, and at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 21.

For tickets, visit www.metro politanroom. com.

Bufford is currently living in New York, where she is carving out a career for herself as a professional singer and actor.

"I keep busy, trying to sing as much as possible," she said. "I also audition like a maniac."

Since her 2004 graduation from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Art in musical theatre, the LCHS graduate has experienced quite a few career highlights. These include landing the title role in the touring cast of the musical, "Junie B. Jones;" performing with the Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles; playing the role of Kween in the off-Broadway production of "Trouble in Shameland;" serving as the understudy for two members of the cast of "A Christmas Carol" at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City; playing the title role in the Atlanta Lyric Theatre's production of "Peter Pan;" and performing a solo cabaret in Manhattan, titled "An Inappropriate Evening With Carole J. Bufford," which garnered rave reviews.

Bufford is the daughter of Kaye and Bill Bufford of Lincolnton and the granddaughter of Eva and Ed Burdette of Washington; Cliffy and Gwinn Ware of Evans, formerly of Tignall; and the late Buddy Bufford and Lilly Bufford Wells.