WILKES-BARRE - At just 11 years old, Amy Lynne Hosmer will live one of her dreams one week before undergoing brain surgery. She will record her own, original song.
The energetic Kingston resident and rock star hopeful will travel to Rotation Records studios in Norristown on Jan. 23 for her first recording session. The fifth-grader, who suffers from recurring brain cancer, will record a song she wrote called "This Camp."
It all started with Amy's wish to get some singing advice from her idol, Taylor Swift. "She inspired me," Amy said, wearing the pink sparkly shirt she plans to don while recording. "I got the idea, 'Why don't I be a singer?' "
Etta Hosmer, Amy's mother, started a Facebook campaign in December to help her daughter meet her idol. She got the idea while laying on her daughter's bed one day while Amy sang. Her daughter turned to her and said, "Mom, if I had one wish, I'd wish to meet Taylor Swift and get hints on my singing," Mrs. Hosmer recalled.
Amy's story got the attention of Rotation Records executives Joe Staiber and Tom Jensen, who "signed" her to a record contract. The company also plans to release her song on iTunes and Amazon, among other outlets.
"This Camp" is the first song Amy's written, though she plans to write many more. She dedicated it to the kids and staff at the Ronald McDonald House Camp, an overnight, weeklong escape for young cancer patients. Amy first performed it there last summer.
"First, I thought of a tune in my head," Amy said, adding her friends would ask her what song she was humming. "I said, 'I don't know, I guess I'll have to make one.' "
Amy will travel to her recording session with her mother, father Scott Hosmer, and 7-year-old brother, Scott Jr.
Doctors discovered a cancerous tumor when Amy was 2½ years old. After her diagnosis, her parents wanted to ensure Amy had the trip of a lifetime before she was unable. Amy received a trip to Disney World from the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2005.
The tumor's return hasn't broken her spirits - the family has even nicknamed it Stanley. Amy's dad referred to her surgery as "Stanley's eviction date."
Once she recovers from surgery and chemotherapy, Amy will continue to chase her dreams. She loves to sew, draw and play the violin, among other hobbies. She has a long list of potential careers already lined up - becoming, perhaps, the world's first singer/artist/fashion designer/pet keeper/makeup artist/hairstylist/racecar driver/chef/whatever else she can dream up.
Contact the writer: kgaydos@citizensvoice.com