YouTube Goes a-Caroling

I've never actually gone out caroling myself around the holidays, but it sounds like fun. Drinking hot cocoa, hanging with your friends, freezing your behind off while you chatter carols to people who are slightly less freezing than you are. At least that was the world of caroling according to my mom.

Now, we have the Internet. This year, "YouTube Caroling" (be sure to check out contest details) is aiming to breathe a little more warmth into our holiday cheer by giving us the chance to sing our carols, nice and cozy, from in front of our very own computer screens. No freezing or chattering necessary. To pass on some of that cheer, here are a few of my favorite "YouTube Caroling" videos that are sure to get you smiling wider than a nice kid on Christmas:

Megan and Liz: From YouTube to Oprah

Image belongs to Megan and Liz

The Internet might have very well put an end to kids just singing in barber shops and talent shows, but it sure hasn't put an end to the talent. Meet Megan and Liz, 17-year-old twin guitarist-and-songwriter combo, who have not only ranked high in YouTube subscribers but have also been on the Oprah Winfrey show.

From covering such popular songs as Miley Cyrus' The Climb and Owl City's Fireflies to composing and performing their own original songs, Megan and Liz have been singing since the age of little girls. And they don't need a record label to keep going strong. Though, the girls admit, it would be cool to record in-studio.

But in spite of getting to meet their performing idol Taylor Swift herself and interviewed by Hollywood The Write Way, both Megan and Liz still seem pretty down-to-earth. Of course all the attention is nice, but the only thing really driving these two girls is the desire to be heard.

"We just love the fact that so many people want to hear our music," Liz maintains. "If fame comes out of that then that’s just one more amazing benefit!"
- 21st Century Celebrities, Agoravox

Listen to more from Megan and Liz on their Myspace and YouTube pages, and if you like what you hear, why not follow them on Twitter?

Young GLEEks Be Heard

There's only one thing more fun than listening to your favorite songs on Fox's new TV series, Glee - singing 'em yourself, of course! Back in September, Myspace Karaoke launched its first Glee Contest, and through Myspace Karaoke, fans got to show their stuff performing fan favorites, such as Gold Digger and Can't Fight This Feeling. Now, this November, Myspace Karaoke launched its second Glee Contest, and up until November 30, fans can submit their renditions of Sweet Caroline, Keep Holding On, Hate On Me, Bust A Move, and I Could Have Danced All Night.

Usually these type of contests are a great way to find people that genuinely scare you...but I've been browsing through the entries, and some submissions from the younger Glee audience really caught my ears. Take a listen/look at these fun and fantastic entries to Myspace's Second Glee Karaoke Contest, then head on over here to check out more submissions.

Sweet Caroline by Michael
(originally performed by Neil Diamond)

Keep Holding On by Marysol
(originally performed by Avril Lavigne)

Hate On Me by Chantel
(originally performed by Jill Scott)

Bust A Move by K.C.
(originally performed by Young MC)

I Could Have Danced All Night by Miss Lilah Ann
(originally performed for My Fair Lady)