courtesy of Epic Records

More Photos (2):

Other articles by Gerald M. Gay:

Remote Controlled by Gerald M. Gay : Pressure couldn't prevent Tucsonan's 'Dancing' win Vocalist Cara Dillon joins Téada for an 'Irish Christmas in America' Dine like an Afghan, from the floor up Get your bangers and mash here This is your 'Nutcracker'Remote Controlled: StoryCorps wants to record oral histories of Tucsonans for NPRWomen highlight KXCI 'Local Folk' show Sopa de Tortilla rules Puzzle-master gets animated on 'Simpsons' Popcorn and porn, plus FBI raid in '73

Construction
Komatsu Equipment Co
Mechanic General
CORT
WAREHOUSE/DRIVER Health Care
Rio Salado College
PA's/Online Instructors General
CORT
Warehouse Supervisor Education
Assessment Technology, Inc
Social Studies Content Writer

Like many musicians, Kat DeLuna remembers the first time she heard her music on the radio.

She was in Tucson when it happened.

The 19-year-old singer was doing a promotional tour through Arizona, making appearances on local radio programs and at the Midtown nightclub DV8.

Still very new to the scene, DeLuna wasn't used to hearing her hit "Whine Up" over the airwaves.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I had to check the car stereo twice to make sure it wasn't playing a CD."

DeLuna has since settled into stardom. She will join Enrique Iglesias, Ne-Yo, Fabolous and others at the Johnjay & Rich Phooson concert Friday night at the Pinal County Fair Grounds in Casa Grande.

Phooson emerged from the desire to have fans of the popular radio show — whether they be from Phoenix or Tucson — meet between both cities for an all-star concert blowout.

DeLuna spoke with Caliente by phone while getting her hair done in New York City.

You are still really new to the fame game. It must be like a whirlwind for you. . . .

"It is, but this is something I've been waiting for my whole life. It is more like a dream come true. I'm always excited about everything that happens. I guess when you love something so much you don't really consider it hard work."

What were you hoping people got out of your debut album "9 Lives"?

"I wanted to people to say that Kat is a singer, dancer, songwriter, all these things. I wanted people to get that this isn't only covering one genre. There are a lot elements mixed in together. This is my first album. I wanted to be known as a real artist."

You sing in Spanish as well as English on the release. Why? "I'm Dominican. I didn't want to shy away from that. I am doing something that is not really easily done. My song is in English, but at the same time it is also in Spanish. I am the first Dominican crossover artist, so I have to rep my Latin culture."

"I already had the verses, but I didn't have the "whine up" hook. One day, one of my friends is in the studio and he starts singing R. Kelly's 'Slow Wind.' All of a sudden, it is like 'Oh my God, Wind for me!' But I didn't want it to be wind. That is how wind up became "Whine Up."

"Definitely. Especially for an artist like me. I am the type of artist that people can easily be confused over. 'What does she do?' Me being involved shows my colors, who I am, anything and everything. That way, it feels like my child. The confidence is always there."

"There is another song called 'Animal' that people are going crazy about. Just like an animal goes about following its prey, that is how we should go about following our dreams, with that same power and force. That is how I got my dream."

"To me this is just like my beginning. I want to brand my name and become something bigger, like Celine Dion or Gloria Estefan, only with a different twist. Everyone makes their own legacy. I'm going to be really really big."