Editor’s Note: Due to a production error last week, the following article’s jump was not printed in the issue. Here’s the story in its entirety.

When Natalie McLaughlin was singing in the Oxford High School choir, she never dreamed that one day she would be on stage performing with Motown legend Stevie Wonder.
But that’s exactly where the 22-year-old Oxford resident was June 24.
‘It was wonderful ? absolutely amazing,? she said. ‘I got to sing with Stevie Wonder!?
In front of a packed audience at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Independence Township, McLaughlin got up on stage and performed Wonder’s 1976 classic ‘Isn’t She Lovely? with not only him, but also his daughter Aisha, who’s now a backup singer in his act.
‘You could hear the entire audience,? she said. ‘Everybody was singing. It was great.?
How fitting considering this song was originally written to celebrate Aisha’s birth.
‘I sang it to her, so it was fabulous,? McLaughlin. ‘We were standing on stage together next to (Wonder) by the piano. She’s absolutely beautiful.?
Performing before a audience of thousands and thousands of people didn’t phase McLaughlin.
‘I was still comfortable,? she said. ‘The only thing that made me nervous was that we didn’t rehearse. But I love performing and singing, so it felt like home. I was so ecstatic to do it.?
‘At the end of the concert, (Wonder) thanked me. He said my name along with the entire band,? McLaughlin noted.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was made possible by 104.3 WOMC, the oldies radio station from which McLaughlin also won tickets to the concert.
All she had to do was sing ‘Isn’t She Lovely?? on the radio June 16. McLaughlin, a 2003 OHS graduate, was asleep when her mother, Susie, woke her and said she was going to sing on Dick Purtan’s morning radio show for Steve Wonder concert tickets.
At first, McLaughlin was skeptical that her mom’s call would get through, but it did on the first try. ‘It’s radio, nobody gets through right away, but she’s kind of lucky like that,? she said.
Getting 104.3 WOMC on the phone was only part of the challenge. Now, she had to sing, but what?
‘I didn’t know any Stevie Wonder lyrics so while I was on hold, I looked up the lyrics to ‘Isn’t She Lovely?? (on the internet),? McLaughlin said.
Not only did her golden voice win the tickets, she became one of 10 finalists in the running for chance to sing with Wonder on stage during the concert.
On Friday, McLaughlin found out she was selected by the staff of Purtan’s morning show to hit those high notes with the Grammy Award-winning artist.
‘Of course, I flipped out,? she said. ‘It was just so exciting. I can’t believe I was given such a good opportunity. I’m still waiting for somebody to pinch me and wake me up.?
McLaughlin said this wonderful event never would have happened without retired OHS Choir Director Margaret Payne.
‘She’s my mentor. I owe her everything,? she said. ‘She was the one who taught me to sing and be confident with my voice. She taught me everything I know.?
Her singing career began as a freshman in the varsity choir. Toward the end of high school, McLaughlin was singing as part of the more advanced Chorale group and even played the lead (Maria) in the OHS production of ‘The Sound of Music.?
Although she’s working two jobs right now to pay off her student loans, McLaughlin would like to go back to school and pursue a career in music.
‘Ideally, I’d love to be on Broadway, but I’m seriously considering becoming a voice teacher if that doesn’t work out,? she said.
McLaughlin was ‘hoping for a little one-on-one? time with Wonder to get some ‘constructive criticism? from the master, but it didn’t happen.
The whole experience definitely reenergized the young singer’s love of music and performing. ‘I can’t wait to do it again,? McLaughlin said. ‘Hopefully, next time it will be my show.?