Second Cup Cafe: Christina Perri

For up-and-coming singer-songwriter Christina Perri, moving to Los Angeles on her 21st birthday with just a suitcase and guitar in-hand may have been the boldest -- and one of the best things she's ever done.

Just two weeks ago, the 23-year-old Philadelphia native and aspiring, unsigned artist was waiting tables at a Beverly Hills cafe.

Today, her music career has catapulted in a new direction after her song, "Jar of Hearts," was used on the hit Fox show "So You Think You Can Dance" this week.

Her beautifully-daunting new single, which became an overnight hit, has raced up the iTunes charts to the No. 8 spot among pop singles.

Perri stopped by "The Early Show on Saturday Morning"'s "Second Cup Cafe" to perform "Jar of Hearts" and "Bang, Bang, Bang."

So how did "Jar of Hearts" make its way onto the popular reality show?

It wasn't sheer luck. Besides being a great song on its own, Perri had a little help from a supportive friend and dancer who knows one of the show's choreographers.

Needless to say, "Jar of Hearts" was well-received and immediately passed on and pitched to the show's producers, who gave it the green light. A day later, it was being choreographed, and a week later, it was on TV for the first time.

Music is a common denominator in Perri family. Her brother is the former Shinedown (rock band) guitarist Nick Perri. Inspired by his musical endeavors, Christina had the chance to go on the road with the band and witness firsthand their rock n' roll rise to the top.

She also had an interesting venue to perform in in Philadelphia -- a barber shop owned by her parents.

Although the customers enjoyed her songs, Perri took a break from singing and touring with her brother and went to her father's native country of Italy. There, she spent three months with family and learned how to make wine and olive oil.

The young talent, who also recorded a demo for famous songwriter Diane Warren, is currently in the studio, hard at work writing and recording for an EP release in late summer.

Perri's musical influences include Jason Mraz (with whom she now shares the same management company), Fiona Apple and Lily Allen, among others.

She took to her blog to share her appreciation for her newfound fame, saying, "i am so touched + speechless over your overwhelming response to jar of hearts."
By Melissa Castellanos