Jon McLaughlin to perform at the Academy Awards tonight!

Piano man Jon McLaughlin will perform at tonight's Academy Awards show! He will perform "So Close", the Oscar-nominated song by composer Alan Menken for the Disney film Enchanted. McLaughlin also had appeared in the movie during the ball scene. Enchanted has three entrants in the "Best Original Song" category, and "So Close" the only contemporary stand-alone composition, apart from the more theatrical numbers.

This is a big deal for McLaughlin, because he is still little known in the industry. This appearance will offer him great exposure and hopefully new fans.

Weeks ago, the award show faced a cancellation threat due to the Writer's strike, but negotiations resulted in a deal and the Oscars are finally set to air on ABC.

I don't get into these movie-themed awards very often, and only if there was a particular film I really liked that I have an interest. Aside from Jon, I am paying particular attention to Juno's potential success tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed Juno's quirk, wit, and unique treatment of teenage pregnancy, a once-upon-a-time taboo subject. I mean, who does not love a movie that features a hamburger phone, a dude who puts deodorant on his inner thighs, and jems like the expletive-inspired "Phuket, Thailand" and "You should've gone to China, you know, 'cause I hear they give away babies like free iPods. You know, they pretty much just put them in those t-shirt guns and shoot them out at sporting events."

Take a peak at Ellen Page (nominated for best actress for her role as Juno McGuff) and Michael Cera (love interest Paulie Bleeker) playing a cover of The Moldy Peaches' "Anyone Else But You":