Pyramid Hill light show preparation
.jpg)
Lakota West vs. Anderson
Sculpture donated in Hamilton
'Idol' dreams continue for 25
By Meghan Crosby, Staff Writer
On her quest to become the first-ever Miami Valley idol, Amanda Crain forgot the words.
"It was my favorite part of the song, too," the 18-year-old Monroe resident said of her rendition of a Celine Dion classic, "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face."
"At least it was a great rush!"
The search for the Miami Valley Idol kicked off Saturday night at the Sorg Opera House as 33 area finalists faced off in the first round of the contest.
Video: Miami Valley Idol
See a sampling of performances as the search for the Miami Valley Idol kicked off Saturday night at the Sorg Opera House. Thirty-three area finalists faced off in the first round of the contest.
Contestants ranged in age from 14 to 67 and were from as far away as Fairborn to the north and Kentucky to the south.
More than 100 singers auditioned to participate in the competition.
Tammy Slater, the show's promoting manager, said many of the singers who auditioned — and ended up competing — are performing country music.
That was clear as numerous contestants belted out chords from the likes of Reba McIntyre, Dixie Chicks and Patsy Cline.
"But there's a little bit of Motown, rock and R&B mixed in," she said.
Marie Vlassy, 17, of Washington Courthouse, was greeted with a round of applause after kicking off her shoes before singing the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody."
"I love to sing and this is a good way to prepare me for the real 'American Idol,'" she said.
Sunday night marked the first of three contests to name the Miami Valley Idol.
All 33 finalists were awarded professional photographs and were assisted in putting together demo packages.
Each also will be given a chance to record a song, and the top three finishers will sing at the July "Music on Main" event.
"People who are here want to be singers, so we want to help them with that," said Slater.
Twenty-five finalists walked away from Saturday's competition with a package of prizes and will move on to the next contest to be held at 7 p.m. next Saturday.
From there, 10 contestants will compete in a karaoke-style finale at 7 p.m. May 27.
The top 10 also receive a package, which includes recording time. First place wins $3,000, second place $1,000, third place $500 and fourth place $200.
All shows are at the Sorg Opera House, 57 S. Main St. For more information, call (513) 217-4444.
Contact this reporter at (513)
705
-
2813
or
mcrosby
@coxohio.com.
