Flips, Jackson tribute part of Fairfield Idol’s act

19-year-old is Fairfield's first male Idol

Finalist Ethan Unklesbay performs during the Fairfield Idol competition held at Village Green Park Friday, July 3, during Fairfield's Red White and Kaboom celebration. Unklesbay was announced as Fairfield's first male 'Idol,' winning a $500 gift certificate and four-hour recording session.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Finalist Ethan Unklesbay performs during the Fairfield Idol competition held at Village Green Park Friday, July 3, during Fairfield's Red White and Kaboom celebration. Unklesbay was announced as Fairfield's first male 'Idol,' winning a $500 gift certificate and four-hour recording session.

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By Josh Sweigart, Staff Writer Updated 1:36 AM Saturday, July 4, 2009

FAIRFIELD — With his high-energy, back-flip laden act, Ethan Unklesbay won a handy victory Friday night, July 3, becoming the first male Fairfield Idol.

“It still kind of hasn’t sunk in yet, but it’s really, really cool, because I haven’t won anything this big,” he said after the results were announced.

This is only the beginning of the adventure for Unklesbay, 19. The Fairfield native just finished his freshman year at Brigham Young University in Utah and is planning a two-year mission trip to Chile.

He said music is just a hobby right now, “But if the door opens, I’ll take it.”

In addition to bragging rights, the winner walks away with a $500 gift certificate, a four-hour recording session at the local Moonlight Studios and discounts to local parks. The runner-up gets a $100 gift certificate and a two-hour recording session.

Unklesbay said he has a couple of his own songs he would like to record in the studio, and would like to cut an album. But his big plans for life are still to finish his degree and teach Spanish after returning from Chile.

The final round of the competition Friday night was at Village Green Park in Fairfield before thousands of visitors to the Red, White and Kaboom celebration.

It was a classic battle: youth versus experience, dueling guitars shooting it out for the honor of becoming Fairfield’s top musical talent.

The other finalist was Tom Giusti, 41, a professional musician who went to music school in Hollywood, Calif. “I’ve been playing music since I was probably 15,” he said.

Giusti’s fans said they appreciated his “strong, clear voice,” and mellow stage presence. Unklesbay wowed the audience with both acoustic and physical acrobatics, including a standing back-flip on the concrete stage.

In the first of the two-act competition, Unklesbay broke out his guitar for the song “I’ll Be There,” a tribute to Michael Jackson. Giusti followed with “Home,” by American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry.

In the second act, Unklesbay sang “Let Me Entertain You” by Robbie Williams. Giusti stuck with the guitar, playing a song he wrote called “Something About You.”

Giusti said he enjoyed the competition and plans to continue recording his solo album. “I’d like to be doing this full time,” he said.

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What a great time I had. The crowd was terrific and Ethan was great! Although I would have liked to have won the title of Fairfiel Idol.....I came runner up to a talented guy... WAY TO GO ETHAN... keep it up!....... Thanks to everyone involved and to all the people that voted me to the final 2 ...... watch for my solo album.. or go to www.myspace.com/tomgiusti123

Again... CONGRATULATIONS ETHAN!!!

Tom Giusti
10:35 AM, 7/6/2009

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WAY TO GO, ETHAN! As one of Ethan's former teachers, I want to say that it couldn't happen to a nicer or more deserving person! He is an awesome young man.

Robbin Conroy
10:15 AM, 7/6/2009

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I was there; both men were wonderful-talented and entertaining. The competition is a credit to our fine community. The night was well organized, the bands were phenomenal, the food was terrific, and Faifield is a great place to live and raise a famiy! Thanks to all for the hard work in putting this event together! God Bless America and God Bless this community and its people.

brenda barrett
1:57 PM, 7/4/2009

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This is not a surprise whatsoever! While I do not know Ethan, his father was a band teacher when I was at FHS and he was a wonderful teacher and musician. He brought new and interesting music and really showed his passion for the art every day. I can only imagine the musical joy that surrounded Ethan through his youth and adolescence. Congratulations - I see the Unklesbay legacy lives on!

fhs grad
11:45 PM, 7/3/2009

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