Hanover Idol prospects sing for shot at
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January 31, 2008 (Bill Doran, Herald Progress)
Judges, from left, Charlie Pendleton, Vickie Wynn, Janice Brock and Sean Patrick Kennedy.
(H-P photos by Bill Doran)
Auditions for the second annual Hanover Idol competition was held last Sunday. About 50 hopefuls have signed up for their chance to become the next Idol. Ashland residents Lorie Foley and Sue Watson organized the event. "Last year we had about 26 people come out to audition," said Foley. "This year we are expecting about 50."
A friendly team of four local judges judged the Hanover Idol auditions. The judges were, Vickie Wynn, who has been working with the Ashland Variety Show since 1990; Charlie Pendleton who has done everything from college choir to working on the Variety Show; Sean Patrick Kennedy, who has been a performer since age 11 and is a member of the Actor's Equity Union and Janice Brock, a singer of mostly classical and church music. She was a judge last year and has participated in the Variety Show in past years.
Each participant was given two minutes to audition. There were only six simple rules for entering:Only solo singing performances, no lip-synching, must be 8 years and older, must be family friendly entertainment, contestants must reside in Hanover County, and no performances on wheels.
"We had a few people show up on roller skates and skateboards last year," said Foley. "For safety reasons we decided to add the no wheels rule for this year. This is a work in progress and as we go along we will perfect the rules."
Judging was based on performance standards, stage presence and suitability for the Ashland Musical Variety Show and other public venues. All varieties of music were encouraged to audition. "Last year we seemed to see a lot of show tunes, especially The Sound of Music," said Lynn. "This year we saw a lot more variety. Hardly anyone sang the same song twice."
One participant sang a beautiful rendition of Over the Rainbow. "I have three children and I sing this song to them every night," she said. Next up was 10-year old Max Cook who sang the Guns and Roses song, Sweet Child of Mine. "You have a rockin voice," said Kennedy, after the audition. The idol hopefuls sang everything from current pop artists, such as Christina Aguilera and Carrie Underwood, to spiritual songs from Amy Grant, and even one mind-blowing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
After the audition process was finished the judges narrowed it down to 16 participants. The finalists are; Kellie West, Jennifer Lauren Niess, Walker Wilson, Bridgett Johnson, Rhiannon Harris, Lisa Williams, Sarah Johnson, Lauren Richardson, Heather Mentz, Julie Ross Gates, Ryan Gary, Carrie Cawthorne, Max Cook, Rebecca Culley, Nicole Kirkwood, and Kenan Seither.
The 16 will compete Feb. 17 6:30 p.m. at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. On that evening a group of "celebrity" judges will determine the new Hanover Idol. The judges are; Deborah Shannon, John Gordon, Janet Binns, James Lynn, Charles Hartgrove and Bubba Johnson.