ONLINE Voting For Michigan Idol Competition is "Pretty Good Indicator"
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Online Voting for Michigan Challenge (IDOL) Singing Competition Hits Close Mark
To say that the MyBayCity online voters "had it right" would be misleading, maybe even incorrect.
To say that the online voting for the Stables Michigan Challenge Singing Competition was an pretty good indicator of crowd support would be "right on."
Online voters went for "curb appeal." That is to say, if they liked what they saw and heard . . . That's how they voted. More like a popularity contest more than anything else.
ONLINE VOTING:
Judges, on the other hand, were looking for tone, pitch, musical ability, presentation and all-round performance.
ACTUAL Top 5 FINALISTS: In no specific order:
Online voters had three out of the top four. I went to Stables every Wednesday for the past 9 weeks to cover the competition. I'm a lucky guy. I got to meet beautiful group of young singers who had the talent and the guts to put it on the line in front of "god and everybody" every Wednesday night. You gotta love that in a human being.
I got to meet Jenna Moeggenborg (age 14) and Kate Gembrowski (age 17). What a pair! These two "kids" might just make it in the world of big-time music. We all know it takes a lucky break or two to make the "bigs." But these two got the talent and personality -- For Sure!
I got to meet Steve Armstrong. The guy's a natural. He lights up a room when he takes the microphone in his hand. Mike Sheets said it all (about Armstrong) when he commented: "He's (Armstrong) the cowboy that don't belong here in Bay City."
I got to meet Carl Neveau. The personable Carl Neveau held his 2nd place online voting spot during the entire competition. And Carl may have made it to the finals had it not been for Motown night - two weeks ago. Neveau had noticeable difficulty with a Smokey Robinson tune on that fateful Wednesday. In the end, Carl's Motown performance was probably the only thing that kept him off the stage at Pig Gig. I gave Carl a hug after his Motown song. He said "Thanks." I think he meant it.
I got to meet John Cudworth. First time I saw Cudworth sing, he was singing the crap out of "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi. Cudworth is a quiet, personable, talented guy. He's a "rocker." I want to hear him do Bon Jovi again.
Kalei Souza kept to herself during most of the competition. Most Wednesday nights she huddled up with friends and supporters in one of the Stables' side rooms and sat quietly - waiting her turn to perform.
She did not "work the room" like Armstrong, Moeggenborg, Gembrowski and others. Souza might have been "under the radar" with the fans at Stables . . . but she made a huge impression on the team of judges. "What a sweet voice," one of the judges commented. Ron Graham likened her to Roberta Flack. Carrie VanDell said she "sang like an angel."
I got to meet Karen Powell and John Dukarski. Karen - What a voice! I'm not sure why Karen is not singing at the Pig Gig on Friday. "Bobby McGee, "Lady Marmalade" and "Love Can Move Mountains" -- Powell sang the "heck" out of those songs.
Dukarski is so damn likeable, so young, so talented. It was treat to see him perform every Wednesday.
Carrie Jones ("When You're Good To Momma") and Ashley January ("Summertime") had awesome performances on the final Wednesday. I hope to see them again down the line.
The judges did a great job filtering through the 4 weeks of head-to-head competition. Chief Judge, Mike Sheets had it right. "Everybody here tonight is a winner."
I win too . . . I got to see it all up close. (What will we do next Wednesday night?) I am truly gonna miss those singers.
Below:(Left) Carl Neveau enjoy the attention of his fans during his performance on the final Wednesday. (Right) Carrie Jones (Left) and Jenna Moeggenborg pause for a photo opportunity during a break in the competition.
Below:(Left) John Dukarski and Host/Emcee Doug Dore before the competition. (Right) Dick Bork of Labadie Auto (Center), who sponsored the online voting at Stables gets a hug from Jenna Moeggenborg (Left) and Kate Gembrowski (Right).
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O. J. Cunningham |
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