BIG CROWD AT STABLES: The popular Michigan Idol competition is drawing overflow crowds to The Stables on Bay City's West Side. They had to bring in extra seating to handle the overflow crowd. Art Dore and Penny Warner (far right) enjoy the show.

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The Stables - The Songs - The Competition
Michigan Idol Every Wednesday

Jam-packed Crowds Bring Out The Best During Singing Competition

June 12, 2007
By: O. J. Cunningham

The competition at Michigan Idol at the Stables is heating up. Week 5 brought big crowds out on Wednesday night to see the talented performances of some of mid-Michigan's finest singers.

John Buehl, Manager of the Stables, was pleased (again) with the crowd turnout. "The crowd is getting bigger every week," Buehl said. "Wednesday night, the place to be is Stables."

Judges for Week 5 were Craig Alston, Deb "Paula" Pyscher and Mike Sheets. And they had their hands full trying to pick the best of the performers. "I was pleasantly surprised by the level of talent," said Alston. "The quality of singing was superb."

Winners this past week (June 6, 2007) were: (in no particular order)

Dena M. Pruitt

Ashley D. January Merrel

Kalei Souza

Kendra Woody

Karen Powell

Kate Gembrowski

Carl Neveau

Steve Armstrong

Tim Draves

Ed Reaume

The weekly competition will continue until the 4th of July. Ten winners are picked every Wednesday. Winners advance.

After the 4th of July, the best 10 will advance weekly with one performer eliminated at each competition. The "Final Four" will compete during the 2007 Pig Gig.

Top prize for the competition is an all-expense paid trip to Vegas.

Highlights of Week #5 were Nancy Billingsly's cover of a Joan Jett oldie, Art Dore's crowd-pleasing solo and Karen Powell's rendition of "Vision Of Love" by Mariah Carey.

Nancy Billingsly

Art Dore

Karen Powell

Judge Craig Alston (far right) joined regulars Mike Sheets (left) and and Deb ("Paula") Pyscher to handle the judging duties during week 5 of the Michigan Idol competition at Stables.