Chautauqua Idol Down To Six After Holiday-Themed Evening
By JESSICA WASMUND
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7/31/2007 - BEMUS POINT — Christmas trees, Santa hats and snowmen were scattered amongst the sunglasses and T-shirts at Monday's Chautauqua Lake Idol competition.
For the competition's third-to-last week, the singing competition featured a Christmas In July theme, where contestants were asked to sing their favorite holiday carol.
Each musician brought a little something different to the competition, from Ben Blood's crowd-pleasing rendition of ''The Christmas Song'' to Lydia Marks' unique version of ''Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.''
''It's a beautiful night, and everyone is doing just great, but I've yet to be wowed,'' said judge Tim Edborg at intermission. ''All of these singers have potential, and they sing with such passion. Ben has done really well so far — they all have the ability, just not the consistency.''
Edborg got his wish after the first half, when Michael Valvo came out and gave a stirring rendition of ''Silver Bells.'' He explained that the song had meaning to him, and that he would be performing off of his grandmother's sheet music.
Judge Tom Torbjornsen started off the judging by praising Valvo for his outstanding performance.
''That right there is the definition of clothing one's self with one's song — everyone here needs to look, listen and learn,'' Torbjornsen said before standing up and bowing to an overwhelmed Valvo.
''This is definitely the top eight we've had in four years, it's the most talent I've ever seen,'' said Andrew Hill, master of ceremonies. ''I really hate to see any of them go, but we're offering them an opportunity to get better.''
Hill was offered the opportunity to host the event four years ago through his work at the contest's sponsor, WWSE 93.3 FM.
''The first year I just fell in love with it, and now this is my fourth year doing it,'' Hill said, who works as the on-air director of operations for Media One Group. ''We knew we had a lot of talent out there, and we wanted to give people a one-of-a-kind showcase.''
John Cross and the Babaloo Band, the four-piece backup ensemble, has been providing the sounds of Chautauqua Idol for the past four years, and Cross had an opportunity to shine Monday with a number of tenor saxophone solos.
Louann Dobmeyer, another of the judges, said she is excited to be hosting for her first year, after her son-in-law said, ''It was time I stepped out of my comfort zone,'' Dobmeyer said. ''I've really enjoyed the experience much more than I thought I would. The confidence level of the singers has really grown and we've seen each come into their own. We feel really awful at the end of the night — deciding who leaves is the toughest part.''
Contestant Paris Williams ended the evening's performances with a rendition of Marvin Gaye's ''I Want To Come Home For Christmas.'' However, nerves had gotten the better of Williams after waiting for his turn.
''There's a lot of pressure going last. I'm following so many good acts,'' Williams said.
Although he sang with a mellow and smooth song, Williams slipped and forgot a few lines of lyrics, but in the end was ''just glad it's over.''
After a vivacious round of applause from the audience, the six continuing finalists were chosen for the evening. Andrea Bragg, Blood, Valvo, Rich Beatty, Marks and Williams were chosen to continue, while Ashleagh Suber and Jaala Fish were sent home despite their best efforts.
Two nights of Chautauqua Idol now remain. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, the theme for the evening will be ''Remember When...'' when contests will sing a song from the year of their birth, or high school or college graduation. The final round will take place Monday, Aug. 20, when one winner will be selected from three remaining finalists.
For the competition's third-to-last week, the singing competition featured a Christmas In July theme, where contestants were asked to sing their favorite holiday carol.
Each musician brought a little something different to the competition, from Ben Blood's crowd-pleasing rendition of ''The Christmas Song'' to Lydia Marks' unique version of ''Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.''
''It's a beautiful night, and everyone is doing just great, but I've yet to be wowed,'' said judge Tim Edborg at intermission. ''All of these singers have potential, and they sing with such passion. Ben has done really well so far — they all have the ability, just not the consistency.''
Edborg got his wish after the first half, when Michael Valvo came out and gave a stirring rendition of ''Silver Bells.'' He explained that the song had meaning to him, and that he would be performing off of his grandmother's sheet music.
Judge Tom Torbjornsen started off the judging by praising Valvo for his outstanding performance.
''That right there is the definition of clothing one's self with one's song — everyone here needs to look, listen and learn,'' Torbjornsen said before standing up and bowing to an overwhelmed Valvo.
''This is definitely the top eight we've had in four years, it's the most talent I've ever seen,'' said Andrew Hill, master of ceremonies. ''I really hate to see any of them go, but we're offering them an opportunity to get better.''
Hill was offered the opportunity to host the event four years ago through his work at the contest's sponsor, WWSE 93.3 FM.
''The first year I just fell in love with it, and now this is my fourth year doing it,'' Hill said, who works as the on-air director of operations for Media One Group. ''We knew we had a lot of talent out there, and we wanted to give people a one-of-a-kind showcase.''
John Cross and the Babaloo Band, the four-piece backup ensemble, has been providing the sounds of Chautauqua Idol for the past four years, and Cross had an opportunity to shine Monday with a number of tenor saxophone solos.
Louann Dobmeyer, another of the judges, said she is excited to be hosting for her first year, after her son-in-law said, ''It was time I stepped out of my comfort zone,'' Dobmeyer said. ''I've really enjoyed the experience much more than I thought I would. The confidence level of the singers has really grown and we've seen each come into their own. We feel really awful at the end of the night — deciding who leaves is the toughest part.''
Contestant Paris Williams ended the evening's performances with a rendition of Marvin Gaye's ''I Want To Come Home For Christmas.'' However, nerves had gotten the better of Williams after waiting for his turn.
''There's a lot of pressure going last. I'm following so many good acts,'' Williams said.
Although he sang with a mellow and smooth song, Williams slipped and forgot a few lines of lyrics, but in the end was ''just glad it's over.''
After a vivacious round of applause from the audience, the six continuing finalists were chosen for the evening. Andrea Bragg, Blood, Valvo, Rich Beatty, Marks and Williams were chosen to continue, while Ashleagh Suber and Jaala Fish were sent home despite their best efforts.
Two nights of Chautauqua Idol now remain. At 6:30 p.m. Monday, the theme for the evening will be ''Remember When...'' when contests will sing a song from the year of their birth, or high school or college graduation. The final round will take place Monday, Aug. 20, when one winner will be selected from three remaining finalists.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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