RURAL AMERICAN IDOL FINALS
Story and Photos
By Minda Painter

The much-awaited day for the “Rural American Idol” contest, started early in the afternoon on Saturday, November 21 at the Cotton Pickin Theatre in Point, Texas. As each contestant took their turn for rehearsal with the band, he or she was filled with anticipation and anxiety about their individual performance and felt the high level of competition in the air.

The dimming lights of the huge chandelier that hangs high from the rafters signaled the opening of the show. The audience settled in as the Shindig Band struck up the familiar strains of the “Orange Blossom Special”. The tension eased a bit as Jimmie Painter, who emceed the show, took the stage and explained the rules of the event. Two songs would be performed by each contestant for scoring by the judges and votes from the audience.

A high level of fierce competition started with Division 2 that had 7 finalists. Colton Dewberry from Corrigan, Texas, rendered a riveting performance of “Before the Next Teardrop Fall” (with a Spanish rendition) and “I Walk Alone”. Melissa Dunham from Mesquite, did a Patsy Cline selection “Crazy” and brilliantly rendered “I’m Here for the Party”. Lindsey Harding from Longview, superbly belted out “Till I Can Make it on my Own” and “The Fool”. Crissy Harold from McKinney, was all country with her outstanding rendition of “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “If You’re Looking At Me, You’re Looking at Country”.

(Pictured L-R: Division 2 Finalists -- Laramie Lomanto, Crissy Harold, Katelynn Huff, Jordan Todd, Lindsey Harding, Melissa Harding, and Colton Dewberry)

Katelynn Huff, from Sulphur Springs, presented the gospel number “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” then quickly changed for a first rate performance of “Fancy”. Laramie Lomanto, from Alba, took the challenge from everyone with her exhilarating presentation of “Walking After Midnite” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough”. Last to perform in the division was Jordan Todd, from White Oak, who enthralled the audience with her song selections “I Told You So” and “Don’t Worry About Me”.

Trophies for the finalist in this division were presented by Joe Ben and Lena Cason.

With only two contestants in Division 1, the competition was for first and second place. Breyonia Ford, from Greenville, presented an enchanting rendition of “Broken Wing”, never missing all the high notes. She followed it with her song “Jesus Take The Wheel”. McKenzie Anderson from Allan, brilliantly whipped out “Suds in a Bucket” and a country classic “Once A Day”.

POINT members, Paul and Betty Cason, presented the finalist trophies for Division 1.((L-R: Betty Cason, McKenzie Anderson, Breyonia Ford, and Paul Cason)

The competition for Division 3 was conducted in the second half of the show. The challenge had only two contestants because of contract restrictions from the Texas Music Hall of Fame Competition in Carthage that disqualified the third contestant, Kimberly Green, who won that title. John DuBose, from Quitman, thrilled the audience with Merle Haggard’s “Swingin’ Doors” and Travis Tritt’s “Anymore”. James Smith took the challenge seriously and with his guitar in tow, enchanted the crowd with an old time favorite, "Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash and “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones.

POINT members Patsy Hanks and Norman Cason presented the finalist trophies for Division 3. (L-R: James Smith and John DuBose)

The crowd showered the contestants with thunderous applause in appreciation of their talent.

2008 Rural American Idol Jason McDonald was unfortunately not able to make the trip back from Washington D.C. for his bow down performance.

While votes were being counted and judges tallied their scores, Norman Cason and the members of the Shindig Band took turns performing. Then, after the number crunching by PoInT members Patsy Leshe, Nan Satterwhite and Patsy Hanks, the much anticipated results were handed to Minda Painter for presentation.

Winners are as follows:
In Division I: 1st place – Breyonia Ford; 2nd place – McKenzie Anderson
In Division II: 1st place – Colton Dewberry; 2nd place – Jordan Todd; 3rd place – Crissy Harold;
In Division III: 1st place – James Smith; 2nd place – John DuBose

Trophies and cash prizes were awarded to the division winners by PoInT President and Program Co-Coordinator Minda Painter. The trophies were created and designed by PoInT member artist Linda Childers. The trophy-design is topped with a bole of cotton, reflecting a symbol of Rural America and the old cotton gin, now The Cotton Pickin’ Theatre, which has turned its production into talent development.

The final segment of the competition was a sing-off between the 3 division, first-place, winners: Breyonia Ford, Colton Dewberry and James Smith. The same process of audience voting and judges scoring was applied. The winner was Colton Dewberry, who convincingly won the title of “Rural American Idol-2009”, the Grand Champion Trophy, a cash prize of $1,000, a professional photo package by Pevon Photography, and special invitation performances.

Event sponsor Margaret Riley, owner of Bent Tree Motel announced the winner, A loud cheer from the audience signified their approval and the jubilant young man from Corrigan, Texas has made his 200 mile trips to Point, Texas a worthy travel.

(Pictured L-R Event Sponsor, Bent Tree Motel owner, Margaret Riley, 2009 Rural American Idol Winner Colton Dewberry, and PoInT President and Event Co-Coordinator Minda Painter.)

That night, the theater was packed with over 90% of the people coming from outside of Rains County. Over 60% of the audience came from beyond 50 miles. The show was sponsored by Bent Tree Motel.