LIST OF RURAL AMERICAN FINALISTS IS SET
By
Minda Painter
A total of eight vocal talents will compete in the Rural American Idol finals on November 20 at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in Point, Texas. The last set of competitors secured a spot in the finals with superb performances on Saturday, October 23.
The challenge in the 13-to-25age group was launched by Aubrey Burnley from Tyler. Her exceptional performance of “Like we never loved at all” and “Blue Bayou” set the level of the competition. Laramie Lomanto from Alba met the challenge with a youthful “hip” performance of Sugarland's “Baby Girl” and “Stay”. Jessica Mize stepped up the division contest with a flamboyant rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” and a Patsy Cline classic, “Crazy.”
The only entry for ages 6-to-12 Division 1 was 7-year old Emily Worley from Point. Assured of a spot in the finals, her performance last Saturday of “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man” and “The Climb” nevertheless showed her capability to handle the competition from the others in her division.
The four contestants in Division 3 presented a steaming level of rivalry, with each one showing their own style of performance. Janet Lynn Adam of Winnsboro was “all country” as she rendered Patsy Cline's “She’s Got You” and Loretta Lynn’s “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like My Daddy Anymore” with great bravado. The vivacious character of Laura Cockerham played well in her rendition of “I’m Here For the Party”. A turn around tempo for her performance of “I May Hate Myself in the Morning” was well received. A bubbly presentation of the Sugarland song, “It Happens” by Tammie White, from Royse City, was followed by her outstanding rendition of Faith Hill’s “Broken Wing”. White’s challenge was answered by Kelly Worley of Point with her splendid interpretation of Martina McBride’s “Anyway”. For her second act, Worley gave an animated performance of “That’s What I Like About You”.
As ballots were being counted and the computer was cranking out the overall results, the eight contestants continued to present a glowing, non-competition performance during the second half of the show. Encouraging support from the Shindig Band, made up of Curtis Wayne, Geary Cason, Danny Calk, Dennis Cason, and Gene Smith, Jr., was repeatedly acknowledged by the contestants.
The overall ballot count, plus the point count from the judges, showed Division 2, Jessica Mize garnering the highest vote count, followed closely by Aubrey Burnley, then Laramie Lomanto. Division 3 showed Tammie White leading the pack, followed by Kelly Worley, then Janet Lynn Adams, then Laura Cockerham.
L-R: Jessica Mize, Janet Lynn Adam, Tammie White, Kelly Worley, Laura Cockerham, Laramie Lomanto, and Aubrey Burnley; front row: Emily Worley
The line up of the 2010 Rural American Idol finalists is now set.
Division 1 finalists are Morgan Woodward, Emily Worley, and Katia Rojo as a wildcard.
Division 2 finalists are Victoria Ecker, Billie Joe (Ferguson) Russell, Taylor Austin and Crissy Harold. They will be joined by Jessica Mize, Aubrey Burnley, and wild card division entry, Laramie Lomanto.
Division 3, the line up is Amanda Pruitt, Tammie White, Kelly Worley, Janet Lynn Adam and wild card division entry, Laura Cockerham.
Tickets for the upcoming Rural American Idol Finals are now available. Advance ticket price is $12 and tickets purchased at the gate will be $15. Seating at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre is limited. Tickets are now available in Emory at the Rains Chamber of Commerce, and in Point, at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre, Joe Ben’s Music Store, and the Golden Glow.
Next week, the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre will present a full show by 17 year old “Elvis Presley Tribute Artist”, Josh Davis, with the Shindig Band.
Picture Caption:
L-R: Jessica Mize, Janet Lynn Adam, Tammie White, Kelly Worley, Laura Cockerham, Laramie Lomanto, and Aubrey Burnley; front row: Emily Worley