THREE CONTESTANTS ADVANCE TO IDOL FINALS

By
Minda Painter

An eager crowd filled the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre in Point, Texas last Saturday for the Rural American Idol competition. A dynamic group of five contestants, all in Division 2 (between ages 13 through 25), gave hearty performances in pursuit of a winning spot in the final competition in November.

As the lights dimmed, the pulsating rhythm of the “Orange Blossom Special” kicked off the show. Joe Ben Cason was bowing the fiddle. Following a 2-1/2 hour rehearsal time, the Shindig Band was geared-up for a big evening.

Danny Calk set a nostalgic mood with his rendition of an old Floyd Cramer hit, “Last Date”. Cramer recorded the classic piece for a 45 RPM record in 1960. It introduced the world to his “slip-note” style of piano music, for which he became famous.

Before the competition got underway, emcee Jimmie Painter introduced Lacey Nicole Johns, the 2007-Rural American Idol from Hemphill, Texas. Now fifteen years old and standing tall at 5’8”, she has blossomed into a beautiful, young teenager. Her overall performance defined what it means to be a Rural American Idol grand champion. She opened her act with an old country song, “Crying Time” by Buck Owens, followed by a popular Patsy Cline classic, “Crazy”. After singing the classics, the teenage-talent switched to her “new country” song selections with exuberance. Lacey’s animated performance of her signature song, “That's What I Like about You”, was given thunderous applause.

The Idol challenge was set off by Crissy Harold of McKinney when she gave an imposing presentation of her first number “I Told You So”. She followed with a lively rendition of “You Ain’t Woman Enough”.

Stanley Johnson, from Winnsboro, started with a George Strait song. “I am Getting Ready for the end of the World”. Enthusiastic cheers and applause rang out as he sounded the first line to an Elvis Presley song, “Treat Me Like A Fool”.

A commanding challenge was posed by Taylor Austin of Canton. Her charisma on stage while performing Tanya Tucker’s jazzy number, “It’s a Little Too Late”, appealed to the crowd. So did her next song “Strawberry Wine”, a Deama Carter hit.

Stephanie Hamilton of Winnsboro faced up to the challenge with her performance of newer country music selections “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack and “You were Meant for Me” by Jewell.

The last competitor, Billie Jo Ferguson-Russell, raised the level of the competition with her splendid performance of Etta James’ renowned classic, “At Last”. Hitting all the high notes with stylish ease, she moved to another music genre, “pop-country”. She effectively showed her ability to yodel as she performed “Cowboy Sweetheart”.

During the second half of the show, without the tension of a fierce competition, the five contestants performed for the crowd with gusto, and for some, with even better performances. In the meantime, the computer crunched the numbers from the audience votes and the judges’ scores. The count was conducted by P.O.I.N.T. members Gaye Hooten and Patsy Leshe.

From the set of five contestants, three were selected to advance to the finals. P.O.I.N.T. President, Minda Painter, announced the winners: Crissy Harold of McKinney, Taylor Austin of Canton, and Billie Jo Ferguson-Russell of Emory. They will meet the other finalists in a showdown scheduled on November 21.

The last opportunities to audition for the competition for this year will be the 4th Saturday of August and September . That semi-final will be in October. The 2010-Rural American Idol will be crowned in November.

Any amateur vocalists interested in auditioning can obtain the necessary form and information by visiting www.ruralamericans.org or email point_inc@msn.com or call any of these numbers: 903-598-3809 (Minda Painter) or 903-598-3293 (Gaye Hooten).

Next Saturday is “Elvis Night”, another exciting evening of family entertainment at the Cotton Pickin’ Theatre, featuring the return of Josh Davis. This young Elvis Presley impersonator is a true entertainer, ably taking fans back in time. Enjoy an “Evening with Elvis”. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m.

Picture: (L-R) 2007 Rural American Idol Lacey Nicole Johns, Stanley Johnson, Crissy Harold, Billie Jo Ferguson-Russell, Stephanie Hamilton, and Taylor Austin.