DownEast Idol 2009
March 25, 2009
BreAnna Beal and Will Somes: Our Idols!
They sang their hearts out; some played guitars and harmonicas and while others went the Karaoke route. All vied to be the First DownEast Idol. The event rocked the Narraguagus High School gymnasium as 19 performers and about 600 spectators helped make the Scholarship fundraiser a huge success.
There were two categories: 1. JuBreAnna Beal, 2009 DownEast Idolnior Idol 2. Adult Idol.
Ten-year-old Will Somes, of Columbia Falls, became the first Junior Idol in what will likely become an annual event. He may not get a recording contract and a USA concert tour just yet, but his rendition of “Good Directions” by Billy Currington brought applause and squeals from fans in the audience. He also won $100 prize money. There are rumors that Toby Keith is worried Will might be moving in on his territory! Will attends Columbia Falls Elementary School and is the son of Adam and Sara Somes.
BreAnna Beal, of Beals Island, took the top prize in the adult category. BreAnna sang a beautiful version of “Angels in Waiting” by Tammy Cochran. Beal will be graduating this year from Jonesport-Beals High School and will be going into the nursing field. But keep an eye on her; this talented young woman is going places. She also won the 2007 Jonesport Idol contest. She just might be headed for the real American Idol!
Taking second place in the Junior Idol was 7-year-old Shasta Sargent, of Steuben. She is the daughter of Dennis and Tammy Sargent. Third place prize went to 11-year-old Mystie McMannus, daughter of Charles and Cheryl McManus of Milbridge.
Adult Idol second place went to the rockin’ Knight Time Band. The “Fab Four” may no longer be Ringo, Paul, John and George. At Guagus they are Drew, Chris, Josh, and Jeremy! Drew Ramsay is the lead singer, Josh Smith plays lead guitar, Chris Larson plays bass/rhythm guiWill Somes, DownEast Junior Idoltar, and Ringo..no, Jeremy Looke is the drummer. The applause and screams they elicited from the audience brought images of the Beatles 1960’s performances! Winning third place was Mindy Reynolds who played guitar and sang a Traci Chapman and Mary Chapman Carpenter tunes.
Other popular performances during the evening included Everard Hall on the harmonica, Magen Merchant singing and dancing, the adorable 4-year-old Zoe Reynolds singing “Our Song” by Taylor Swift, and Vern Robinson with some old-time country music.
The Milbridge Area Merchants Association sponsored the event. Ticket sales and business member donations raised $2,875 for the Scholarship Fund. Folks got to enjoy a great night of entertainment and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time. Association President Phil Duggan said that organizers were extremely pleased with the turn out and the amount of money raised. “Now we can award a couple of decent-sized scholarships and still leave a sizable balance for next year so we don’t have to start from scratch,” he said. The group hopes to continue expanding the amount and size of scholarships awarded. This year, a student from Sumner Memorial High School and a student from Narraguagus High School will be awarded a scholarship.
“The support we have received this year from the business community and residents has been great and we really appreciate it,” he said.
Deserving extra accolades include the custodian staff at Narraguagus High School, who donated their time and custodial fees to the fund. Also, the many worker bees and organizers who made the event happen, including: Brenda Duggan, Brian and Sunshine Strout, Tom and Beth and Brian Flaherty, Leola and Savannah Carter, Jewel Strout, David Momme and Karen Perjon, Michael Chapman who let his fingers do the walking for many hours and raised hundreds of dollars. Special Sponsors of the event included Mark Wright Construction, K-9 Kamp, BaySide Supermarket, Parritt’s Auto Body, Robert & BJ Seymour, and Elmer’s. The Association also thanks the Downeast Coastal Press, Machias Valley News Observer, and County Wide for all the publicity that helped bring in the crowds. Also special thanks to the Narraguagus High School for hosting the event.
The group is reviewing and critiquing the event and hopes to have many improvements for an even better show next year. So, stay tuned…