By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY
christopher.tuffley@newssun.com
SEBRING -- Those who have passed up attending the Heartland Idol until now should rethink that decision Thursday. The new venue at the Highlands Family YMCA improves the sound quality tremendously, and having an actual floor means there is more room for comfortable seating.
Don Ewell and David Flowers have polished their master of ceremonies patter and keep the evening flowing.
But what makes this year's contest out of the ordinary is the quality of the singing.
There are individuals among the semi-finalists who have the talent for professional careers.
"Miraculous. So gifted. So talented. You have a future," judge Larry Moore told Mary Hazel Teope.
"Don't doubt," judge Vickie Watson told Erin Sena. "You can sing."
For the show Thursday Watson says the contest will ride on song choice. "Pick a song that matches your voice. Pick a song that you can own."
With only eight semi-finalists, Diana Walker, the heart behind the Heartland Idol, made a "founder's decision" and changed the way the finalists are chosen.
Instead of eliminating singers, each will sing in both semi-final rounds. The two scores will be added together and the top five scores move on to the finals. A perfect score for a single perfomance is 200.
Don Elwell, told the contests to focus on getting to the finals. "Remember you don't have to be first. You just have to be in the top five," he said.
Adam Meredith ends the first round with the highest score, 164. Johanna Johnston had the lowest score of 110. She has an amazing voice, however, and depending on song choice is not out of the running. Both Meredith and Johnston act and sing with the Highlands Little Theatre.
Lindsey Sears earned 147 points; Ashley Nicole Elder, 147; Mary Hazel Teope, 140; Gary Johnson (who built a small pier from which he sang "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay") earned 137; and Erin Sena, 115.
The Heartland Idol offers a lot this year. Great entertertainment, a comfortable venue (just bring a chair), fundraising food for sale, and admission is free.
The YMCA is at 100 YMCA Lane, just off Hammock Road. The show starts at 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 16, 2013 - www.newssun.com/031713-ct-IDOL