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Triad Idol winners announced

Monday, June 1, 2009

(Updated Wednesday, June 3 - 9:10 am)

By Gerald Witt
Staff Writer

The singing contestants who made it to the final round have already proved that they’ve got the pipes.

So Sunday’s Triad Idol finale at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro was good for hearing local singers shoot for $1,000 each, paid performing contracts and a studio-quality portrait photo shoot.

Three age categories — kids (8 to 12 years old), teens (13 to 18) and adults (19 and up) — competed in the contest modeled after the television show “American Idol.”

“I think that the word is getting out; people are talking about it with friends and on Facebook,” said Eleanor Schaffner-Mosh, vice president of marketing for the Community Theatre of Greensboro, which holds the annual fund-raiser, which is in its fifth year.

Performers progress through three rounds after auditions.

There were 14 contestants in each age group. Jordan Beaver of Shelby won in the kids’ division, singing “O Mio Babbino Caro”; Anna Belle Lusk of Cornelius won the teen category with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”; Niccole Stephens from High Point won among adults with her performance of “I Believe in You and Me.”

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Lynn Hey (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Niccole Stephens, a High Point mother of seven, is congratulated by Justin Oliver (left) and audience favorite Bobby Pittman as she is named the 2009 Triad Idol in the 19-and-older division.

Additional Photos

More online

Photos from the event

What do you think?

8 comment(s)

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tgraham28@triad.rr.com

June 1, 2009 - 9:37 am EDT

There was definitely a lot of talent in the competition this year; probably more so than last year. But, the last time I checked, neither Shelby nor Cornelius were in the Triad. It seems a little unfair to me that the "ringers" from other parts of the state travel long distances in order to take the prize from true Triad kids. Maybe they should consider changing the name of the competition to Metro/Triad Idol or North Carolina Idol; it would seem more plausible for someone from the Charlotte area, and beyond, to win the competition, then. I guess since it's Community Theatre, though, they'll take the money anyway they can get it (through valid audience voting, of course).

ClimbingUphill

June 1, 2009 - 3:50 pm EDT

I totally agree. There was someone from GEORGIA in the finals. If I were a local person who didn't make it over someone who lived in Georgia, I would be upset. The competition should either have stipulations as to where entrants can live, or undergo a name change.

flyingforfun

June 1, 2009 - 5:24 pm EDT

I disagree. So many talented kids and teens and adults.. what a great way to raise money for CGT. All the judging was fair and everyone who participated should have a fair chance of winning.. Enjoyed the performances very very much!! I drove from close to Charlotte and didnt have a kid or anyone I knew in the competition but stayed the whole time and really enjoyed it...

Keeping the talent just locally will restrict the amount was raised..

ClimbingUphill

June 2, 2009 - 10:55 am EDT

That's alll good and well, flyingforfun, but it shouldn't be called TRIAD Idol if half the people participating aren't from the Triad.

tgraham28@triad.rr.com

June 2, 2009 - 3:19 pm EDT

Good point. In the kids' division, 5 of the 14 finalists were from outside of the Triad --- Shelby, Concord, Cornelius, etc. Two of those 5 finished 1st & 2nd; those 2 had obviously had some kind of vocal training ($$$) in the past and I doubt very seriously that this is the first time either one of them had won some kind of competition of this type. My child has been in the Finals the past 2 years, but, just doesn't stand a chance against kids coming from all over the state with their vocal coaches and affluent parents. Mine does this for fun, not because Mom & Dad can afford to ship him all over the state to be in talent competitions that we happened to find on Google. Once again, the contestants were phenomenal as were the winners, but, if you're going to name the competition after the Triad area, lines should be drawn and rules should be made, otherwise, take the word Triad out altogether.

flyingforfun

June 2, 2009 - 11:30 pm EDT

tgraham, you sound like your upset your kid didnt win. I didnt have anyone in this competition yet I enjoyed everyone who chose to stand on stage.. What nerves!!! Yet you sound like you are upset because some kid outside of Greensboro won. Most of these kids are normal kids, just because some are better singers, every kid has their own unique talent. I remember your kid and eventhough vocally your kid didnt match up with some of the other kids, you kid was absolutely fantastic and I even gave him a standing ovation.. I loved his stage performance!! But dont put down other kids because they are gifted and may not live as close to Greensboro as you do. Your comment about $$$ was an in your face comment which I really think was a little to harsh. Every kid should have vocal training if he plans to sing, at an early age a kid can really destroy their voices beyond repair. Again I really enjoyed your kid!

tgraham28@triad.rr.com

June 3, 2009 - 8:36 am EDT

As I said in my previous comment, I thought all of the kids were awesome, but, I just feel that if a contest is based on the TRIAD, it should only pertain to the TRIAD. And no, I am not angry my child didn't win (3rd place might have been nice); I am honestly just proud that he was able to make the finals again. The Triad is made up of approximately 12 counties and Mecklenburg isn't one of them --- that's all I'm saying. It shouldn't be called Triad Idol if it's not gonna be represented in future endeavors by Triad residents.