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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels August 9, 2004 DeLuz takes second in 'Idol' By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings In the end, the best performance of the evening didn't count. The finals of the first Southern Oregon Idol started in controversy but ended on three high notes as the final three in the competition, Ashland's Kennie Lee DeLuz, Grass Pass' Kelley Chaffee and Jacksonville's Paige Comer saved their very best for last. After all was sung and done, it was Chaffee, singing Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," who won the judges over and took home the opportunity to perform in front of one of Fox's American Idol producers in Las Vegas. DeLuz finished second and Comer grabbed third place. DeLuz was thrilled to finish second as she and many of the other contestants felt second place was the better prize. Second place is a $1,000 scholarship to attend the International Modeling and Talent Association's 2005 Convention in Los Angeles. More than 400 talent scouts and modeling-agency representatives will be on hand to see and hear those looking for their big break. The prize was awarded by judge Teresa Farmen, owner of IMD Image and Modeling Development in Medford. The competition got off to an inauspicious start, with three of the seven competitors taking a huge risk and stepping out with songs that did not necessarily fit their style. Unfortunately for them, most of the judges didn't get it. After seven performers had sung their first songs, an intermission was called. Audience members began shouting that only seven of the eight performers had sung. It was only at that point that it was announced that 16-year-old Ashland High student Shaeny Johnson had decided not to compete any further. But in a very unpopular decision, and one questioned even by the judges, Johnson was allowed to sing her slow song during the second round. Each singer had to sing one ballad and one uptempo song before the judging began. Her decision not to compete turned out to be what could have been the biggest mistake of her young life. Her performance was spectacular. Unfortunately, due to her decision, neither the judges or the audience looked upon her performance favorably, responding with polite applause and even some indifference. It was explained before she sang that she was more interested in preparing for her Sunday audition for a role in a production of "Pirates of Penzance." Some backstage also noted she did not prepare a fast song for the evening's competition. The second round saw all seven hit their high points, with DeLuz receiving an extended standing ovation for her rendition of Houston's "Saving All My Love For You." DeLuz didn't think she could hit the final high notes in the song. "I was really worried about that last note," she said. "I was like crap, crap, crap and then it was there." It was clear she was the overwhelming audience choice. But in the end, it came down to a judges' decision - and that went to Chaffee. DeLuz was overwhelmed by the experience. "This was the most awesome experience I have ever had," she said. "This way surpasses fun." DeLuz performed the song "More To Life" as her first number of the night. It was the first time she had ever sung the song, learning it Friday night. By doing so, she took a huge chance, one that ultimately may have cost her first place. "I had to sing a fast song and it was one I liked," she said. "But I was so scared to sing it." KTMT-FM Beat 93 program director and afternoon drive jock Casey Baker said the station became involved, along with Fox 26 Television, when both had the same idea to crown a Southern Oregon Idol. He said the competition was an overwhelming success. "I didn't expect to sell out the Craterian four nights in a row," he said. "American Idol is a huge success on television. I never expected it to be this big a success here. And I didn't think the talent level in this area was this good." As for DeLuz, she thanked the audience for her success. "I am a really shy person and I have never felt comfortable on stage before," she said after the show. "I think the crowd really helped a lot and they really hyped me up for the show." She hopes to pursue a career in country music or Contemporary Christian music. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams