Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend July 14, 2006 Bryan Evans takes advantage of an opportunity to perform in Thursday night's Southern Oregon Idol program, and earned himself a appearance in Saturday night�s finals with a rousing rendition of the BeeGees� Going for the gold By BILL VARBLE Mail Tribune By all rights, a skinny guy with a country twang singing "Desperado" should fall on his face, big time. The song embodies a particularly pungent mix of schlock and '70s excess and was even the subject of an irreverent "Seinfeld" episode. But Scott Perry sings it like it's from someplace deep. Sure, the dude from Brookings is stiff, jabbing at the air occasionally with the hand that doesn't hold the mike. But that doesn't matter. He sings with bedrock conviction and makes it his and builds to a big climax and the crowd goes nuts. And then there were eight. Sixteen "American Idol" hopefuls went into Thursday night's semifinals at North Medford High School and sang their lungs out before their number was winnowed and cut by half. The contest is for singers, karaoke-style, with lights and fog and a sound system. It was '70s night, the only night in the long competition with a theme. That meant The Eagles and Van Morrison, and it meant The Captain and Tenille and Pat Benetar and Olivia Newton-John. It meant soul and funk and platform shoes and melisma-mania. The event started last month with more than 100 singers, sponsored by KMVU-TV. Eight finalists will go for the gold at 7 p.m. Saturday, with the winner — the Southern Oregon Idol --going on to try for a trip to the Fox TV show on national television. Some of the singers talked backstage before the competition. Byan Evans, 27, of Medford, talked about picking the iconic disco number "Stayin' Alive." "It's my favorite song to sing," he said. "If you have the range, exploit it. Shaney Johnson is hitting high Cs." Rachel Sandeen, 24, of Grants Pass, was set to sing Van Morrison's "Moondance," a song with decidedly deeper lyrics. She sang in a band before her daughters claimed her time, but she can still see herself singing professionally. "I'd love to pursue it," she said. Megan Skudstad, 25, also of Grants Pass, chose Tommy Page, L. Russell Brown and Michael Jonzun's "Shining Star." She sings in church and in a band with a retro, '70s theme. "It's always been in my mind," she said of a singing career. As the contest gets under way there's upbeat chatter from master of ceremonies Katie O'Grady, screams of adulation from the audience and lots of positive feedback from the four judges. Tolerance and affability are the notes of the night. Even remarks directed at singers' shortcomings are phrased with kid gloves. No villainous Simon Cowells here. And the talent was in fact surprisingly good. Among the outstanding performances by press time were Perry's big turn at "Desperado," Fawn LeDesma's convincing rave-up on "Love Will Keep Us Together" (a very silly song by The Captain and Tenille), Kelsey Weaver's sassy, intimate "Lean On Me" and a powerful all-around performance by Shaney Johnson, who has not only a quality vocal instrument but the nearest thing on view this night to the moves and poise of a pro. In the end, these eight singers will move on to the finals Saturday night: Bryan Evans of Medford; Michael DePuglia of Grants Pass; Shaney Johnson of Ashland; Emily Marshall of Medford; Lauren Minter of Grants Pass; Scott Perry of Brookings; Megan Skudstad of Grants Pass; and Kelsey Weaver of Medford. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Ashley Furniture HomeStore