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Local divas square off at Emerald Coast Idol
By Franklin Hayes Splash! Magazine
 | | Adult Emerald Coat Idol contestants (from left) Michael Burnett, Ashley Vinzant, Kyle Waldon, Amanda Brewer, Elisha "Ely" Adams, and Ashley Krasinski pose for pictures outside the Saenger Theater in downtown Pensacola. |
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Every person has a different interpretation of the American dream. For some, their proverbial piece of the American pie is embodied in a simple homestead, steady career and loving family. For others, true self-actualization is found only in musical stardom and life in the spotlight.
Locally, 40 aspiring performers are hoping to have their careers kindled by the first annual Emerald Coast Idol competition. The contest mimics the always-popular American Idol with preliminary auditions, a panel of judges and a live elimination show, but is run independently by Pensacola resident Rachael Morgan. The 40 contestants have been whittled down from a pool of a couple hundred applicants through a grueling series of auditions, and have been separated into two categories: Junior and Adult. Each of the finalists will be featured on a compilation CD that will be available locally. Music stores such as Harris Music and Sound and Tringas Music will carry the CD that will feature each performer individually.
 | | Gulf Breeze/Pensacola Beach contestants in the Emerald Coast Junior Idol competition are Kayla Goliwas, Maddie Mateer, Michelle Burton, Kendall Parrett and Derik Lawson. All are competing at the junior level, which will be at the 1 p.m. matinee November 11 at the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola. |
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Five of the Junior Idol finalists hoping to impress audiences and judges alike are from the Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach areas.
The Emerald Coast Adult Idol contestants are: Ashley Vinzant, Jim Howard, Shelly Bonet, Deborah Fenton, Kriss Ridgway, Colecta Johnson, Ashley Krasinski, Ashley Murcko, Tina Burkett, Trevan Bowman, Kyle Waldon, Amanda Brewer, Elisha "Ely" Adams, and Michael Burnett.
The Emerald Coast Junior Idol contestants are: Destiny Howard, Megan Otteni, Savannah Green, Kendall Parrett, Kelton French, Ashley LaCoste, Dante' Streater, Michelle Burton, Maddie Mateer, Shanarial Johnson Derik Lawson, Miguel Aldahondo, Chad Laboy, Tanya Gallagher, Lauren Rector, Nicole Ponder, James Adkins, Kayla Goliwas, Kylie Conner, Ginny Corley, Melissa Welch, Sydney Yeager, Riley Sparks, Isabella Smith, Brittany Cole and Kate Hollarbush
Contestants will face stiff competition during the finale show Nov. 11 at the Saenger Theatre in Pensacola from the likes of "Black Elvis" and others. Michael Burnett, also known as Black Elvis, has performed under his alternate alias since 1988.
Pensacola resident Kyle Waldon believes his all around showmanship will win over the audience.
"I'm an all around entertainer," Waldon said. "I sing, play guitar, and tell jokes like their going out of style."
Although not directly competing against Black Elvis and Waldon, Kayla Goliwas, 15, believes her stage presence and unique rendition of the Broadway show tune "Popular" will win her votes in the junior competition.
"I play to the audience and sing songs that are very audience involved," Goliwas said. "I don't just sing, I get their attention."
One winner from the junior category will receive $1,250 in cash and a full-length studio album courtesy of Rex Recording Studio. The adult winner will walk away with $5,000 and a recording package valued at $5,000. Tickets for the event range from $22 to $35 and are now on sale at the Saenger Theatre box office and are going fast. You must be present to vote for your favorite contestant! All proceeds from the event will benefit The Humane Society of Pensacola and Rebuild Northwest Florida.
"It opens the door for any of the contestants due to the fact that the collection CD will already be known in the community. They will have name recognition," Morgan said.
For more information visit www.emeraldcoastidol.com.
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