The White Falcon - 15.10.1993, Síða 5

Local talent contest draws capacity crowd
$500 prize no joking matter for Joker
Clockwise from top left:
An overflow crowd of
youngsters watches with
enthusiasm as they sit on
the floor directly in front
of the stage.
Daniel Sherwood plays
a rousing song on his “git-
fiddle”.
Third place finisher,
Kevin Brown encourages
the crowd not to wait for
tomorrow during his per-
formance of the gospel
song, “Tomorrow.” (Photo
By J02 Carlos Bongioannl
The show was to start in lOminutes, yet the
theater entrance doors were shut. There sim-
ply was no more room to accomodate so
many spectators. In terms of attendance, the
USO/AT&T/MWR Countdown to Stardom
1993 was a great success at Naval Air Station
Keflavfk.
For three hours last Saturday evening, a
succession of 10 different acts took their
places upon the stage and displayed their
musical abilities before a packed audience at
Andrew’s Theater. When it came time for the
judges to cast their votes, the band Joker
came away with the top prize of $500. The
runners up were Perry Parmly and Kevin
Brown.
The Countdown to Stardom talent search
was sponsored at numerous U.S. military
bases overseas from Sept. 25 through Oct.
10. A video performance of the winners from
each base will be submitted to a panel of en-
tertainment industry judges. USO/AT&T
judges will reviewthe videos and select one
grand prize winner on or before Nov. 15.
Joker v/ms the overall grand prize they’ll
receive a $5,000 cash award and round-trip
coach-class air transportation to the United
States. There, the winner will attend a pi
conference in Washington D. C. and stay i
New York City a total of three days to partici-
pate in a recording session at a major record-
ing studio. Hotel accommodation and all
meals will be provided by AT&T as part of
the grand prize.
dted^^^
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by PH3 Don Kolb)
A|V(
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An overall second prize of $2,500 and an
lyerall third prize of $1,000 will also be
arded.
Originally, 18 contestants tried out for the
Countdown to Stardom show locally. Only
10 could compete on Saturday, so die con-
testants had to perform at a qualifying round
on the previous Wednesday to determine
who would be the 10 finalists.
According to the local panel of judges, the
selection process was extremely difficult
And, the judging was no easier Saturday
night when the 10 finalists performed.
Besides vocal and musical abilities, con-
testants were judged on their ability to get
audience participation. Each of the top three
finishers received thunderous applause and
cheers from the audience during and after
their performances.
Also performing on Saturday were Re-
becca Schwarting, Eric Eidemiller, Monique
Fenner, Emil Capili, Menillyn Wells, Daniel
Sherwood and Carlos Bongioaimi.
Each finalist was presented a teeshirt for
participating.
With mistrising from the
stage floor, first place fin-
isher Joker captivates the
crowd with their rendition
of “American Band.”
Second place finisher
Perry Parmly signs an
autograph after singing a
country tune entitled “If
Tomorrow Never Comes.”
Emil Capili drew many
cheers for his performance
of an old classic, “Some-
times When We Touch.”
The band Joker cele-
brates after receiving their
$500 check for taking first
place.
A teenager sings along
during one of the perform-
ances. (Photos by J02 Carlos
Bongioanni, except where noted)
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The White Falcon
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