BRIMLEY — Area residents packed Willabee's Restaurant and Lounge for the E.U.P. Idol finals, held Saturday, May 15. Karley McKee beat out the competition with her rendition of “Unchained Melody” to win the grand prize which included five hours of studio time at Lake Street Studio, a DVD karaoke converter, a karaoke DVD with over 250 songs, a $50 Willabee's gift certificate and a trophy.
Troy Church took second place with his performance of “Lovesick Blues” and “Jumbalaya.” He won two hours of studio time at Lake Street Studio, a $50 gift certificate from the Karaoke Shoppe, an EUP Idol sweatshirt, a 200-song karaoke CD, a $20 Willabee's gift certificate and a trophy.
The third place winner was Marlene Walsh who sang “Lady Marmalade” and “Ready to Run.” She won two hours of studio time from Lake Street Studio, six karaoke CDs, a $25 gift certificate from the Karaoke Shoppe, an EUP Idol sweatshirt, a $15 Willabee's gift certificate and a trophy.
The first place winners from each of the previous five weeks' contests were invited to compete — Kara Keller, Ruth Summerville, Tami Beseau, Marlene Walsh and Karley McKee. The sixth contestant, Troy Church, was chosen by audience vote.
The winner was chosen by a combination of audience vote and votes by the judges — Jim “Simon” McMillan from 101FM; Dan Harris, former entertainment director for Kewadin Casino and “Karaoke King;” Jim DiSanto from 101FM and Kevin Denker, local judge who works at Chippewa County Telephone Company.
It was a hard competition to judge, according the judges. There was no absolute, positive, hands-down winner each week, they said.
“This area has got some awesome singers ... and they all showed up,” McMillan said.
Contestants were judged on performance, song knowledge, how they worked the crow, confidence and how they controlled the microphone. As DJs for 101FM, McMillan and DiSanto said they judged harshly for mike control because every little mistake or over-emphasis of “b” and “p” sounds shows up in the recording, and they can't be edited out.
It took a little time for the contestants to get used to the format, the judges said. Judging worked just like the “American Idol” television show, where the judges critiqued each contestant after their performance and gave them tips for improvement. Most contestants took their criticism well, they said.
Willabee's owner, Pat Nichols, who came up with the idea for EUP Idol in April, said the contest may become an annual event.
“It was great,” he said, adding that the crowd seemed to have a good time and that he really appreciated the effort the singers put forth.
EUP Idol will gear up again next spring, but Nichols is looking at hosting a different style of contest in September. Tentatively dubbed “Willabee's Star,” the contest would have several winners who win the chance to record one or two songs for a CD. Nichols said he is still working on the specifics, but that it should be fun.
The first annual EUP Idol contest was sponsored by Lake Street Studio in Brimley, a state-of-the-art recording studio that offers recording, producing, digital editing and mastering. For more information, visit their website at www.lakestreetstudio.com.
All Good Soundz Entertainment ran the contest and the Karaoke Shoppe sponsored some of the prizes.
