The local Kootenays’ Best Singer contests are all finished and all that’s left is the June 23 final showdown between 14 singers from seven different communities to determine who the Kootenays’ best singer for 2012 will be.
February’s first-place winner Matt Hansen and the second-place duo of Jesse Dumas and Jairus Stonehoue will represent Creston in the finals.
Contest producer Vern Gorham, has been on the road for most of April and May finishing up the final local singing contests in preparation of the finals. “The talent I’ve seen in the Kootenays has been absolutely amazing,” said Gorham. “The finals will be a night to remember, and there are 14 excellent singers who each have the opportunity of being crowned the Kootenays’ best singer for 2012.”
The prize for winning the competition, beside having their name associated with being the Kootenays’ best singer for the following year, is a package worth approximately $5,000 that includes $1,000 cash, recording studio time to record an original number, and a music video of the winner singing the original song.
The final contest will take place in Cranbrook at the Cranbrook Alliance Church at 1200 Kootenay St. N..
“The seating capacity of the church is over 1000, and the acoustics are amazing,” Gorham said.
Gorham hopes that many people from outside Cranbrook will venture over there to support their local singer as they compete against a very capable group of outstanding singers.
Hansen, Dumas and Stonehouse will compete against Cecilie Regen-berg and Gary Smith (Grand Forks), Tessa Van Der Holt and Marlea Lander (Nelson), Jessica Hyson and Kenny Harris (Rossland), Colin Lindgren and Katie Loughlin (Trail), Trena Spears and Connor Parnall (Cranbrook) and Victoria Walker and Devin Fikis (Kimberley).
Tickets will be on sale in Cranbrook at Lotus Books and Pages Books, and in Creston at Black Bear Books. Anyone who lives outside of those areas can email Gorham at verngorham@telus.net or phone 250-428-0305 to reserve tickets. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, children and students.
— KOOTENAYS’ BEST SINGER