ARLINGTON — Kathy Brainard, 56, didn’t think she had the voice to win a singing competition.
But she had the moves.
Brainard, who has performed in Las Vegas casinos and with several rock-and-roll bands, twisted and shouted her way to first place in the inaugural Arlington Idol contest at the city’s street fair Friday.
After opening with a lively rendition of Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Brainard, who lives in Arlington, belted out the country tune “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” to win the $150 first-place prize.
“My strategy was I don’t have the voice, so I figured I would just have fun and try to sell the songs,” she said.
More than 100 people were at Legion Park at the start of the singing competition. As the sun dipped in the clear blue sky, the crowd of people seated on blankets, on benches and in lawn chairs grew.
A dozen singers performed in the event. The second-place finisher took home $75, and the third- and fourth-place finishers were given certificates for either a free hourlong massage or an eight-week yoga class. The prizes were donated by the businesses of the event organizers, Kara Keating and Maryrose Denton of Arlington.
“We’re very pleased,” said Keating, after watching her daughter sing onstage. “I think it’s so great the community came out and got involved. I think people are really enjoying it.”
The first to take the stage was Ashley Toolson, 19, of Marysville. Rather than sing a recorded song, Toolson freestyled onstage with her guitar. She sang about the bright sun and the audience. She changed up her rhythm, singing faster, then slower — sometimes loudly, sometimes softer — strumming or pounding her guitar strings accordingly.
“I’d rather be jamming, it’s not necessarily performing,” Toolson said. “It’s more of an expression.”
The event was fun for Angela Faro, 29, of Arlington who performed briefly on the real “American Idol” show.
In 2005, Faro won an audition and sang in front of the show’s judging panel. Oddly enough, judge Simon Cowell — known for his sharp tongue — was the kindest with his criticism, she said.
“My style is usually rock and goth, and I think I was just a little too much for them,” Faro said.
For a few seconds, Faro was even shown on television during a montage of would-be contestants singing “I Will Survive,” she said.
On Friday, Faro took the stage and sang “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt.
She didn’t win, but she had a blast.
“I like to sing for people, once I get past the nerves part,” she said.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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