Evergreen country idol contest

For the last three months, hundreds of people have stepped up to a karaoke microphone in hopes of winning a chance to compete at the Evergreen Country Idol Contest.

According to CJ Fox, president of The Karaoke Store in Everett, during the last three months nearly 100 establishments in Washington held first-round contests. The winners from that competition will compete at the Cowboy Country Bash finals on Thursday, Sept. 1, when several judges from the music industry will judge them on vocal ability, song delivery and showmanship. Judges include Richard Gibson, of CV Speakers and American DJ, a guitarist who has opened for major bands; Tony Riccobono, who played with Rock ‘n’ Roll groups including the Ventures and Kingsmen; and Mike Poe, a lead guitarist and vocalist who appeared with Heart and other popular groups.

In addition to $1,000, the winner will perform on stage during the Phil Vassar and Sara Evans concert. The second place winner will receive $500 and third place will be awarded $250, and one will perform the National Anthem to open the races at the Evergreen Speedway.

Another competition is for younger entertainers. The American Idol – Kid Style invited performers 15 years old and younger to compete. STAR 101.5 radio, the promoter and producer of the event, has narrowed the entries down to 15 contestants and two alternates. The finalists will perform at the fair in front of a panel of judges at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27.

However, other talented youths interested in competing can enter the contest during the fair. STAR 101.5 will randomly draw the names of five entries at approximately 3:30 p.m. The winners of the drawing will then be asked to perform on stage with the semi-finalists.

The winner will receive a $1,275 scholarship provided by John Roberts Powers Talent Agency and will also open for the Raven Symone concert on Aug. 31. Second place winner will receive $100 cash, third place will receive $50, and they both will receive two CDs from STAR 101.5.

Watching the young singers is always a thrill for Fox. “Once they had a 4-year-old that sang. Cute as a bug’s ear, she was. Her song was four or five minutes long and she just kept going and going. And last year, there was an 8-year-old kid named Cody. He sang “Who’s Your Daddy” with an attitude – had a big belt buckle and everything.”