TRAVERSE CITY -- Kelsey King wants to try out for the American Idol television program one day. For now, she'll have to settle for the National Cherry Festival version: Cherry Idol.
"I just really like to sing," King, 13, said. "I'm really glad to have the opportunity like this."
King was among more than 60 participants in the first Cherry Idol. Event coordinator Heather Johnson said it was the success of American Idol that prompted Cherry Idol's addition to the festival schedule.
"American Idol is such a popular show," Johnson said. "We have a good amount of people signed up this year, but we hope that now that people know about it, there will be even more next year."
The event was split into three age groups: Youth, ages 6 to 12; Teens, ages 13 to 17; and Adults, ages 18 and up. After Wednesday's auditions, judges Dawn Michelle, from the Williamsburg Dinner Theater, Jamie Laferriere, from Bill Marsh Saturn, and Shannon Sitek, a former Cherry Festival Board Member, narrowed the field to three from each age group.
Those performers will compete in Saturday's finals, with guest judge and special performer, Miss America Kristin Haglund.
Sitek expects those who make it to the finals to step up their game.
"We want them to take the comments we gave them today and come back even better," Sitek said.
In a nod to American Idol judges, Sitek refers to herself as "Simon," Michelle as "Paula" and Laferriere as "Randy," though she said she "could be meaner."
"We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings," she said.
"It's loving criticism," Michelle added.
The judges might not be as harsh as American Idol's Simon Cowell, but they did offer occasional critiques on song choice and contestants' anxiety.
"You can't let the nerves get to you," Michelle said. "You've only got one shot. Own that stage. It's your area to take control of."
As she prepared to sing her song, Kelly Jones acknowledged being a bit nervous, yet confident.
"I always get a few butterflies before I perform, but I should be good," she said.
King didn't let the nerves get the best of her in her performance of "You Say" by Saving Jane. The judges said she has "a nice quality to her voice."
King was pleased they liked her performance.
"It felt really good," she said. "I was nervous that they wouldn't like it, so I was really glad they did."
National Cherry Festival
Print this story
E-mail this story
