Idol winners announced
By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT Writer
The 2007 Franklin County Idols were announced after the final competition held at the Roxy Theater Saturday night.
Ethan Farr, a 7th grader at Vina, was named Idol for the Middle School Division, and Sarah Leslie, a Junior at Red Bay, was named Idol for the High School Division.
Six contestants from each division were invited back for the final competition held Saturday night. Contestants were judged on six sections including song selection, stage presence and tone quality, John Pilati, Master of Ceremonies and chairperson for the event, said.
The performers chose a wide variety of songs to perform for the competition, including "Fire and Rain," "Over the Rainbow," and "God Fearing Women."
Each contestant was asked a question or two after performing while the judges make their notes.
Pharr choose to perform gospel songs for both the preliminary event, held last Thursday, and the finals Saturday night. During the interview, Pilati asked Farr about his song selection.
"I just want everyone to have fun," Farr replied to the question.
Leslie decided to perform the same song for both portions of the competition. She sang the musical tune, Popular. Leslie told the crowd after the performance that she wanted music to be part of her future career.
Leslie is also apart of the nationally recognized FFA Quartet at Red Bay High School. Last fall, Leslie and the other three members performed the National Anthem at an Indianapolis Colts home game – the same Colts that won the Super Bowl last Sunday.
Both Pharr and Leslie were awarded a prize package worth $500, and will be the opening entertainment for upcoming Roxy events including the upcoming performance of Showdown.
"This was our first year, and we hope to make this an annual event," Pilati said. "All the proceeds go to benefit the ongoing renovations at the Roxy Theater."
The Roxy Theater is used as a venue for special events and concerts, and is among only a few theaters used in the 1950s when movie theaters were very popular. There are only a handful of theaters like the Roxy still in use today.
