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Click Here for a recap of all the 2007 Senior Idol performances!
The 2007 title-holder of PA State Senior Idol is … Diane Wilson of Harrisburg! On-Line Publishers, Inc./50plus Senior News held five regional auditions throughout the month of April and three semi-finalists were selected from each location. These 15 semi-finalists advanced to the finals held at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre on Monday, June 11, each one hoping to win the title for 2007. Diane Dayton of Dayton Communications emceed the evening’s entertainment. Returning celebrity judges were RJ Harris, morning host for WHP 580; Janelle Stelson, co-anchor for WGAL TV 8; and Adrian “Buddy” King of the former Magnificent Men. Familiar with artistic abilities of last year’s contestants, the judges knew the difficult task that was before them. There was formidable competition amongst the semi-finalists, starting with Esmeralda Hetrick who began the show with a vivacious rendition of I Will Survive, to Richard Lake, who never lost the beat throughout his recitation of Casey at the Bat. Audience members were treated to a comedy/instrumental performance by Jay Megonnell, who was very funny and adeptly played two trumpets at one time. After each presentation, the judges expressed their opinions of the performance, always on a positive note. Buddy King, the musician, generally remarked on the mechanics of a musical piece – the complexity, genre – and stage presence; Janelle Stelson eased the tension of the performers with her quick wit; and RJ Harris offered his humorous comments. Having had a dress rehearsal the evening before, each semi-finalist knew they had to be “on,” and they were. The audience loved each and every performance, choosing their favorites along the way and hoping they would make the final three. This round, though, was the judges’ choice. They chose Juan Palocious, who intoned and tenderly dance-stepped to Nuestro Juramento (Our Oath) in his native tongue; Chris Roda, who has a stunning, trained opera voice, belted out You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Diane Wilson, who sang I Will Always Love You, a song that everyone knows is one of the most difficult songs to replicate … but did. Each of these finalists then performed a new routine. At the conclusion of these performances the audience took part in voting for who they would like to see named PA State Senior Idol 2007. Palocious came back with a beautiful rendition of And I Love Her, this time sung in English; Roda ever so gently began, crescendoed, and softly concluded The Lord’s Prayer, amazing the audience once more with his exquisite voice; then Wilson stunned the audience … again … with a powerful vocal performance of I Am Changing, for which the audience gave her resounding applause. The audience presented their choices for winner, and after the ballots were tabulated and combined with the official judges, the winner was named – Diane Wilson was announced and the audience enthusiastically applauded their approval. The evening ended with Wilson singing I Will Always Love You, which yet again had the audience on their feet. PA State Senior Idol is one more way On-Line Publishers, Inc/50plus Senior News is Redefining Age! |
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