The next Milledgeville Idol is…

Isaiah Brown receives top honors at this years fourth annual performance

“In five minutes, Milledgeville Idol 2011 will begin,” an ominous voice announced to a sprightly Russell Auditorium. Several hours later, Isaiah Brown’s face would light up like an orb of happiness, walking away with a $1,000 check and recording studio time, but not before eight other mellifluous voices resounded beyond the stage.
Wearing a tuxedo vest, Milledgeville City Council member Phillip Joiner emerged to emcee for the fourth year running.
“This is my favorite night of the year,” he announced. “Tonight, you’ll walk away and say, ‘Wow, I had no idea Milledgeville has so much talent.’”
Accompanied by a multicolored backdrop and dramatic lights, all nine potential idols came on stage and opened with a choreographed number of “ABC,” by the Jackson 5.
The three judges, sitting at their panel, were introduced as Chuck Puckett, a Baldwin County teacher; Iona Pendergast, a GC theater professor; and the celebrity judge, Yonrico Scott, a Grammy-winning musician.
Following individual video introductions, each contestant took the stage. Anna Brock, a teacher at Baldwin County High School, sang first. Her selection, Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” was met with considerable praise; she took third place overall.
Senior marketing major Hannah Schumacher, in a red polka dot dress, took second place overall with her rendition of “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” which was sung first by Ozzie Nelson.  She was gesticulatory throughout her performance, as if she were reaching out, placing notes in the audience’s ears. Blowing kisses while walking off stage, she felt “groovy,” she said.
Taking first place and winning the $1,000 check, presented by Mayor Richard Bentley, was Isaiah Brown. He is hopeful the recording time will take him onward, to the next step. Dressed in a white blazer and white pants, Brown gingerly sang the soulful “Lately,” by Stevie Wonder.
“I was born to sing,” he said.
Other contestants included junior music education major Greta Pritchett singing “House of the Rising Sun,” by The Animals, as well as GC graduate Whitney Herman, with “Ready for Love,” by India Aria.
Of nine contestants, J’Barri Mar-Shall was the youngest to compete. Mar-Shall, 17 and a junior at Baldwin High, said he definitely “wants to come back, if no one from this year does.” Mar-Shall performed “Just the Way You Are,” by Bruno Mars.
After all the contestants had a chance to show off, an intermission followed. Audience members were asked to place their vote in a box with their favorite contestant’s picture on it. Directing audience members through the aisles were GC student ambassadors, serving as ushers for the evening.
While the votes were being counted, a battle of the sexes ensued, allowing the women and the men to each sing a song as a group. Joiner and two guitarists joined the men.
Closing the show, the ensemble was joined by last year’s winner, Jon Peeler, and runner-up, junior marketing major Haley Steele, singing a hopping performance of “Sing” by My Chemical Romance. As it reverberated through the auditorium, folks were out of their seats dancing. The performance found the contestants banding together, singing their hearts out, and proving their talent not only individually, but collectively as well.
“We all became a large family,” Schumacher said.
Joiner expressed his enthusiasm and satisfaction with the show’s end result. “I think we changed a few lives tonight,” he said.
Other songs chosen included Lionel Richie’s “Stuck On You,” performed by John Askew, Janis Joplin’s “Me And Bobby McGee,” performed by Diane Waddell, and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together,” performed by Deyontray Clark, who was also a contestant at last year’s Idol.
If you missed out on auditions this year, tryouts for the fifth annual Milledgeville Idol will be held in May 2012, and are open for ages 13 and older.