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Heartland Idol Contestants Do Motown

Bill Rettew Jr./Highlands Today.

Donnei Shaffer, of Sebring, blew out the sound system while singing a Temptations tune during "Motown Night" at Heartland idol competition, Thursday, on the Downtown Circle.

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: October 25, 2008

SEBRING - Most everyone in the audience for the second semi-final round of Heartland Idol knew it was going to be a special night when Donnie Shaffer, the night's first singer, blew a fuse and knocked out the sound system.

As dark skies threatened, emcee Don Elwell saluted 350 "brave souls" who risked a rainout, and voluntarily chose to miss at least part of the second game of the World Series in favor of watching home grown talent on "Motown Night."

The sound system performed without breakdown the rest of the evening and the crowd collectively tapped their feet to music made popular from 1959 to 1972.

Since the first week of qualifying, the judges had hammered it into the consciousness of every competitor and regular Idol audience member to dress like a star - to wear it well - and every contestant on Thursday night at the downtown Circle took heed.

Most of 12 women wore long flowing gowns, while four men singers dressed the part.

"Everybody is definitely stepping it up in the wardrobe department tonight - it's a wardrobefest," quipped Elwell.

Probably no one present - except for founder Diana Walker who deservedly served Thursday as a judge for the first time this year - exemplified the spirit of Heartland Idol competition more than Ken Frank Hardy.

The 59-year-old Sebring resident wore a borrowed polyester leisure suit that was likely first worn more than 26 years ago when Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder changed music forever.

Hardy has competed in each of the first five Idol seasons and had his eye on the $2,000 first prize.

A crowd favorite, Hardy once broke into the top 20 and qualified as a semi-finalist. Next Thursday, for "Bee Gees Night", he will battle it out against just 11 other semi-finalists.

Thursday, the oldest performer still with a chance to win the ultimate Heartland Idol 2008 bragging rights, sang a Temptations song, "My Girl."

"You don't win if you don't try, and I sure keep trying," said Hardy. "It's like the lottery, if you don't enter, you can't win."

Minutes after exiting the makeshift stage, Hardy said it was exciting and thrilling to perform for such a receptive audience.

"It make you feel happy and gives you a sense of accomplishment and joy," said Hardy. "It makes you feel you're worth something and sends a chill up and down my spine.

"I'm kind of shocked that they like me."

Judge Rooter Rush declared early on that the second round of semi-final competition was a "chance for everybody to shine."

The singers showed little nervousness, and for the most part, judges agreed, song selection brought out the best of each performer.

Semifinalists: Donnie Shaffer, Sebring; Michelle Rogers, Sebring; Andrew Nicholas, Sebring; Kerry Mullis, Plant City; Sara Michaud, Sebring; and Amy McCoy, Sebring.

Other semifinalists: Shannon Marrero, Lorida, Darian Jesse, Winter Haven; Ken Frank Hardy, Sebring; Jarred Gravley, Frostproof; Leslie Bass, Sebring; and Cheryl Ancrum, Sebring.

Audience members are encouraged to come in costume to the third and final semi-final round, Thursday. The finals will take place Saturday, Nov. 8.

Prepare for disco music to take center stage. It's likely that Hardy will not be the only competitor wearing polyester for Bee Gees Night, Thursday, on the Circle at 6 p.m.

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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