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It's Heartland Idol Time Again

By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: September 4, 2008

SEBRING - Get ready to clap.

The first of eight Heartland Idol competitions starts tonight at 6 at the downtown Circle.
Don Elwell and David Flowers will take turns hosting the regular Thursday night competetion for Junior, Teen and Heartland Idol singers, which finishes Saturday, Nov. 8.

Founder Diana Walker joked Wednesday about the possible interruption today from a tropical storm or hurricane.

"The only Hanna I want to see is Hannah Montana songs," said Walker. "I want no rain."

Local Cohan Radio group stations and the Highlands Today Web site, at www.highlandstoday.com, will announce if a show has been canceled by 5 p.m., the night of the show.

Elwell is excited about changes to the event that typically attracts more than 1,000 spectators to the final night's performance.

"We have never been more prepared for a season of Idol than we are this year," said Elwell. "And we have twice the number of applicants as we ever had before."

New For 2008:

•Rather than seven judges, this year, five will judge. Each week there will be a celebrity judge, including Richard Hensley, editor of Highlands Today, and Sebring Mayor George Hensley. The other judges will be Jim McCollum and Melanie Boulay, both of Highlands Little Theatre, Vickie Jones, of News-Sun, and local personality Rooter Rush.

Elwell hinted that a "Simon" and a "Simeone" might add a bit of zest with constructive criticism.

•The event is "Going Green" with environmentally friendly tips and prizes, plus onsite recycling, an event first.

•Three theme nights will force some competitors to stretch from their comfort zone and into new territories during semifinal rounds.

The Oct.16 shows will feature Top 40 hits from the year a contestant was born. The night of Oct. 23 will highlight Top 40 Motown songs and the Oct. 30 music will be a thanks to Disco innovators, the Bee Gees.

•The first song by each contestant for the Nov. 8 finals will be patriotic.

•Raffles with prizes, including T-shirts, and a 50/50 raffle, will help keep the crowd involved.

•"The Idol Dog" will make its debut tonight. At $3, this foot-long, half pound slab of beef, with chili and cheese, should be enough to keep everyone's tummy from growling. Brats, nachos and a larger variety of drink selections will also be offered at a nominal charge.

•The performance requirement was dropped and the Heartland Idol winner will collect $2,000 in cash. Teens and juniors will win gift cards of $500 rather than savings bonds.

Go to www.heartlandidol.com for more information.

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

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