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18-Year-Old 'Lifts Up' Heartland Idol

Marc Valero/Highlands Today

Jared Beasley sings "You Raise Me Up" at Thursday's Heartland Idol qualifying round. The judges placed Beasley among the five qualifiers of the evening and the crowd responded making him the People's Choice winner.

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: September 13, 2008

SEBRING - The Heartland Idol qualifying round Thursday featured cute kids, a wide variety of tunes and singers, judges who were frank, but polite, and a crowd loving it all.

After a 30-minute wait to get the sound system tuned up, the performances started with the juniors, but those who didn't stick around until the end missed one of the best, Jared Beasley, who sang last in the Heartland Idol (adult) competition.

Singing Josh Groban's "You Lift Me Up," 18-year-old Beasley won the audience over, earning the People's Choice Award, which is judged by applause.

The judges also had their say on Beasley's performance.

Idol judge Melanie Boulay said, "I think you picked a good song; it's definitely a song in your range, but you were a little shaky tonight ... I do think you did a nice job, but I do think you need to work on the shaky parts of it and also your phrasing, because you were breathing in places you didn't need to and some of that is nerves."

Idol judge Jim McCollum said "the voice was great."

The crowd cheered and clapped in agreement.

McCollum added, "your stage presence was good every now and then you had to pull a nervous thing pulling your T-shirt, but the voice kept my attention away from that."

Beasley, wearing a gray T-shirt and weathered jeans with some rips, didn't win any style points.

McCollum said, "Young man what were you thinking when you picked out your wardrobe. Come on dude, that song merits a different ... now look at what you are wearing."

Following Kerry Mullis' rendition of "Unchained Melody," Idol judge and Sebring Mayor George Hensley complimented the 28-year-old on her voice, but took exception with her attire.

"I see a lot of blacks and dark colors," he said. "I think it would be better if some of the contestants realized that maybe less black and dark might project best. Jazz it up a little bit."

Mullis wore jeans and a black knit top with a turquoise design.

McCollum said "I thought the costume was fine, but you can sing and it was very enjoyable; welcome aboard."

Earlier McCollum expressed his approval of Brandi Flint's performance.

"I don't know how to give that extra point I give 'Amazing Grace' with your voice, it was incredible," he said to the 20-year-old.

Wearing a black cowboy hat and red long-sleeve shirt and jeans, Donnie Shaffer, 37, has a big presence like country singer Toby Keith, whose song "Angry American" Shaffer chose to sing.

Where Shaffer lacks in vocal pipes he makes up for with bravado.

Idol judge Rooter Rush said, "I think you are going to add some excitement to this adult division. That's why I had to give you extra bonus votes ... the right song at the right time and you did it with the right attitude."

The song was inspired by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The Heartland Idol, Junior and Teen Division performances were limited to 90 seconds and were done a cappella.

The Heartland Idol qualifiers and the songs they sang follow:

• Jared Beasley, 18, Frostproof, "You Lift Me Up."

• Sherri Lewis Bikar, 27, Sebring, "Hero."

• Brandi Flint, 20, Avon Park, "Amazing Grace."

• Kerry Mullis, 28, Plant City/Lakeland, "Unchained Melody."

• Donnie Shaffer, 37, Sebring, "Angry American."

The Teen Idol (13-17) qualifiers and their songs follow:

• Justus Martin, 15, Sebring, "Only You."

• Angelise Pintor, 14, Sebring, "Stand Up For Love."

• Lauren Robinson, 15, Sebring, "Amazing Grace."

• Mary Hazel Teope, 13, Avon Park, "I will Always Love You."

• Anthony Toler, 15, Sebring, "Light My Fire."

The Junior (12 and under) Idol qualifiers and their songs are:

• Faith Carnes, 12, Sebring, "This Is Me."

• Kalie Christian, 8, Sebring, "Tomorrow."

• Jennifer Moore, 10, Sebring, "Jesus Take the Wheel."

• Nala Price, 9, Sebring, "Ben."

• Leah Snell, 10, Sebring, "Ode to Joy."

• Talia Toussaint, 8, Sebring, "God Bless America."

The next Heartland Idol event will be held at 6 p.m., Sept. 25 with the junior and teen semifinals with recorded musical accompaniment followed on that evening by another qualifying round for the adults.

Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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