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Highlands Today

'Sock Hop' Idol a trip down memory lane

Eight semi-finalists to compete Nov. 14

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By CHRISTY SWIFT

Highlands Today

Published: November 7, 2009

SEBRING - It was all about poodle skirts, saddle shoes and turned-up collars at Heartland Idol Thursday.

The 12 Heartland Idol semi-finalists came out for the last semi-final round, which narrowed the group down to eight. Contestants sang songs that were on the charts from 1950 to 1959, including tunes from Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole and the Everly Brothers.

The night was interrupted briefly when Idol founder and organizer Diana Walker passed out and was taken to the hospital with stomach flu symptoms. Walker checked in via phone from the hospital while Rob Viera from 911 Pain Management stepped in to run the computer so that the show could go on.

And go on it did, with the audience breaking out in spontaneous applause several times as the contestants sang the crowd's favorite songs from a bygone era.

Judges Mike Henry and Vickie Jones agreed that one of the best performances of the night was Amy McCoy's rendition of "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked a Cake," by Eileen Barton.

McCoy's costume made her look like the perfect 1950s homemaker, complete with blond wig, red and white polka dot dress, and white gloves.

Henry and Jones liked that McCoy researched hard to choose her song.

"She took us back to the '50s," said Henry, as the audience applauded its agreement. McCoy also won the People's Choice award, narrowly beating out Tiffany Elliott and Julie Temple.

The crowd broke into applause no fewer than three times during Tiffany Elliott's performance of "Only You" by the Platters. In a powder-blue poodle skirt and ponytail, Elliott came down from the stage to sing to judge Jim McCollum and audience members, hitting the "whoa-oh"s and garnering a standing ovation afterward.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," said guest judge Melanie Boulay.

Guest judge Mayor George Hensley added, "You hit the pitch right on and I liked the extra kick you gave to it. It was a really great performance."

Jarred Gravley showed up to sing "Wake Up Little Susie" by the Everly Brothers. At 19, Gravley lacked personal experience with a '50s era costume so he got some help in choosing his pink shirt with the collar turned up and rolled-up pants cuffs.

"I just asked my grandparents and they explained it," he said.

"You stepped out of your element," complimented Jones, who acknowledged that Gravley typically sings country. "I was worried that you would put a country twang on it, but you didn't."

Boulay remembered Gravley from the previous year's Idol competition. "From last year to this year you have come a long way. I am on the Jared train now!"

"It was a great song choice for your voice," added McCollum. "I didn't know there was a train, but I think I'm on it."

In addition to McCoy, Elliott and Gravley, five other semi-finalists moved on to the final Idol performance. Mark Brignoni sang "Johnny B. Goode" in dark shades and black leather, a performance McCollum called "tough to beat."

Shannon Marrero, dressed in a striped prison uniform, pulled an audience member out of her chair to dance during her performance of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock."

Amanda Mercer tackled a difficult song, "Secret Love" by Doris Day. Julia Newell won herself a spot in the finals with the Everly Brothers' song "Bye Bye Love," wearing authentic saddle shoes and providing her own harmony on the accompaniment CD.

Julie Temple rounded out the night with Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable," earning a burst of applause mid-song and a standing ovation by several audience members.

The Heartland Idol finals will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Sebring Circle following a full day of entertainment.

There will be no more Thursday night shows this year.

During Saturday's competition, the eight semi-finalists will sing a Jimmy Buffett song, after which the judges will choose five finalists. Those five will then sing a song of their choice and the Heartland Idol champion will be chosen.

For more information on Heartland Idol, visit www.heartlandidol.com.

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