Idol Contestants Honor 'The King'

SEBRING - It was all sequins, jumpsuits and sideburns as 12 semifinalists fully embraced the music and dress of Elvis Presley during Thursday's Heartland Idol competition on the downtown Circle.

But it was more than just gaudy belt buckles. The distinctly American music of Memphis and Las Vegas entertained an audience of 350 well-wishers and music enthusiasts.

Organizers required 12 semi-finalist singers to perform one of Presley's 118 Top 40 hits. Several chose one of Elvis's 18 No. 1 hits.

A winner from eight finalists chosen Thursday will take home a $2,000 first prize ( half is tied to performance bonuses) with $500 for second, and $250 for third place. The final round is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10.

Intermittent rain showers didn't dampen the spirits of either performers or the large crowd. Some took refuge under nearby awnings of businesses on the Circle, but most simply stuck it out.

Emcee David Flowers kicked off the festivities by impersonating Elvis, with special lyrics written for the occasion.

Flowers prefaced each song by noting its chart position and release date, along with minutia and trivia which likely educated both longtime Elvis fans and newcomers.

Ten females and two males worked the crowd into a frenzy. For the most part, ballads and slower tunes ruled the night, and the audience sang along to several favorites.

Eighteen-year old Christopher Allen could become the first contestant to win both a Teen Idol award and the Heartland Idol competition if can convince judges in less than two weeks.

Allen performed a stirring version of "If I Can Dream," a song written in the wake of the Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. assassinations.

"If I can dream of a better world

Where all my brothers walk hand in hand,

Tell me why, oh why can't my dreams come true?"

(lyrics and music by Brown)

Allen said after the show that his singing and stage presence had improved a "whole lot" while he was simply doing the "best I can."

He said that the attention and applause was like "an experience out of this world."

Allen said he almost skipped this year's Heartland Idol competition until urged by a friend.

"The song speaks of equality - a heartfelt song," said Allen. "When I first heard the words, I said I had to do something with this song."

The eight finalists in the order which they performed on Thursday were, Carrie Adkins, Christopher Allen, Jessica Herrera, Shawn Knowles, Amy McCoy, Julia Newell, Amy Roposa and Tina Smothers.