Following an Idol

Students sing out for winning title

Idols often are greatly and fanatically adored by hordes of fans who wear homemade T-shirts with phrases such as, "You Rock my Socks Off!" and carry signs with slogans such as "I want to have your babies!"

JMU students had the chance to become their own sort of campus idols at Monday night's JMU Idol II. About 200 students came to the Wilson Hall Auditorium to support the finalist who inspired them to the point of devotion and vote for this year's JMU Idol, according to senior Monica Flanagan, who created JMU Idol last year.

The BluesTones, an all-female a capella group, organized JMU Idol for the first time last year as a fund raiser to help pay for recording costs. Following suit after the "American Idol" television phenomenon, senior Monica Flanagan, a member of The BluesTones, decided to bring it back again this year. After rigorous auditions, only eight performers were selected to compete for the $150 grand prize.

The event's judges were Chris Carter, owner of the Artful Dodger, Meredith Weisse, director of Musical Acts for University Program Board and senior Ross Copperman, a musician who plays piano and is in the process of becoming a recording artist.

The contest consisted of two rounds altogether. In the first round, all eight contestants sang clips from different songs. The audience and judges then voted for their favorite contestant, and the best three went on to the second round. Freshman Lawton Tufts, and juniors Graham Cochrane and Shelby Giles went on to perform another song that showcased a different part of their vocal range. The audience and judges then voted again for the winner.

As for what the individual judges were looking for, Copperman said he thought the "sexiness factor" of each finalist was important, while Weisse said she was looking for performers' "star quality."

"I'm looking for someone with the ability to rouse up the crowd," Weisse said.

The battle began with a returning idol contestant from last year, junior Rachel Pierce, who belted out the "American Idol" classic "Miss Independent," sung by Kelly Clarkson.

Weisse was impressed, and said, "You have a bigger voice than Kelly Clarkson." Carter agreed. "This sister certainly can sing," he said.

Sophomore Philip Bernier followed with another American Idol standby, "Perfect Day," by Clay Aiken. Copperman liked Bernier's style, including his flipped collar, and Weisse complimented his Broadway-quality voice. carter's only compliment was directed to the accompanying piano player. Having made the first Simon Cowell-esque comment of the night, he reminded the booing audience that its collective vote was 50 percent, in addition to the votes of the judges.

The audience loved senior Jeff Jones' rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed & Delivered," but Carter dryly commented, "that package sounded like it got damaged in the mail."

Freshman Kirstin Riegler worked the stage and the crowd with The Supremes' "Can't Hurry Love." Copperman fawned over Riegler's performance to the point that Weisse accused him of having a crush on the performer.

Senior Kyle Busey transported the audience to the beach with his rendition of The Drifters' "Under the Boardwalk." All three

judges complimented him on his amazing voice and range.

In between rounds, the all-male a capella group Exit 245 and The BluesTones showcased their own idol qualities. Stacy Clayton ('03), last year's JMU Idol winner, surprised audience members by returning to dazzle them with her voice.

Freshman Lawton Tufts enchanted the audience with "Runaround Sue" by Dion.

"You're magically delicious," Weisse said, referring to how Tuft's attire — a green blazer — made him look like a leprechaun. It wasn't just luck that Tufts went on to the second round.

Cochrane, another finalist, played a guitar and sung Dishwalla's "Counting Blue Cars."

Weisse admitted her weakness for guys with guitars, and carter said, "You're truly talented and going to go very far in your music career."

Giles certainly cast a spell over the audience when she sang Etta James' classic, "At Last." The judges were in agreement that she had the whole package.

The competition was incredibly close, but Giles, a petite student with a big voice, took the JMU Idol crown home.

"This is my favorite thing to do in the world, to do it as a career would be ideal,"giles said.

Until then, she plans on using her prize to celebrate her up-and-coming twenty-first birthday — idol style.