Doug Allen, 2011 Greer Idol runnerup, and Wally Dressen share congratulations at the end of tonight's Greer Idol 6 performances.
What does Idol contestant Ryan Wilson look like without his sunglasses? Like this. Wilson had a strong following during her performance tonight.
Greer Idol contestants draw for their singing positions. Jeremy McCall, who returned from a week's vacation at the beach, was hoping he wouldn't get the No. 1 draw to sing first. He did.
Tonight's judges panel, from the left, were: Sheril Turner (Anderson Life Magazine), Rhonda Rawlings (107.3 JAMZ), Elizabeth Simpson (Greer Children's Theater) and Wayne Griffin (City Councilman).
Lauren McCall took over Trade Street and most likely signed, sealed and delivered arguably the best performance to date of the 2012 Greer Idol season tonight.
McCall took her act to the street and entertained the crowd performing “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. She had the spectators clapping and stomping their feet and judges bobbing to the beat.
The judges were overwhelmed with her performance and musicality. “It was hard to judge because I wanted to get up and dance,” said Elizabeth Simpson, Greer Little Theatre. Sheril Turner, Anderson Life Magazine, said, “You did it girl.”
Lauren and her husband, Jeremy, arrived just in time for their performances. They vacationed at Myrtle Beach last week with their two children.
Jeremy, drew the unenviable first starting position, and sang “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge. He drew favorable accolades from the judges, too. “You made Percy Sledge proud,” Wayne Griffin, city councilman said. “You really can sing. The feelings came out in that song, it was beautiful,” said Simpson.
The six candidates will be pared to four for next Friday’s competition. Three weeks remain in the competition. Next week’s theme is movie and show tunes.
Voting online runs through Monday at noon.
Ryan Wilson, wearing his trademarked sunglasses, sang “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire and drew the most entertaining judges’ comment tonight from Griffin. “The next time someone asks you why you wear sunglasses tell them, ‘My future is so bright I’ve got to wear shades.” Rhonda Rawlings of 107.3 JAMZ said, “I loved it, I loved it, I loved it. I want to hear it all over again.”
Wally Dreesen selected “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green. Rawlings told Dreesen, “It showed you put your whole heart into the song. You did a great job.” Simpson said Dreesen, “had very good vocals.”
Brittany Pridemore performed “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner and also worked the crowd, starting slow and finishing fast. “You rolled down that river,” Turner said. Griffin smiled and said, “It takes a lot of energy to do that song. You also have a great voice.” Rawlings told Pridemore it was, “A great performance.”
Doug Allen did all he could to keep his emotions in check singing “Groovy Kind of Love” by Phil Collins. He dedicated the song to his wife, Kim. “I barely held it together on stage,” Allen said. The judges concurred it was a touching performance. “The performance was so wonderful and so smooth,” Turner said. Griffin summed it up saying, “It sounds like you’re in love.”
Greer Idol’s performances tonight were:
Jeremy McCall
“When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge
Brittany Pridemore
“Proud Mary” by Tina Turner
Wally Dreesen
“Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green
Lauren McCall
“Sign, Sealed and Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
Ryan Wilson
“September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Doug Allen
“Groovy Kind of Love” by Phil Collins
