Kayla Kershaw sang a cappella when her CD malfunctioned for her "Mama's Song" by Carrie Underwood. Kayla overwhelmed the crowd with her rendition.
There was dancing in the streets as Encore entertained the Greer crowd during their first set Friday.
A big crowd showed up for the first Tunes on Trade and Greer Idol competition of the year Friday night at Victoria and Trade Street.
Michael Bishop and his son, Colton, await mom, Caroline, and sister, Stella, cross Victoria Street.
The first night of Idol Teen, held before the performance of the featured band Encore and Greer Idol, went smoothly with a big crowd assembled at Trade and Victoria Street, where the stage was placed this year.
Kershaw’s performance, according to the judges, was the best of the eight finalists. When her CD failed to play, emcee Mike Lowery offered Kershaw the option to pass and advance to the second week’s competition. She declined and performed a cappella.
City Councilman Wylie Bettis, a judge who also performs with his own band, the Jaguars, said he was impressed with Kershaw’s performance. “Kayla was a no brainer,” Bettis said.
“The kids are never dazed, there’s so much around in music. She can teach herself stage presence and performance,” Bettis said.
Anna McCleer opted to perform Janice Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz” using bongo drums for the beat. The crowd loved it and responded with clapping to the beat. McCleer said she knew she had won over the crowd with her performance.
“I knew I had them when they were clapping,” McCleer said with a wide smile. “When they were clapping, I knew I had them in the palm of my hands,” McCleer said.
Mike Lowery, the emcee for Greer Idol and Teen said, “I am impressed with the teens and their talent.”
Greer Idol and Idol Teen are products of the Greer Cultural Arts Council. The eliminated contestent will be announced later this week.
This week’s contestants and the songs they performed:
Megan Watts
“A Little Bit Stronger” by Sara Evans
Trinity Sparks
“Our Song” by Taylor Swift
Alexa Rosenfeld
“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus
Anna McCleer
“Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin
Catherine Warren
“Let ‘er Rip” by Dixie Chips
True Heaven Heflin
“Listen” by Beyonce
Jonathan Harper
“Look After You” by The Fray
Kayla Kershaw
“Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood
