Warm up those vocal chords. Auditions for the Real Second Annual Cortez Idol competition kick off next week.<\/p>\n
Hosted at Blondie\u2019s Trophy Room in downtown Cortez, the singing competition is modeled after the hit television show, American Idol. Billed as the Four Corners\u2019 hottest singing competition, the event includes two weeks for auditions followed by a six-week elimination style competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to another fun year,\u201d said event organizer Patty Simmons. \u201cThe first place winner gets a $1,000 cash prize.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simmons, who serves as one of three judges for this year\u2019s competition, said the first round of auditions kick off on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The second and final round of auditions follows on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Auditions start at 8 p.m. on both nights.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone can sign up to be a contestant,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cThere are no age limits.\u201d<\/p>\n
The youngest contestant from 2012\u2019s inaugural Cortez Idol competition was an eight-year-old boy. Last year\u2019s winner was 16-year-old Brianna Sanchez of Dove Creek.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best part about winning was not the prizes,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat amazed me were the little girls who asked if they could hug me and kiss me on the cheek.\u201d<\/p>\n
During open auditions, contestants are limited to five minutes to sing the song of their choice. During the six-week competition, weekly themes will require contestants to sing specific songs. For example, one week will be all Elvis Presley tunes, and another week will nothing but Beatles songs.<\/p>\n
\u201cContestants will have to learn a new song for theme nights,\u201d Simmons said.<\/p>\n
After auditions, the top 15 contestants will move on to compete in the weekly karaoke-style themes. Throughout the competition, contestants will be whittled down each week. Once the top five are chosen, contestants will no longer be allowed to read the lyrics on a karaoke screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want the best showman,\u201d said Cortez Idol host P.A. Jackson. \u201cWe\u2019re looking for someone who can stand on stage and belt it out. An entertainer.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the final week of competition, the top three contestants will compete for the $1,000 cash prize. The winner will be chosen based on judges\u2019 scorecards in combination with the audience favorite.<\/p>\n
No entry fee is required to enter the competition, but pre-registration is encouraged. Contestants can sign up at Blondie\u2019s Trophy Room, located at 45 E. Main St., or they can register on Facebook by searching and joining the 2nd Annual Cortez Idol event page.<\/p>\n
Competitions will be held weekly every Wednesday evening at Blondie\u2019s Trophy Room.<\/p>\n