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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-05-30, Page 28Page 28 The Huron Expositor • May 30, 2007 News Amanda Van Miltenburg is the Seaforth Idol Six singers vie for title in Lager House competition meant to showcase local talent Susan Hundertmark ®® The winner of the Lager House's first Seaforth Idol competition says she's just singing for fun. Amanda Van Miltenburg, 21, of Seaforth, says that while friends and family urge her to enter the Canadian Idol contest, she's not looking for a career as a profession- al singer. "It'd be fun on weekends but I don't think I could do it full-time. I get stage fright too easily," she said after her win Friday. Judge Dave Clark, a professional musician living in Ipperwash, told Van Miltenburg that any signs of stage fright were absent during her Friday performance. "You just keep getting stronger. You got rid of your inhibitions and just opened up and that was won- derful to see," said Clark. "I really think you have celebrity qualities and you could really make it. Seaforth should be proud of you," he said, praising her rendition of a Bonnie Raitt song, "Something to Talk About." "I saw Bonnie Raitt sing that song in Atlanta, Georgia and she sure didn't do it with the punch you did," he said. Coming in second in the contest of six finalists was Mike Francis, of Seaforth, who was called "brilliant" with "excellent control and timing," by the judges. "You sure are a happy man on stage. You're a pleasure to watch and you have a smile that would light up the North Pole," said Clark. Clark said he enjoyed Francis's rendition of Lionel Ritchie's "Easy Like Sunday Morning" which was smooth but "still the gravel in your voice is there." Coming in third was Casey Van , Bakel of Seaforth. Van Bakel was told by the judges that he seemed comfortable on stage and picked two hard songs by singing the Beatles' Eleanor Rigby and Yesterday. "You have to be a singer to sing Yesterday," said Clark, who added he thought Van Bakel would be bet- ter with a band behind him. The other three competitors were Victor Moses, of Seaforth, Chris Mabb, of Mitchell and Scott Wilson, of Clinton. Moses was told he picked songs that suited him. "You sing with conviction and you make the songs believable," said Clark. Judge Tammy Graham told Moses to practise bringing his voice down into his diaphragm more. Wilson was told he had "Meatloaf tendencies" with "an edge and a sense of rebellion" in his singing. "I can see music is your life. You reminded me of Joe Cocker the way you get into a song. You're a real blues singer," said Clark. Mabb was told he was influenced by Hank Williams and encouraged to let his own style develop. "The more you sing, the more your own voice will come out," said Clark. The Seaforth Idol contest was held after a conversation between Lager House owner Donna Ellis and Heartfelt Music teacher Kim Souch about how to create more opportuni- ties for local performers. The third sponsor was Archie's UPI. "We wanted to give people anoth- er opportunity to get out and per- form because you need to do that as Amanda Van Miltenburg much as possible if you want to be a singer," said Souch Friday. "We had an amazing bunch of tal- ent here tonight and all very differ - Susan Hundertmark photos nt," she said. Ellis and Souch said a junior Seaforth Idol could also be held this summer. Mike Francis Casey Van Bakel Victor Moses Scott Wilson Chris Mabb