Local contestants compete in Delmarva Idol Search contest
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – A preliminary American Idol competition was held on Saturday that allowed locals to compete for a ticket to perform in front of a casting director in New York City.
“Delmarva is a fairly small area, we’re a little off the beaten path, not in a major city so to have it right here where everybody can come to us is just a really exciting experience,” said Alissa Carr, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore acting vice president for University Relations.
The rising stars competed for a chance to share their stories and perform in front of a large audience.
“Four years ago, I was 86 pounds at 5 foot 8, and I almost died of anorexia,” said Rebecca Bristow from Selbyville.
“So having that horrible moment in my life, seeing how music could lead me out of it, I would love to inspire other young women,” said Bristow.
“In 2015, that was when I knew I wanted to be a singer because I was at a party having fun like teenagers and I was shot and injured so I thought I was never going to be able to sing again,” said Bradnesh Kearse from Salisbury.
“That’s what made me want to keep going, and they told me I was going to be paralyzed,” said Kearse.
The preliminary competition is fierce. Each singer is expected to sing a capella unless they plan on bringing their own musical instruments.
“They really want to hear the voice,” said Carr.
“They don’t want any instrumental, there’s no playing with the sound of the voice,” said Carr.
One high school student from Pocomoke City said the competition helped show her just how supportive the people in her community really are.
“Pocomoke is a very small town, a town where everybody is mostly happy, and they all wave at you when you drive by,” said Cedara Franklin.
“When my friends heard I was making it, they put me on the morning announcements and all I kept hearing going down the hallway was congratulation, congratulations,” said Franklin.
Event organizers also said that they hope the preliminary competition will help to highlight the many rising stars on the Delmarva peninsula.
The competition is all thanks in part to the 47 ABC team and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
