'Idol' watch party a big hit in Greenbrier
GREENBRIER It was thumbs up for Kris Allen's performance Tuesday night as more than 100 fans watched a big screen television set up at the Greenbrier City Event Center.
The fun for young and old started outside with a concession stand featuring extra-long hot dogs on a stick and funnel cakes. As smaller youngsters lined up to climb the inflatable rock wall and giant slide, teens and adults mingled, talking with excitement about the upcoming event, and munching on the goodies.
Inside the Community Room, a giant television was readied for the American Idol television show. Prior to the show start, people signed their good wishes in a good luck booklet printed by Linnprint Printing to be sent to Allen for encouragement. Local entertainment was provided by a young singer, Bailee Elkins, 16. She is a sophomore at Greenbrier High School and plans to audition for American Idol next year.
Y107.1 radio announcer J.R. Runyon from their "Morning Ride" show hosted the microphone and encouraged the crowd to, "Vote early. Vote often. It's the Arkansas way."
He gave enthusiastic instructions on how to program their phones with the correct number so as to dial in their vote at the end of the show. The huge television screen was provided by Audio Express of Conway and the cable hook-up by Alliance Communications Network. Tracey Barren of Barren Productions came from Vilonia to provide the mobile D-J and audio hook-ups.
Kris Allen performed second on the show to loud applause. The show was celebrating "Disco from the 70's Era," and Allen was "ready for the big time" in Randy Jackson's words. Allen took a real risk and sang an arrangement of a Donna Summers song, "She Works Hard for the Money." It paid off as the judges praised him saying, "Amazing. You know who you are and are ready for the big time."
Kara Dioguardi said, "It sounded like it could go on your record." Paula Abdul called his song arrangement a "classy Santana feel" and said he showed originality and is a real contender. Simon Cowell said, "It was original, well thought out, not karaoke and a fantastic performance." He was gently teased about taking a song usually sung by a woman and making it his own.
Of the six other contenders who performed, Adam Lambert, singing "If I Can't Have You," was also lavishly praised. The judges all agreed he "connected emotionally." Cowell said, "You did something we weren't expecting with immaculate vocals." Allison Iraheta also got a "brilliant performance" from the judges. Danny Gokey received comments like, "I'm kind of worried about you" from Jackson and "no star power" from Cowell. Matt Giraud gave a good performance but Abdul said, "You pick songs like I bowl sometimes gutter balls, sometimes strikes." Although the judges were kind in their remarks to Anoop Desai, Cowell felt he was "mediocre, at best" and was "your worst performance by a mile." Abdul complimented him on his handsome suit with a pink vest and tie, saying, "Real men know how to wear pink." Lil Rounds' performance was not received well by the judges. Cowell remarked, "This may be your final shot."
Scott Linn, owner of Linnprint, and sponsor of this successful event was recording parts of the occasion. Inspired by his employee, James Johnston, 17, to fund this event, they worked hard to rally lots of donated support. Johnston goes to the same church, New Life Baptist, as Allen and said he is trying to rally a homecoming concert for Allen at the church when he comes home. A 50 city tour is planned by American Idol with the top ten vocalists and will kick off in Portland City, Ore., on July 5, 2009. More information can be found on their Web site at www.americanidol.com.
Other supporters with donations for this event were: Papa Don's from Springhill gave scrumptious cookies. Doug and Jennifer Drawbaugh of Space Walk of Conway donated their huge inflatable slide. Todd and Tammie Patton of Todd's Grill Guy donated a part of their proceeds and Diamond Ice gave the ice.
Prizes were awarded to the following people from the raffle: Heather Aich won a Y107.1 T-shirt; Sidney Mulllins won a Daisy-A-Day florist gift certificate; Gabriel Beaston won dinner for two at Roper's Restaurant; and Jackie Mahan and Stephanie Ward each won giant Kris Allen banners printed by Linnprint Printing.
Desai and Rounds were voted off Wednesday night, leaving the top five, including Kris Allen, for next week's American Idol. Linn is already tentatively planning a much bigger event for next week.