With the days winding down for the Aroostook Idol finale at the Caribou Performing Arts Center this Sunday at 2 p.m., local “Idol” enthusiasts may be wondering who will take the title.
Aroostook Idol, mimicking the format and judging of the most popular television show in America, Fox television’s American Idol, raised $35,000 for the United Way of Aroostook last year and is estimated to raise $40,000 this year, according to United Way representative, Claudia Stevens.
“We have 70 tickets left. It’s definitely going to be a sold out show and is going to sell out early,” Stevens said.
Contestants auditioned in Fort Kent, Houlton and in two Presque Isle events this year, rounding out the finalists to 12. Whether they hail from Frenchville, Limestone, Woodland or Mars Hill, these contestants have sets their sights on Jessica Boutot’s title.
Boutot is Aroostook Idol 2006, and hails from Fort Kent. Last year, she won judges and audiences hearts with her rock and roll voice and brilliant smile. She will be in attendance on Sunday to help introduce the new Aroostook Idol to the county and to hopefully perform one last time as Aroostook Idol 2006.
Contestant Aubrie Daigle, 20, of New Canada sang “Go Light Your World” by Kathy Troccoli at the northern Aroostook Idol competition, garnering her a golden ticket for the finals. Pam Cyr, 38 of Fort Kent sang ‘Take it Back” by Reba McIntyre and Adam Ouellette, 18, of Frenchville, came back this year to win over enough votes to make the finals with his rendition of “Angels” by Robbie Williams. These are your northern Aroostook finalists.
Night one of the central Aroostook Idol semi-finals welcomed Julie Curtis, 26, of Chapman to the finalist’s circle with her song, “It Hurts so Bad,” by Susan Tedeschi. Annie Charles, 46, of Limestone cascaded into a finalist’s spot with “Lord, You are Holy” by Helen Baylor and Julie Shaw, 23, of Westfield made a final impression with her choice, “Call on Jesus” by Nicole C. Mullen. These are the first half of your 2007 Aroostook Idol finalists.
Night two saw Danielle Lane, 14, of Woodland with a golden ticket in her hand, thanks to her performance of “When There was Me and You” by Vanessa Hudgens. Erin Buck, 15, of Caribou came back for the second year to win a place at the 2007 finals with “Baby Girl” by Sugarland and Jessica Guyan, 15, of Easton won a second golden ticket at the semi-finals with her performance of “At Last” by Etta James.
Southern Aroostook semi-finalists include Brandon Clark, 13, of Houlton who sang “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride, carrying him swiftly to the finals this Sunday and Jarad Carney, 29, of Mars Hill was a “Hero” with his choice. His rendition of the Enrique Iglesias song won him a top spot at the finals as well. Nick Hovey, 15, of Houlton wrote his own song called “God’z Answer” under pseudonym Ace Hov and also will be standing tall on Sunday at the Aroostook Idol 2007 finale at the Caribou Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m.
For tickets or information on Aroostook Idol or the United Way of Aroostook, call 764-5197.
