Singers shine at competition
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
CENTRAL AROOSTOOK SOLOISTS who earned their “golden tickets” Saturday night to the finale of the Northern Star competition March 17.
They are, from left: Megan Ouellette of Van Buren, Heather Rose of Caribou, and Allyson Plummer of Washburn. They will join the individual regional winners of the Houlton and Fort Kent shows to compete for the title of “Northern Star.” Formerly known as Aroostook Idol, the popular international singing contest, now in its ninth year, is a fundraiser for the United Way of Aroostook. Below, Josh Doughty, left, and Dan Rooney, both of Presque Isle, were the lone group act in Saturday’s central Aroostook Northern Star competition. Members of the local band Rooney & The Revolvers, Doughty and Rooney sang “Seven Mary Three” by Cumbersome. They advanced to the March 17 finale in Caribou to vie for the title of “Northern Stars United.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
SIXTEEN CONTESTANTS took to the stage Saturday night in Presque Isle as they competed in the United Way of Aroostook’s singing competition, Northern Star. Performing were, from left, front row: Robert Helstrom, Megan Ouellette, Heather Rose, Jamilynn Deschesne, Kianah Pelletier and Malari Page. Middle row: Michael Ouellette, Lance Albair, Yvette Stephens and Dan Rooney. Back row: Josh Doughty, Allyson Plummer, Stuart Wyckoff, Robin McLellan, Kent McLellan and Tim Heary. Now in its ninth year, Northern Star has raised about $200,000 to benefit agencies funded by the United Way of Aroostook.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Three brilliant, female soloists and one rocking, male duo received their “golden tickets” Saturday night earning them spots in the finale of the Northern Star competition later this month in Caribou.
Formerly known as Aroostook Idol, the popular international singing contest, now in its ninth year, is a fundraiser for the United Way of Aroostook. The second regional show — which this year featured only singers from central Aroostook — was held March 2 at the Presque Isle Middle School auditorium.
The top two audience vote-getters were Megan Ouellette of Van Buren and Heather Rose of Caribou. The judges’ wild-card pick was Allyson Plummer of Washburn. Dan Rooney and his friend Josh Doughty, both of Presque Isle, were the “group” winners of the local competition. The winners advance to the finale where they will compete against other winners from both the Houlton and Fort Kent regional shows. The overall group winner will be called “Northern Stars United,” while the individual winner will be the “Northern Star.”
The judges Saturday night were Sherry Sullivan, Jim Derosier and Jay Nelson. By audience applause, Nelson was selected to judge at the finale. The show was co-hosted by Jason Parent and Claudia Stevens, executive director of the United Way of Aroostook.
Ouellette sang “Anyway” by Martina McBride.
“Beautiful voice, and a perfect song choice. It’s a lovely song with an excellent message,” said Nelson. “You emoted the song beautifully. I thought the control of your voice — from low to high — was impeccable. To pull the power out in those higher notes and to keep it in control is awesome.
“Your bio says that you’re a nursing student,” he said. “I’m going to tell you, don’t only sing to your daughter and your future sons or daughters, but also sing to your patients because there’s healing in that voice.”
Rose, who sang in the very first Aroostook Idol and has since gotten married and started a family, performed “Someone Like You” by Adele.
“I thought it was beautiful,” said Sullivan. “Your voice is beautiful and that song was perfect for you. My advice to you as a mother of four is don’t stop singing. Find time to do it whether it be in the church choir, driving in the car or the Presque Isle Community Players. Great job!”
Plummer sang “Oh Darling” by the Beatles.
“I really enjoyed it,” said Derosier. “You had some good body language when you were singing which was fun to watch. There’s nice power in your voice and also you had good breath control. I enjoyed it very much.”
Rooney and Doughty, members of the local band Rooney & The Revolvers, were the only group act to perform in the Star City. They sang “Seven Mary Three” by Cumbersome.
“The harmonies were really cool,” said Nelson. “It sounds awesome. Keep doing it.”
Also competing in the central Aroostook show were:
• Stuart Wyckoff of Presque Isle, who sang “Mac the Knife” by Bobby Darin.
• Jamilynn Deschesne of Caribou, who performed “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” by Reba McEntire.
• Malari Page, 16, of Caribou, who selected “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane. Page accompanied herself on the guitar.
• Kent McLellan of Mapleton, who sang “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
• Kianah Pelletier, 12, of Caribou, who performed “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.
• Tim Heary of Caribou, who chose “Trouble” by Elvis.
• Lance Albair of Woodland, who sang “To Make You Feel My Love” by Garth Brooks.
• Robin McLellan of Presque Isle, who performed “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue.
• Robert Helstrom of Washburn, who sang “American Trilogy” by Elvis.
• Yvette Stephens of Presque Isle, who selected “Somebody Stand by Me” written by Cheryl Crow and performed by Stevie Nicks.
• Michael Ouellette of Westfield, who performed “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash.
• Dan Rooney of Presque Isle, who sang an original composition, entitled “Take Me Back.”
• Josh Doughty of Presque Isle, who performed “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead” by Jason Michael Carroll.
Also providing entertainment during the evening was Annie Charles of Limestone, who was crowned the 2007 Aroostook Idol winner.
The southern Aroostook show was held Sunday afternoon in Houlton and saw soloists Brandon Clark, Keegan Fitzpatrick, Amira Abouleish and Haven Rhoda advancing to the finale. Typically only three solo acts move on, but a fourth individual was added due to a scheduling conflict. In the group performance, there was only one act, a trio featuring Fitzpatrick with Stevie Shaeffer and Jackie Condon.
Solo finalists from the Fort Kent production were Emily Marin, Krystal Turton and Cory Stanley, all of Fort Kent. Alex and Anabelle Lemeiux, a brother-sister act from St. Joseph De Madawaska, New Brunswick, is the advancing group act.
The Northern Star finale will be held Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 and are available at all Key Bank branches and at the United Way of Aroostook office, located at 480 Main St. (third floor) in Presque Isle.
Proceeds will go to the United Way’s general fund, which helps support just more than 20 area agencies and other United Way programs. This year’s campaign goal is $480,000. Since the United Way of Aroostook launched the original “Aroostook Idol” fundraiser, it has drawn nearly 200 competitors to the stage. It also has raised about $200,000 to benefit agencies funded by the United Way in Aroostook County.
For more information on the Northern Star competition, contact the United Way of Aroostook at 764-5197.
