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LONE STAR IDOL FIRST SHOW TURNS OUT GREAT
By King Arthur Prayther A King-Size View Dallas, Texas-The first annual Lone Star Idol show turned out to be a great evening. On Sunday September 18th, at the historic Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue, it was rocking with the fresh new sounds of many artists. Thanks to Marie Ornelas-Thompson and Darnell Smith we were happy to be involved with the contest. It was an excellent opportunity to meet some of the up and coming talents and also see some VIP performers who came to lend a hand to the new stars to be. Legendary Ernie Johnson came along and performed the title cut from his latest CD “I’m the one you need”. Johnson said after the event he certainly enjoyed the company of so many talented young people and the way they enjoyed being in his presence really warmed his heart.
As far as the contest went, clearly Jason Ashley won for his country and western song and Taylor Heard came in at a close second with her guitar and smooth sounding voice as well. Third place went to Crystal Cameron who had a good sounding group.
But it didn’t stop there as many other groups and acts took to the stage to show what they had before a live MTV audience. The VIP performers started out with Harpist Kristen Smith of Austin and let me tell you this girl can play. Then the smooth soulful sounds of Kera Noon known as Neutral Sister and her song ‘Together’ really got the crowd into a grove. The first act was Crystal Cameron who placed third with her song ‘Color My Life’. It was time for 11 year old Jade Nickol Hudson and the night was well underway. James Moradoll came up and did a medley of songs much to the delight of the crowd on hand.
One of the most interesting acts had to be Jokie Williams as she had her entire family on the stage. Her husband played bass while her daughter played drums and she played guitar and the other daughter played and sang as well. Back to the VIP performers as Stephen Pride the brother of the great Charley Pride singing a song called ‘You gave me a reason (to love only you)’. He also went on to sing a song called
“Perfect Picture”. It was certainly good to visit with Stephen Pride.
Sionely Psmoreno did a version of a song called ‘Baby do you mind’. A Spanish up tempo song got the crowd rolling again. Bella Nae sang the song called ‘Gimme’ which had a special ring to it and the host had to ask her about that one when she finished. By that time Dominic Bonsignmore AKA ‘Harmini’ did his rap song ‘Make you Proud of Me’; he dedicated it to his late mother and really got the feeling from the crowd. Hannelore Ester did an instrumental track without background vocals and kept the show going. Alyssa Martin had a somewhat smooth delivery to her sound came up next. Und J and Pinky did their thing next and took the show into the next break. Later on in the night E Mazin, a gospel rap act, took to the stage and got the audience going again.
next with his love songs as the Barbara Jordan graduate brought the house together with his words.
Darius Connor had his son Holy is the Lord gathered a lot of support from the audience. Duval Ave Maria was up next as the night continues and the acts just kept on coming. Petite Talent two little girls really got into a quality dance routine and many thought they would have finished at the top. Steven McClerkin sang a love song with his background and later said meeting Ernie Johnson made his night. One of the greatest performers of the competition was Taylor Heard, a smooth, classic looking, country girl who can play the guitar as well as sing. Heard finished second and told the audience she truly enjoyed the contest. She added she was raised playing the piano and starting playing the guitar at 12 years old.
called ‘King’ and brought some of the crowd to their feet. Then Jason Ashley won the stage over with his performance and had nearly a perfect score on all cards to win the contest. He too had a special feeling for listening to Ernie Johnson and who knows the two might actually hook up and do a duet. JaQuan Jones was up next and his version of ‘Dummy’ closed out the show of contests. While we were waiting on the votes to be counted Jose Luis Davila took the stage and did some Salerol and he did the Salsa and captivated the audience one more time. We made the trip to Dallas and back on the same day. Photographer Andre Odums and I got back to Houston around 2:15 am, but it was well worth it.
Ronyea Conner did his song
Gillian DeVout was up next and she had a very good voice and the audience liked what they heard from her. Chauncey Jones did his act with Disalvatore next. Another of my favorites was Sierra Dawn with another ‘Because of You’ a Kelly Clarkson song. The kid held her own and later admitted she was a bit nervous from the start. E J with Marie and son PJ
Official Watson came up next and rocked the house as one of the VIP performers on the show.
1st place Jason Ashley turning up the heat
Crystal Cameron got 3rd place for an outstanding performance
Houston’s own JMetro came up
Alyssa Eve Martin and 18 year singer
Stephen Pride brother of Charley Pride
Jade ickol an 11year old singer turns it out
2nd place Taylor Heard performing
Sierra Dawn 11 year old with super voice
- All photos by Andre Odums photography (713) 296-9111
Harpist Kristen Smith put on a great show
September 2011
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LONE STAR IDOL FIRST SHOW TURNS OUT GREAT
Official Watson a VIP performer
Bella ae gimme song was very interesting
Winner Jason Ashley (right) and Taylor Heard
Darius Conner gospel singer a big hit
Gillian DeVout
Gillian with Velencia King
EJ with Taylor Heard and Jason Ashley
Petite Talent really put on a show
Sionely Psmoreno an uptempo Spanish duel
E. J with Shena from Dallas
JMetro- a Houston native great show
Donomic Bonsignore AKA Harmini
Visit http://unsignedtexasartist.com/ for more information
eutral Sister performing
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LONE STAR IDOL FIRST SHOW TURNS OUT GREAT
Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann with King Arthur Prayther Oak Cliff rapper Gospel rapper E Mazin
Jose Luis Davila w/ Salero
Air man Calvin Spann with his wife Gwenelle
Hannolore Ester
Chauncey Jones to save a life
The Master, Ernie Johnson, gets on stages and performs
JaQuan Jones
James Moradoll had a good outing as well
First and second place
Crystal Cameron got third place for an outstanding performance
E. J and Steven McClerkin Jokie Williams Rolling along with her guitar
Jokie Williams and her gospel singing family
http://unsignedtexasartist.com/
September 2011
A King-Size View
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LONE STAR IDOL FIRST SHOW TURNS OUT GREAT The LoneStarIdol Search competition celebrated its 1st annual Texas Artist Music Competition at the Granada in Dallas, Texas. On September 18, 2011 a special presentation “September to Remember” Lone Star Idol Search – Texas Artist Music Competition- held one of Texas’ largest annual gathering of musical talent featuring an unprecedented day of celebration and musical performances with sponsors, vendors and a vast array of producers and record labels were at hand to the talent. The Competition featured some of the biggest names in entertainment including, Neutral Sister, Ernie Johnson, Salero, Official Watson, JMetro and Stephen Pride. Birthed in DFW, the competition will be held annually, each September, bringing more than 5,000 attendees to the Lone Star State and adding more than $200K to DFW’s local economy. Submissions were accepted through August 25, 2011 for the prestigious annual Texas Artist Music Competition, exclusively for the most talented, emerging music artist in Texas, The Lone Star State. This community-focused event was designed to showcase the most musically talented, while maximizing their exposure and jumpstarting their careers. Only the most talented competitors took the stage with their individual, show-stopping performances. This important step encouraged them to take their career to the next level, professionally. The Competition is essential to every music artist since it requires them to step outside of their comfort zone, while challenging their creativity, and excelling in their craft.
The 1st place winner JASON ASHLEY was much deserved, as he is a talented, American Country Music singer and music producer with the ability to excel and become one of the Nation’s top Country Artist. He has his own unique style of western music, bar-room ballads and honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional Country music. Mr. Ashley’s performance of his self published, soulful ballad entitled ‘Are you the One’ topped the judges voting tallies and was met with a standing ovation at the end of his stellar performance. Keep track of Mr. Ashley in the future for he is sure to impact the world with his music and producing. The 2nd place winner Taylor Herd (left) and 3rd place winner Crystal Cameron awed the audience with their leading performances. Ms. Herd’s country singing was crisp and showed amazing talent. Ms. Cameron’s (right) soulful singing of a self published song ‘So Real’ brought the audience to a new level of faith with her heartwarming, Christian-based ballad. All of the contestants that made the final cut and attended the event did not leave empty handed. They all were given gift cards and t-shirts from our sponsors. Furthermore, all were gifted a Custom-Designed Website to showcase their music and an online store to have the ability to sell and distribute their music and products . Their professional photographs were given at a discounted rate from our sponsor GKH Photography. This event is made possible through the contributions of corporate sponsors like Jalapeno’s
Grill –Allen Texas who provide financial support for this year’s competition. Many sponsors gave gift cards and products for our contestants. King Size View News traveled from Houston, Texas to cover the event. All of our Judges were outstanding, including Edward Helton and Jason Aguilar who shared their experiences in the music industry with all the performers. Blades and Shears and Yvonne Alford were exemplary with their styling and make-up artist ability for the Stars. Sean C. Brannon handled the production and stage with ease and expertise. Our Emcees Tiffany Hatchett and Valenceia King kept the audience on their feet. Shirley Walker-King, Chellie Feathers, Phoebe and Theresa kept the venue running smooth. We are looking forward to the 2012 Season (2) as we search the States for Unsigned Talent that is looking for a vessel to take them to next level in their professional career. A Special Thank you to all of our Contestants for being a part of our 2011 Season.