SAFFORD — Frank Adams dedicated to his wife his performance of “Can You Stop the Rain” at the Double R Communications Gila Idol 2022 finals Thursday at the David M. Player Center for the Arts. And, as he walked the stage, offering his passionate version of the song, he made sure to pay particular attention to stage right, waving and blowing kisses to his wife.
The only thing was . . . his wife was seated in the center of the auditorium.
That didn’t stop the judges from crowning Adams the newest Gila Idol.
“I just wanted to give a great performance, that was the main thing” he said. “I was going to leave it up to the judges; I just wanted to make sure I had a good performance.”
Adams, 69, said he’s been performing since he was 10, traveling the country with bands and singing in nightclubs. So he knew what he wanted to do on stage.
“You have to be able to entertain an audience, instead of just singing. You have to entertain them if they’re paying their money to come see you,” Adams said.
Adams earned $2,000 for his win, as well as the Gila Idol trophy from Trophies N’ Tees.
Taking a $1,000 second prize — $500 in cash and $500 to Richard’s Music — was Kamea Nelson, who sang “Rise Up.”
Third place went to Tyler King, who sang “Chandelier”; fourth was earned by Zalyie Widsor, who sang “Defying Gravity”; and fifth place was earned by Bella Campbell, who sang “Reckless.”
“We say it every year — but it’s true every year — that this was the most talented group we’ve ever had. We say that every year but I think it just gets better and better and better every year,” said Double R Communications owner Reed Richins.
Judges for this year’s final were 2008 Gila Idol winner Adam Crohn, who also gave a special performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”; and 2013 winner Jessica Kartchner and 2014 winner Olivia Jeffs, who sang a duet of “You Matter to Me.”
Also offering special performances were 2009 winner Theresa Campbell, 2012 Ethan McBride, 2016 Brianna Morris and 2017 winner Darryn Kamae, who also performed with partner Ryan Woodard with their band Our Island Style.