SAFFORD — Add three more to the list of finalists for the 20th Gila Idol vocal competition, following Thursday’s preliminary at the Manor 415 Event Center.
Elayne Hatchett, who sang “When We Were Young,” said having previously auditioned last year helped with this performance.
“I just felt more confident about this year, now that I kind of know what they’re looking for,” Hatchett said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Mariah Tuerr sang “My Immortal” to earn her first trip to the finals.
“It was great,” Tuerr said. “I always have fun doing anything singing related. I’ve always loved singing.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Jenny Barentine will be making her third consecutive Gila Idol Finals appearance, after her rendition of “Two Black Cadillacs.”
“Whenever I was in the finale, the judges told me to broaden my range. So I just decided to do a song that would better show what I can do,” Barentine said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Three singers will get another chance at making the finals, when they perform at call back night at the Trekasges Theater at the David M. Player Center for the Arts on March 13. They are Rhiannon Rose, who sang “Who Knew,” McKay Griffin, who sang “Blue Suede Shoes,” and Marie Nicholson, who sang “I’ll Stand by You.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The judges also selected one alternate, Marlee Redford, who sang “Rise Up.” An alternate will be selected at each preliminary and, in the week before the finals, the public will vote on the performances on GilaValleyCentral.net. The top vote-getter will become a finalist.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Judges were 2008 Gila Idol winner Adam Crohn, who opening the preliminary with a performance of “Fly Me to the Moon, 2016 winner Brianna DeRusha and 2018 winner Pete McCormick, who closed the night with a performance of “Just Got Started Loving You.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed on the Gila Idol 2025 page at Gila Valley Central.
The next preliminary will take place Thursday, Feb. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at OneAZ Credit Union. Admission is free.
Sponsors for 2025 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Richard’s Music Co.; Trophies ‘N Tees; Freeport-McMoRan; Pepsi; Mack’s NAPA Auto Parts; the Double R Bar and Grill; Valley Furniture and Appliance; Tyson Richins — Edward Jones Investments; the Graham County Chamber of Commerce; OneAZ Credit Union; Manor 415 Event Center; Keyhole Properties; Apache Gold Resort and Casino; the Matheson Music Foundation; Valley Vision; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
