SAFFORD — Normally, during the Gila Idol call-back night, one singer is selected to advance to the Finals.
However, due to a previously selected finalist having to drop out due to a scheduling conflict, the judges at Thursday’s preliminary at Tregaskes Hall were able to pick two. And it was Brenden Wahl and Blanca Macario who will have a chance to win the $2,000 first prize at the Gila Idol Finals, March 28 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
Wahl, who sang “Change on the Rise,” is the brother of Skai Wahl, who was selected to be a finalist at the first preliminary Feb. 2 at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.
“We’re trash-talking in the family, for sure. She’s going to go home second place, but she’ll at least get something,” Brenden said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Macario is a performer with Mariachi Corona de Morenci High School, and brought that experience with in her performance of “La Llorona.”
“I feel like it was a good song. Plus I had other people’s opinion on which song to choose from, and that was the most one that I got,” Macario said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The judges also selected five alternates: Camden Bryce, who sang “Ring of Fire”; Ayla Finch, who sang “Crazy”; McKay Griffin, who sang “Who’s Loving You”; Kirana Reed, who sang “Rise Up”; and Tyra Ellison, who sang “They Call the Wind Mariah.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Over the next week, the public will vote on which alternate should advance to the Finals. Voters can view the performances and cast a vote on GilaValleyCentral.net. The top vote-getter will become a finalist.
Judges were 2008 Gila Idol winner Adam Crohn, who opened the night with a duet with guitarist Cody Hoopes on “Hallelujah”; 2018 winner Pete McCormick; and 2023 winner Zaylie Windsor.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Tickets for the March 28 Finals are now on sale at Gila Idol 2024 – FINALS Tickets in Safford, AZ, United States (ticketleap.com).
Sponsors for 2024 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Richard’s Music Co.; Trophies ‘N Tees; Freeport-McMoRan; 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; The Venue & Vignette on Main; Valley Vision; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
