SAFFORD — There’s just one spot in the 2023 Gila Idol finals left to fill following Thursday’s performances.
Judges selected Hunter Chamberlin to be in the finals following his performance of “Neon Moon” at call-back night at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve been doing Gila Idol a really long time and that’s an outcome I’ve always wanted and never really gotten,” Chamberlin said. “So I’m just really happy I could do my best tonight.”
The judges also selected five alternates: Rachel Flatt, who sang “Set Fire to the Rain”; Bethany Dixson, who sang “Love Me”; Garrett Morris, who sang “You Raise Me Up”; Kienna VanShaar, who sang “Come What May”; and Blanca Macario, who sang “Lovely.”
Judges for call-back night were 2017 Gila Idol winner Darryn Kamae, 2008 winner Adam Crohn and 2011 winner Sharon Montoya.
Viewers were also treated to special performances by Kelly VanShaar and 2016 Gila Idol winner Brianna Morris.
Now it’s up to the public to decide who gets the last spot in the 2023 Gila Idol finals, Thursday, March 23, at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
The performances of all the alternates selected at this year’s preliminaries can be viewed at GilaValleyCentral.net, and everyone can cast a vote on who should get that last spot in the finals. The top vote-getter will be announced the morning of Monday, March 20, on the Reed Richins Show on Kat Kountry 102.3 FM.
The winner of the March 23 will receive $2,000 in cash. Tickets for the finals can be purchased at Gila Idol 2023 Tickets in Safford, AZ, United States (ticketleap.com).
Sponsors for 2023 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Mack’s NAPA Auto Parts; Richard’s Music Co.; the Double R Bar and Grill; Freeport-McMoRan; Valley Furniture and Appliance; Tyson Richins – Edward Jones Investments; Swire Coca-Cola; Trophies ‘N Tees; Advanced Air Systems; the Graham County Chamber of Commerce; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
