SAFFORD — On a night filled with fabulous singing, one singer stood out.
The judges selected Madeline Cundari as the 2026 Gila Idol champion, following her rendition of “Love Like This.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
“My first thought, honestly, is gratitude. I’m so grateful I was able to do this tonight and come back and do better than I did last year,” Cundari said.
Cundari receives a trophy designed by Trophies N’ Tees and a check for $2,000 from Double R Communications.
Second place, with a trophy and a $500 gift card to Richard’s Music, went to Ky Brimhall, who sang “When I Look at You.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Third place, with a trophy and a $200 gift card to Richard’s Music went to Hunter Chamberlain for his performance of “Supermarket Flowers,” which he dedicated to his mother.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Fourth place, with a trophy and a $100 Richard’s Music gift card, went to Sam Colwell, who sang “Friends on the Other Side.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The fifth-place trophy was presented to Jenny Barentine, who sang “Remedy.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The social media contest — where fans can vote for their favorite performing — was won by Brimhall. She took home a basket filled with items donated by Pepsi, Gineveve’s Marketplace, Richard’s Music and more.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Judges for the evening were 2025 Gila Idol winner Timothy Fox, who opened the show with a performance of “Falling”; 2013 winner Jessica Curtis, who performed “So Easy (To Fall in Love)”; and 2008 winner Adam Crohn, who sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
During judges’ deliberations, the audience was treated to performances by The Baxters, including 2016 winner Brianna Baxter; 2018 winner Pete McCormick; 2009 winner Theresa Campbell; and 2017 winner Darryn Kamae.
Sponsors for 2026 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Richard’s Music Co.; Trophies ‘N Tees; Freeport-McMoRan; Valley Furniture and Appliance; the Graham County Chamber of Commerce; OneAZ Credit Union; The Venue and Vignette on Main; Keyhole Properties; Pepsi; Tyson Richins-Edward Jones Investments; Apache Gold Casino; Mack’s Napa Auto Parts; 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
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
