DeSpain earns spot in Gila Idol finals, voting on now for top alternate

Kiley Despain earned a spot in the Gila Idol 2022 finals with her rendition of "Requiem" during Thursday's call-back night at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

SAFFORD — A second chance was all it took for Kiley DeSpain to earn a spot in the Gila Idol 2022 finals.

DeSpain performed the song “Requiem” during the call-back preliminary Thursday at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce. She said she chose the song after witnessing the song selection by those already chosen to go the finals.

“I wanted to choose something that I could put my heart into,” she said.

DeSpain is the 19th person selected to perform at the March 24 finals. The remaining spot will be selected by the fans.

Alternates, from left, Marlee Redford, Abigail Thomas and Tyler Miller are calling on the public’s help to be the last singer picked for the Gila Idol 2022 finals. Online voting will determine who advances. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

At each of the first six preliminaries, one alternate was selected, and three more were chosen at Thursday’s call-back night: Abigail Thomas, who sang “Traveling Soldier”; Tyler Miller, who sang “Who’s Loving You”; and Marlee Redford, who sang “Arabian Nights.”

Performances of all nine alternates can be viewed at Gila Idol 2022 Alternates | GilaValleyCentral.Net, where the public can vote on who they think is best. The top vote-getter will earn the final spot in the finals. Voting is under way now and will continue through 1 a.m. March 21. The winner will be announced on Kat Kountry Radio 94.5 FM that morning after 8:30 a.m.

Two of the judges at Thursday’s call-back night were joined by their children during final announcements. Pictured are, from left, 2017 Idol winner Darryn Kamae, 2014 winner Olivia Jeffs and 2019 winner Cierra Myers. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Judges for call-back night were ; 2017 winner Darryn Kamae; 2014 Gila Valley Idol winner Olivia Jeffs; and 2019 winner Cierra Myers, who performed “Say a Little Prayer.”

Also performing were the Pima High School boys and girls quartets.

All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed at Gila Idol 2022 Chamber of Commerce | GilaValleyCentral.Net and on the Kat Kountry Facebook page.

The finals will take place March 24 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts, and tickets can be purchased at Gila Idol 2022 Tickets in Safford, AZ, United States (ticketleap.com).

Sponsors of Gila Valley Idol include: Valley Telecom; OneAZ Credit Union;  The Stadium Club; Freeport-McMoRan; Richard’s Music; The Double R Grill; Valley Furniture and Appliance; Tyson Richins-Edward Jones Investments; Swire Coca-Cola; Trophies ‘N Tees; and Double R Communications stations Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO Am 1230.

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