SAFFORD — The line-up for the 2023 Gila Idol finals is almost complete.
Judges selected Tyra Ellison, James Clark and Anthony Vidales as finalists at the preliminary Thursday at the Manor 415 Convention Center.
Ellison, who performed the song “God Help the Outcasts,” was the first to perform and she said it helped with her performance.
“It was a little nerve-wracking, but I also felt like I didn’t have to follow anything, so it was kind of nice,” Ellison said.
Clark surprised the judges with the song “Who I’d Be” from “Shrek: The Musical.”
“I do love good show tunes,” Clark said. “The stories are just easier for me because I 100 percent understand the story, so it’s easier for that little bit of performance.”
Vidales inspired not just the judges with his song selection of “Come and Get Your Love,” he spurred the audience into a sing-a-long, with one audience member getting up to dance.
“That’s, honestly, one of my favorite songs in the entire world, and I always think of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ To me, I was like, ‘Who wouldn’t want to be Starlord?’ You know what I mean,” Vidales said.
Two singers will get another chance at making the finals, when they perform at call back night at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce on March 9. They are Bethany Dixson, who performed “I’m Already There”; and Caddy Bigler, who performed “The Climb.”
The judges also selected one alternate, Brock Bryce, who sang “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” 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.
Judges were 2018 Gila Idol winner Pete McCormick, who opened the night with a performance of the song “Smile”; 2008 winner Adam Crohn; and 2011 winner Sharon Montoya.
All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed at Gila Idol 2023 | GilaValleyCentral.Net.
The final preliminary will take place Thursday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce.
The winner of the March 23 finals at the David M. Player Center for the Arts 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; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
