Last-minute entry earns Gila Idol finals appearance

SAFFORD — Lacy Bryce, a veteran of the Gila Idol stage, wasn’t planning on performing at the preliminary at OneAZ Credit Union on Thursday, instead thinking she would take a break from performing.

But, convinced by her husband to get up and sing at the last minute, Bryce’s performance of “The Fool” earned her yet another trip to the Gila Idol Finals.

Judge Adam Crohn encouraged Bryce to sing a Reba McEntire song in the finals, but Bryce said she has other plans.

“I think I have PTSD from doing Reba,” Bryce said. “The last time I did it, they didn’t like it, so probably not.”

Also selected to sing at the 19th annual Gila Idol Finals March 28 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts were Cherish Lazarus and Wyatt Knudsen.

Lazarus sang “Hallelujah” to earn her spot.

“It’s just something I love to do, I thought it would be fun to get out in the community and try,” Lazarus said.

Knudsen, who sang “Doing This,” said it was his approach to the spotlight that helped him earn a spot in the Finals.

“I’m pretty used to singing in front of a lot of people, and I just learned to take it as a performance instead of an audition, because it kind of settles the nerves a little bit,” Knudsen said.

Two singers will get another chance at making the Finals, when they perform at call-back night March 14. They are Kirana Reed, who sang “Counting Stars,” and Tyra Ellison, who sang Someone Watching Over Me.”

The judges also selected one alternate, Tara Wilhelm, who sang “Crazy,” and was also a last-minute sign-up. 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 2008 winner Crohn; 2017 winner Darryn Kamae, who performed during the break; and 2012 winner Ethan McBride, who opened the preliminary with a performance and directed two performances by Gila Valley Children’s Chorale and Gila Valley Chorale Illuminate.

All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed on the Gila Idol 2024 page at Gila Valley Central.

The next preliminary will be call-back night Thursday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. at Trekasges Hall at the David M. Player Center for the Arts

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.

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