SAFFORD — The line-up is set and the location is set; now it’s time to hear what the singers can do.
The first preliminary for the 19th annual Gila Idol vocal competition will take place Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, and the field is already stacked.
Three finalists from last year’s competition — Jenny Barentine, Kamea Nelson and Skai Wahl — are in the first group of 13 scheduled to perform.
Singers perform a cappella at one of six preliminaries held at various venues in Graham and Greenlee counties. Judges — all former Gila Idol winners — pick up to three performers to advance to the finals.
Another finalist is selected from the judges’ alternates, who perform a second time at call-back night, and the final spot goes to a performer selected through fan voting at Gila Valley Central.
At the finals, singers will perform again, this time with a musical track. The winner will walk away with a check for $2,000 and a Gila Idol trophy from Trophies ‘N Tees.
Preliminaries will take place:
● Feb. 1 at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce
● Feb 8 at The Venue on Main
● Feb. 15 at the Double R Grill at Mt. Graham Golf Club
● Feb. 22 at the Morenci Club
● Feb. 29 at Manor 415 Convention Center
● March 7 at OneAZ Credit Union
● March 14 at Trekasges Hall at the Player Center (call-back night)
The Gila Idol Finals will take place March 28 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
Admission to all preliminaries and call-back night is free. Tickets for the finals will go on sale soon.
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.
