MORENCI— Add two more veterans to the list of singers who will perform at the 2024 Gila Idol Finals.
During Thursday’s preliminary at the Morenci Club, the judges selected Hunter Chamberlain, Bella Campbell and Mariah Selby to sing at the 19th annual Gila Idol Finals March 28 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
Chamberlain, who sang “Space and Time,” said he couldn’t wait to sing again after making the Finals last year.
“I will say that this competition is something I get ready for, for an entire year. I wait all year long for it to come along and I get so excited when it does,” Chamberlain said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Campbell will be singing in her third straight Gila Idol Finals, following her performance of “Como La Flor.”
“For Finals I’m going to try and do something that’s in my wheelhouse, but also I want to try and explore other . . . not other genres, but another type of signing style, I guess. I want to try belting,” Campbell said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Selby, who sang “Independence Day,” will be making her first Finals appearance.
“It feels great. I had such a blast up there; I always have a blast when I do these. I’ve only done it one other time, but it was great and I’m so excited to see what the other singers have,” Selby said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Three singers will get another chance at making the Finals, when they perform at call-back night at Trekasges Hall at the David M. Player Center for the Arts on March 14. They are Marlee Redford, who sang “Valerie”; Blanca Macario, who sang “Grenade”; and Kristin Brune, who sang “Always Remember Us This Way.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The judges also selected one alternate, Becky Clark, who sang “Unchained Melody.” 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.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Judges were 2009 Gila Idol winner Theresa Campbell, who opened the night with a performance, 2014 winner Olivia Jeffs, who also performed, and 2023 winner Zaylie Windsor.
All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed on the Gila Idol 2024 page at Gila Valley Central.
The next preliminary will take place Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Manor 415 Event Center in Safford.
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.
