SAFFORD — Performing in any completion can be nerve-wracking, and having to perform second in a field of 20 more so.
But Kamea Nelson, 17, put aside the nerves and belted out a breathy, soulful rendition of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For,” which blew away the judges and earned her first place in the 2024 Gila Idol Final at the David M. Player Center for the Arts on Thursday.
“Any accomplishment is really fun,” Nelson said. “Honestly, it could have been anybody. Everyone that was there was incredible, and it was so fun cheering everybody on from backstage.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
She was presented with the Gila Idol trophy and a check for $2,000 and the Gila Idol championship trophy from Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications, which has put on Gila Idol for 19 years, Mike and Annie Curtis from Trophies ‘N Tees.
In second place and receiving the second-place trophy and a $500 gift certificate to Richard’s Music, was Bella Campbell, who sang “Speechless.” Campbell also received $200 as the top vote-getter on the Kat Kountry Facebook page.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Third place, with a trophy and $300 gift certificate to Richard’s Music, went to Brenden Wahl, who sang “Would You Go with Me.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The fourth-place trophy and a $100 Richard’s Music gift certificate went to Sam Colwell, who sang “Me and Bobby McGee.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
And the fifth-place trophy was presented to Hunter Chamberlain, who sang “Somebody to Love.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The show opened with all three judges — 2008 Gila Idol Winner Adam Crohn, 2014 winner Olivia Jeffs and 2023 winner Zaylie Windsor — joining with the band Crossroads for “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” that set the intensity level for the evening.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
During the judges’ deliberation, the crowd was also treated to performances by 2009 Gila Idol winner Theresa Campbell, who sang “Hero”; 2012 winner Ethan McBride, who sang “I Can’t Make You Love Me”; Jessica Kartchner, who sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”: 2018 winner Pete McCormick, who joined with Crossroads for “Be My Baby Tonight”; and two additional songs by Crossroads.
Sponsors for 2024 Gila Idol included 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.
