The Matheson Music Festival at the Graham County Fairgrounds was the venue for Thursday’s Gila Idol preliminary. The judges selected Chaz Ornelas, Casidy Crosby, and Camden Bryce to advance to the finals. All three singers have been in the finals before.
Ornelas sang the Beatles song, “All My Lovin,” Crosby sang Avril Levigne’s, “Boys Lie,” and Bryce sang “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton.
While all three finalists have made it to the finals before, Casidy Crosby has been away from the competition since 2013. During that competition she received a marriage proposal on stage. Since then she has married and has three children. Her husband and children were in the audience last night.
The three finalists will perform at the Gila Idol Finals on March 26 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
Two other competitors will have another shot at the finals during callback night, which takes place at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce on March 12, 2026. Emma Lamereaux earned her spot singing, “What Was I Made for,” by Billie Eilish. Chacon sang Brooks and Dunn’s “Neon Moon.”
The judges selected 15-year-old Vanessa Richins as an alternate. She will join a pool of other alternates who will be voted on for the final slot in the finals.
Judges for the night were, 2016 winner Bri DeRusha, 2017 winner, Darryn Kamae and 2008 winner, Adam Crohn.
The show opened with performances by Brianna DeRusha and Joe Baxter. The duo also performed during the judges’ deliberation.
All of the performances can be viewed on the Gila Idol 2026 page at GilaValleyCentral. Net.
The next preliminary will be held in Morenci on February 19, 2026.
Registrations to take part in Gila Idol are still being accepted. Click here to register.
Sponsors for 2026 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Richard’s Music Co.; Trophies ‘N Tees; Freeport-McMoRan; Valley Furniture and Appliance; the Graham County Chamber of Commerce; OneAZ Credit Union; The Venue and Vignette on Main; Keyhole Properties; Pepsi; Tyson Richins-Edward Jones Investments; Apache Gold Casino; Mack’s Napa Auto Parts; Valley Vision; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
