SAFFORD — The chance to win $2,000 starts Jan. 30.
Registration is open now for singers in the 20th annual Gila Idol vocal competition.
“So we started it in ’06, so this will be the 20th competition,” said Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications. “We were like, ‘Wait, it should be ’06 to ’26.’ But if you count ’06 as the first one, this is actually the 20th competition we’ve done for Gila Valley Idol.”
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, but 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.
Performances will take place:
● Jan. 30 at the Double R Grill at Mt. Graham Golf Club
● Feb 6 at Manor 415 Event Center
● Feb. 13 at OneAZ Credit Union
● Feb. 20 at the Morenci Club
● Feb. 27 at The Venue and Vignette on Main
● March 6 at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce
● March 13 at the Player Center’s Trekasges Hall (call-back night)
● March 27 Finals at the David M. Player Center for the Arts
It’s free to attend all six preliminaries and call-back night. There will also be free raffles and give-aways at all preliminaries.
Sponsors for 2025 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 and 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.
