SAFFORD — The chance to win $2,000 starts Jan. 29.
Registration is open now for singers in the 21st annual Gila Idol vocal competition.
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. 29 at Valley Furniture and Appliance
- Feb 5 at The Venue on Main
- Feb. 12 at Graham County Fairgrounds
- Feb. 19 at The Morenci Club
- Feb. 26 at Manor 415
- March 5 at OneAZ Credit Union
- March 12 at The Graham County Chamber of Commerce
- March 26 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 giveaways at all preliminaries.
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.
