SAFFORD — The 2025 Gila Idol finals roster is getting close to filled.
During the final regular preliminary Thursday, March 6, at the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, judges selected Holly Shumway, Moria Parrish and Chaz Ornelas to advance to the finals March 27 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Shumway sang “Remedy” in her return to the Gila Idol stage.
“I did this years ago,” Shumway said. “It’s been like a decade and two kids later, so I figured I would come out and see if I can still sing, and just kind of went for it.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
While the audience couldn’t tell, Parrish said she was shaking like a leaf when she sang “Bring Me to Life.”
“I have practiced a lot on the technique of my voice, and I hope that overcompensated for the nerves, at least a little bit,” Parrish said.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Ornelas was a last-minute addition to the preliminary line-up, one of the last to be able to perform. He sang “Sigh No More.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Two singers will get another chance at making the finals, when they perform at call back night at the Trekasges Theater at the David M. Player Center for the Arts on March 13. They are Kaylynn Simmons, who sang “Put Your Records On,” and Kayla Scott, who sang “Royals.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The judges also selected one alternate, Vanessa Richins, who sang “In the Stars.” Alternates are 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 2008 Gila Idol winner Adam Crohn, 2018 winner Pete McCormick, and 2024 Kamea Nelson, who opened the show with a performance of “She Used to be Mine.”
All of Thursday’s performances can be viewed on the Gila Idol 2025 page at Gila Valley Central.
Call-back night takes place Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the David M. Player Center for the Arts. Admission is free.
Click here to purchase tickets for the 2025 Gila Idol Finals on Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m.
Sponsors for 2025 Gila Idol include Valley Telecom Group; Richard’s Music Co.; Trophies ‘N Tees; Freeport-McMoRan; Pepsi; 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; Keyhole Properties; Apache Gold Resort and Casino; the Matheson Music Foundation; Valley Vision; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
