SAFFORD — The opportunities to be a finalist for the 2021 Gila Valley Idol are winnowing down.
The first two preliminaries were completed this week and the judges report the talent level is as high as ever.
“The younger singers that are coming in — these 16-, 17-year-olds — they’re just phenomenal,” said 2018 winner Pete McCormick. “They’re voiced sound so mature for their age and it’s amazing to hear them.”
Preliminaries are being held under COVID restrictions at the David M. Player Center for the Arts, which limits the audience to just two people per performer. However, every performance can be viewed on GilaValley Central.net.
“There’s been a lot of good talent this year. Even with COVID people are coming out and showing up. It’s awesome; good voices,” said 2012 winner Ethan McBride.
The 2020 Gila Valley Idol finals were cancelled due to the start of the pandemic, so available finalists were invited to come back this year for a chance to make the 2021 finals.
“Originally, we were going to pick some of them to go onto the finals, but everybody was so good, they all went into the finals,” said 2008 winner Adam Crohn.
There are two preliminaries remaining — March 1 and March 3, both at 6:30 p.m. at the Player Center. From each preliminary two finalists are selected. A few spots in the preliminaries remain open. To register go to Gila Idol 2021 | GilaValleyCentral.Net.
In addition, contestants the judges think are worthy of a second chance will perform at the call-back night, March 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Player Center.
The finals will take place March 24 at the David M. Player Center for the Arts.
