Area 'idols' audition for telethon contest

~ Twenty people signed up for chance to win $500 at the telethon

Voices were raised in song at West Park Mall on Saturday. Some were nervous, others were soft, or sexy or well-controlled. The singers were auditioning for the 28th annual Kenny Rogers Children's Center telethon's idol contest March 15 and 16 at Sikeston Field House in Sikeston, Mo. Twenty people had signed up for the chance to be one of the dozen finalists eligible to win $500 at the telethon.

It's the third year for the contest that mirrors "American Idol," and its second audition at the J.C. Penney wing at West Park Mall. Like last year, there was a simple stage set up in a corner with a burgundy curtain and neon-look sign as a backdrop. The judges sat directly across from the stage, close to the performers.

But the contest has grown and made a few changes. This year the judges offered critiques just as the game show does. Three deejays, Reid Howell, Laura Whittington and Jim Morris, conveyed their thoughts immediately after the two-minute a capella auditions.

Other changes include the number of finalists, which is halved from last year. There was only one category for performers 14 and up; last year there was a junior and senior division.

More than singing

"We didn't think we'd have the time for critiques last year. We're trying to make it more like 'American Idol.' There have been requests to open it up to other talent, and we're considering it for next year," said Michelle Fayette, Kenny Rogers Children's Center executive director.

Kenneth Chapman, 63, of Jackson got plenty of applause for his performance of the Marty Robbins number "Don't Worry About Me."

"I sing country songs people recognize," he said.

He still gets nervous when getting up on stage, but his biggest regret was being too shy to get up on a stage and sing when he was young. Singing karaoke didn't become a serious hobby for him until he was 48. He's sung in the Heartland Idol contest at the SEMO District Fair, and retirement makes it possible for him to entertain at nursing homes. Chapman was a finalist at last year's telethon.

"You're a winner if you're there. It's a good feeling to know you're doing something to help kids for a good cause," Chapman said. With a lot of supporters from Southeast Missouri, Chapman was confident that callers for him at the telethon would make it worthwhile for Kenny Rogers Children's Center to select him as a finalist.

Another performer receiving audience applause was Kristopher MacKenzie Smith, 20, of Cairo, Ill. The judges said he had a great voice and should add some stage performance. Smith said he was nervous and even though he's placed at talent shows and won more than $1,000, he just didn't feel comfortable performing Saturday. He believed the quietness of the mall was one reason. Another was he couldn't see his mom in the audience. "My mom is my support," he said.

Brenda McCulley of Marble Hill, Mo., had to work hard to get her parents to take her to the mall, but it paid off after the performance. Her father's pride was demonstrated by hugs and smiles as she walked off stage. The 15-year-old sings karaoke and is a member of the Woodland School choir. "I've never done this before," she said. She selected the Christina Aguilera number, "I Turn to You."

'Let it rip'

Another first-timer, 18-year-old Davion Kelley of St. Louis, sang "My Girl," a Motown song by his favorite group, the Temptations. He said he did it for a good cause but also to prove he could get up there and sing.

Judges pointed out that he sang better as he got into it, and more than one judge's advice included, "Let it rip." They could tell he was nervous but thought he had good natural ability. The audience clapped to the beat while he sang.

Kenny Rogers Children's Center was the Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid Counties United Cerebral Palsy Center before 2000. The name change came as a result of serving children with all types of special needs. Today the center serves nearly 300 children from birth to 21 years of age with no cost to families involved.

Kenny Rogers, the featured performer at the 25th annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in 1977, was so impressed with the services that the center delivered under such limited funding, he donated an Arabian stallion valued at $25,000. It sold for $75,000. The next year he teamed up with Dottie West for a benefit concert in Sikeston, netting $74,000. A repeat the following year raised $72,000.

Other performers, community groups and interested parties throughout the area made it possible for the growth the center has seen in more than three decades.

The annual telethon and a charity walk are the primary fundraisers for Kenny Rogers Children's Center. For more information, call 573-472-0409 or e-mail krcc@charter.net.

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