Sing Your Heart Out
Eight contestants performed in the Singing Showdown at the Coshocton County Fair, Oct. 2. First place was awarded to Erica Branch, who performed “My Redeemer Lives” and “I Will Always Love You”. Second place was awarded to Heather Swanson who performed, “Hopelessly Devoted” and “Part of Your World”. Third place was awarded to Donnie Iden, who performed “How Do You Like Me Now” and “Neon Moon”.
Eight talented contestants competed in the Singing Showdown Finals at the Coshocton County Fair this afternoon, Oct. 2 at the grandstand. They sang everything from Christian to country to rock and roll, and everything in between.
“We really open it up to what’s appropriate for all ages to listen to,” said Rick Williamson of RD Promotions and coordinator of the event.
The contestants took the stage and sang one of their songs while the judges gave them praise and advice for their next song, which was sung after a quick break. John Lindig performed the songs, “The Angry American” and “Thunder Rolls”. Lindig is from West Lafayette and has been singing for eight years.
Next to take the stage was Donnie Iden singing “How Do You Like Me Now” and “Neon Moon”. Iden is from Zanesville and has been singing for 10 years. Following him was Charity Treat. This was Treat’s first competition and she performed, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “The Climb”. Treat is 14 years old.
James Egler performed the songs, “The Shake” and “From the Country”. Egler has been singing for two years and is 69 years old.
“I’ve only been singing for about two years now,” he said. “I just do it for fun.”
Erica Branch is from Georgia and was at the Coshocton Fair visiting relatives. Her first song of the afternoon was, “My Redeemer Lives” and she ended with “I Will Always Love You”. Terry Corder has been singing for 20 years and is from Coshocton. His songs were “Personality” and “On the Cover of Rolling Stones”. Kyle Farrell is also from Coshocton and this is his first year singing. His first song was “Time is Love” and he ended with “In Color”.
“In Color always reminds me of the times I had with my grandpa,” he said before the competition. When asked if he was nervous, he said, “I was at first, but now I’m starting to shake it off.”
Heather Swanson of Scotland finished the first round with her song, “Hopelessly Devoted” and then sang, “Part of Your World”. Swanson’s husband is working with Missionary Maintenance and they have been in Coshocton for three years.
When the winners were announced, Branch said she was surprised that she had won the competition.
“I’m surprised because the way we signed up was my son and I did karaoke a couple of days ago and they told me about this contest,” she said. “I’m very surprised. It was really fun and my kids were cheering me on.”
Branch is a home-school mom from Georgia. She attended school in Coshocton for a couple of years, but is originally from Cambridge.
Second place was awarded to Swanson and third place was given to Iden. The top three performers were awarded trophies and Branch received a cash prize.
Judges for the contest were John Smilo, Jess Crawford, and Jess Shepherd.
All monies raised at the event went to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. The next Singing Showdown will be at the Circleville Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 18.
To see video of Eric Branch performing, “I Will Always Love You”, click link: http://www.coshoctonbeacontoday.com/singing-showdown-finals-video/
Category: Arts & Entertainment
