Northern Star singers shine brightly

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SONG MAN — Nate Cyr of Patten belts out the song “Everything Changes” Friday evening at the Northern Star singing competition in Houlton.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — In the end, the show must go on and that is precisely what happened Friday evening at the Houlton Community Arts Center for the 2012 Northern Star singing competition.
    Friday’s performance was nearly cancelled when only six solo acts and one group signed up for the competition by Tuesday morning. This prompted United Way of Aroostook officials to consider pulling the plug on the popular event, but by Friday evening, 14 soloists had joined the bill, putting on a show lasting more than two hours at the Houlton Community Arts Center.
    Three solo acts — Brandon Clark, Bailey McNally and Nathen Cyr — and the one performing group (Brittani Suitter and Cassidy Nason) received the coveted “golden ticket” to advance to the final competition. Additional regional shows take place Friday at the Presque Isle Middle School Auditorium and Friday, March 16 at the Fox Auditorium at the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
    Once all three regional events have been completed, the area winners will compete in the finale, slated for Friday, March 25 at the Caribou Performing Arts Center.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
COUNTRY DUO — Brittani Suitter, left, and Cassidy Nason belt out the song “Does He Love You?” during Friday night’s Northern Star competition.
    “I can’t believe we are in our eighth year,” said co-host Jason Parent. “We’ve watched some of these artists grow up on this stage.”
    “We’ve had some great talent from the Houlton area (in past competitions) and we have some more talented signers tonight,” said co-host Claudia Stevens of the United Way of Aroostook.
    Crooning and country were once the popular song choices for singers at the Houlton competition as most shied away from harder rock tunes. Open to singers age 12 and up, Houlton’s regional event featured a wide array of talent. For some, appearing on the stage was nothing new as they have been there several times before, either from past competitions or high school plays. For others, though, it was their first time on the stage and the jitters were prevalent.
    As in years past, the audience members voted to send two singers from the regional shows to the finale. The panel of judges selected the third singer. The three local judges for the Houlton competition were Jason Anderson, Nancy Ketch and Margaret Hill.
    As was the case last year, the judges provided plenty of constructive criticism and positive comments for each performer. Many of the singers were encouraged to work on their stage presence and to engage the audience more to help overcome the on-stage jitters that several singers showed.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
IN THE MOMENT — Brandon Clark hits a high note during his performance of “I Who Have Nothing” at Friday’s Northern Star singning competition. Clark advanced to the finale for the second straight year.
    Clark, a resident of Houlton, sang the powerful song “I Who Have Nothing,” by Tom Jones.
    “You embodied that Tom Jones power in your voice right there,” said Anderson.
    “That was a clinic for how to raise and lower your voice at just the right moments,” added Hill.
    Ketch said Clark gave the “complete” performance on the stage, allowing his emotion and body movements to shine through at just the right moments.
    It marks the second straight year that Clark advanced to the regional finale.
    McNally, a resident of Sherman, gave a bluesy performance of “Oh Darling,” by the Beatles, which earned the praise of the judges.
    “Wow, the blues fit you very well,” Anderson said. “You have such a delicate sound, but you can also control your power.”
    Cyr, of Patten, performing for the first time in the competition, gave a gravelly performance of “Everything Changes,” by Staind. His selection drew rave reviews from the judges as they complimented his singing style. Cyr also played acoustic guitar for the selection.
    Ketch said she failed to take many notes during his performance because she was drawn into the words he was singing.
    Hill suggested Cyr pay closer attention to his microphone placement when singing as the location can have an impact on how the voice comes across.
    “I enjoy hearing unique versions of songs and I think you have some amazing potential to craft your sound,” Anderson added. “We’ve been talking all night about the uniqueness of a voice that makes or breaks a singer nowadays. I encourage you to try writing songs and explore your vocal potential.”
    The lone duo in the competition — Suitter and Nason — sang the duet, “Does He Love You,” by Reba McIntire and Linda Davis.
    Judges complimented the two on their song choice and use of harmonies throughout the number.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SOULFUL — Bailey McNally croons the tune “Oh Darling,” during Friday’s performance.
    Annie Charles, the 2007 winner of the competition, also performed on the evening and delivered two powerhouse performances of “Hallelujah Praise,” by CeCe Winans, and the gospel song “Lord You Are Holy.”
    Also singing during the competition were:
    • Jim Ivers of Danforth, who performed, “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” by Aaron Tippin.
    • Helene Thompson of Patten, who sang, “Bleeding Love,” by Leona Lewis.
    • Zacharia Harvey of Houlton, who performed, “Misery,” by Maroon 5.
    • Marc Fuller of Houlton, who sang a soulful tribute to the men and women in the armed forces, “Bring Him Home,” from Les Miserables.
    • Nick Lunn of Hodgdon, who performed a version “Hey Soul Sister,” by Train with only a ukulele for accompaniment.
    • Tadd Hamel of Stacyville, who sang, “Let Me Down Easy,” by Billy Currington.
    • Hannah Chapla of Hodgdon, who performed, “Angels” by Robbie Williams.
    • Michael Ouellette of Westfield, who sang, “Cry Me a River,” by Michael Buble.
    • Windy Scott of Houlton, who performed, “Broken Wing,” by Martina McBride.
    • Jazlyn Brewer, 13, of Houlton, was the youngest performer on the evening. She sang, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Judy Garland.
    • Eldon Bennett, 77, of Houlton, was the eldest singer to take the stage. He performed, “I Wish I Was 18 Again,” by George Burns.
    All proceeds from funds raised at the door will go directly to the United Way of Aroostook’s annual campaign. Since the United Way of Aroostook launched the original “Aroostook Idol” fundraiser, it has drawn more than 150 competitors to the stage. It also has raised more than $180,000 to benefit agencies funded by the United Way in Aroostook County.
    For more information on the “Northern Star” competition, contact the United Way of Aroostook at 207-764-5197.