2008 Woodie Awards
Murray Idol allows students' musical talents to shine
Jess Nall
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Features
|
Performers for the competition were chosen by pre-Idol competitions held in each residential college for two weeks prior to the event.
Contestants included Roger McDonald for Elizabeth College, Jordan Sharp for Hart College, William Copeland for Lee Clark College, Lasacha Conley for Regents College, Jason Gregory for Richmond College, Candace Davenport for Springer-Franklin College and John Logan Wood for White College.
The first place was awarded to Candace Davenport, freshman from Memphis, Tenn.
Davenport, who performed "Listen" by Beyonce, said she was nervous to compete.
"I was really scared but once I got up there, I heard my friends cheering for me so it made it a whole lot easier to sing," Davenport said.
When her name was announced as winner, she said she was shocked.
"I thought it was going to be William Copeland," Davenport said. "My mom was there, so it made (winning) so much better."
Davenport, who said she celebrated afterward at Burger King, said she won't let winning turn her into a diva.
"I was not raised that way," Davenport said.
Second place was awarded to John Logan Wood, sophomore from Princeton, Ky.
Lasacha Conley, senior from Atlanta, Ga., performed "Beautiful Surprise" by India Arie. "I chose this song because I was able to find an accompanist for my performance and I felt like the song shows off vocal range," Conley said.
Roger McDonald, freshman from Edwardsville, Ill., performed "Creep" by Radiohead. McDonald said competing for Murray Idol was one of the first performances he has done without his band.
"I started playing guitar about a month ago in front of my friends and they encouraged me to compete in the Elizabeth competition," McDonald said. "I sang a song that meant something to me and I think people can see that."
William Copeland, freshman from Rockford, Ill., performed an original song on the piano. Copeland, who said he comes from a music-oriented family, said he loved the showcase of talents Murray Idol provided.
Be the first to comment on this story