Hello Everyone; This is just a quick update on how things are going with Diana. Alice and I are in Michigan and are keeping in touch with Diana as she works on her future. She has met with the writer and music producer. After reviewing a few songs she has found one she thinks will work for her. According to Diana it is a very torchy song and should be just right for her voice. They have been working on the arrangement and are going to try it out on a live audience sometime this week. Meanwhile, the music producer has arranged for Diana to fulfill a dream while in Nashville. Today, December 23rd Diana will be performing on the stage at Ryman Hall( the original Grand Old Opry). This will have Diana performing on the actual stage where her favorite singer, “Patsy Cline “, performed. Alice and I wish we could be there. If all goes well she will get us some great photos and will be able to film it. Diana said to tell everyone Hello and wish you all a Merry Christmas. She is having what she calls one of the best Christmas’s she has ever had. Since this is her chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. She is looking forward to seeing all of you soon and performing for her fans on New Years Eve at the Ramada Inn, New Port Richey. Merry Christmas to you all from Alice and Harold.
Becasue we are almost at the end of the competition there are only a few competing. In most of the catagories there is only one or two competing. It really would be silly to post first, second and third when there is only one person. Most of you if not all of you have qualified at this point. You new contestants have a week or two left. I don’t see anyone who is endanger of not making it. I hope to see everyone who qualified at the dress rehearsal. Keep up the good work.
On the men’s catagory for R Beach the standings for this last week are as follows:
Men’s 50+
1st Place
Gary Coole
2nd Place
Francis Gordon (Gordy)
3rd Place
Harry Bancroft
For the rest of the catagories there was only one contestant. That goes for both venues.
Okay, I have spent hours on writing personal critiques and sending them out to the email addresses provided by you, the contestants. So many of them are coming back I just can’t spend anymore time on lengthy suggestions only for them to bounce back to me.
Soooo, if you want a critique please call me. I know I must be crazy but I am going to put my phone number on here, I know you will all respect that. You can leave a message and I will find your paper and then talk with you.
My number is 727-534-3309.
Okay Johnny Depp, you have my number now, give me a call and I will leave all this and follow you anywhere LOL
Like thats going to happen!
Diana
This was an interesting week. As you know the two judges slotted to judge for Wednesday called me a few hours before the contest and begged out. My other judge had to work.
As I mentioned I was not going to list placement but as I realized at R Beach it would not be fair.
We only had a few contestants who sang to be scored. I will post from what is available.
Men’s 50+
It does not happen very often but when it does I make sure to mention it. It is the only time a score is mentioned.
Alsie Morris received a perfect score. If you knew how critical I am when I judge you will realize she did an amazing job. I can see Alsie has made some improvements and I applaud her.
1st Place
Bruce Bathurst
2nd Place
Joey Cash
3rd Place
Gavan G Grace (The G Man)
Woman’s 50+
1st Place
Alsie Morris
2nd Place
Kathy Bathhurst
3rd Place
Dolores Joaquin
Woman’s Pop
1st Place
Evan Pennington
2nd Place
Diane Critoph
Woman’s Country
1st Place
Evan Pennington
These are the contestants with the top scores in their respective catagories from last night. I stated that I would not post standings but in all fairness I felt I am as good a judge as any and I would go ahead and post the placements.
Not all the contestants sang to be judged, some sang just to come out and support the others, (and I applaud you!)
Mens’ 50+ category
1st Place
Gary Coole
2nd Place
Francis Gordon (Gordy)
3rd Place
John Romaine (The Lettuce Man)
Women’s 50+
1st Place
Stoni Harlow
2nd Place
Jane Williams
3rd Place
Lynne Short
Men’s Country
1st Place
Ralph Wilfong
Men’s Pop
1st Place
Tommy Coole
many of you have asked, “Which is my best song? Which song should I sing for the finals?”
I can not tell you because truthfully I don’t want the responsibility. I know which song I like the best of each of you, but I am only one person. This is what I suggest you do. From now until the finals, sing the songs you are most comfortable with and you feel are your best. Pay full attention to the reaction of the audience: write it down along with the song you sang.
Make notes like: lots of talking, no one listened, or the crowd was quiet and showed respect, they clapped loudly, they whistled, standing ovation.
Rate the clapping on a one to five scale. Gather your information. When we have the dress rehearsal try out the song with the highest rating and then we can go from there. You should all be in pretty great shape by then. We have put you though your paces and you will be the best prepared contestants.
I look for SuperStar Karaoke to have the most winners in the top ten catagory if not the top five!
The only problem I see is not everyone has been reading the blog so here I am preaching to the chior. The more information you have the better chance you have. A good voice is one thing but all these little tips put my group ahead of the crowd and believe me, there will be a crowd!
As many of you know this has been a crazy four weeks for me. For those of you who do not know. I have been in and out of the emergency room twice and hospitalized three days. The scary thing is they really have not given me a definitive answer or diagnosis. I will be seeing another doctor in January. I am hoping another doctor will provide some answers.
As for now I am doing just okay. I do not feel up to speed and I am walking on eggshells praying that horrible pain and the awful symptoms do not return. I am still on antibiotics, but I am off all the narcotic drugs the doctors put me on. Anymore of that and I would be headed to rehab! I have not been a happy camper. I feel my voice has suffered because of it. For me not being able to sing or at least practice and exercise my voice is torture. I was not able to do either. I understand completely what Gary Coole must have been going through and my heart goes out to him. He has made a miraculous recovery.
On top of all the above yesterday both judges called hours before the contest and bailed out! I had no notice and was unable to secure a single judge for either Wednesday night at the Ramada Inn or Thursday at R Beach. I had stated to everyone this evening I would not be judging but doing more of a personal critique to help everyone along. At this point in the contest what you need is to learn how to improve individually.
Now to explain my little debacle of the night and I must apologize to Carla Paull. Carla was kind enough to inform me her friend Donna would be happy to judge the contest to help me out. What I didn’t realize at the time was, Donna was Tina Boomer. I knew Donna as Tina. I thought Carla had brought a new friend with her. I told Carla that would really help me out without realizing who she was speaking about.
Later that evening Tina, (Donna), came up to me and started talking about the judging. Then it hit me, she would be judging. As you know the integrity of this contest is of the utmost importance to me. I would not have said yes to Carla had I known it was Tina that would be the judge. Not because I thought she wouldn’t do a good job, but because Tina knows a lot of you and is a personal friend to at least two of the contestants. I like Tina very much. She is a lot of fun and makes me laugh, and great comic relief, but as you know the judges can’t know ANY of the contestants and I in truth did not realize Donna was Tina. My head has been spinning since I got ill and it never occurred to me. Okay, I’m blonde.
When I realized my mistake I did not want to embarrass anyone so I just gave Tina the forms and let her judge. I knew I would have to pry my huge foot out of my mouth tonight. I am asking everyone to forgive me.
Sooooo, I will not be using Tina’s judging sheets but rather giving the new contestants their scores and sending each of you your personal critiques. I hope this clears things up. If you are still confused email me at dizert@gmail.com and we can talk.
Again, let me state it is totally my fault and I want to apologize to Carla and Tina (Donna) for me being such a dunderhead! I guess I’m not perfect….DAMN!
As some of you already know, I have spent the last three days in the hospital. They ran a myriad of tests and the good news is they found nothing. They sent me home with some heavy pain meds, which I am on now. I have a consult with a surgeon on Monday. They do need to do some exploring.
I had to cancel my gig in North Carolina, which I am not happy about.
That is all I know at this time. You all know as much as I do.
Thank you to everyone who came to see me in the hospital and those who called wishing me well. I appreciate all your kind words and love.
Diana
Diana is still in the hospital, as of yet there has not been any determination of what is causing her condition. So it is looking more and more like there will be some sort of surgery. That will most likely be today. It is 8:00 AM and Alice and I are getting ready to head off to the hospital to meet with the surgeon to find out what he will be doing and when.,
Diana is still in good spirits but you can tell the situation is starting to play on her mind.
I will be taking her place along with Mikey B at the Ramada on Saturday Night. I will be doing DJ music and Mikey will be singing, If you all want to come by and support her venue so she can maintain the venue while she is gone it would be appreciated. I might even throw some Karaoke into the mx if someone wants to sing a few songs.
I will keep you updated as the day progresses and I know more.
Harold
As of right now at 2:07 pm There are still no definitive results on Diana’s tests. It is possible she may have to have invasive surgery to determine exactly what is wrong. She is alert most of the time. However she is on heavy pain medication. Hopefully by tonight we will know more. She is recieving visitors and welcomes your calls. She can be reached on her cell phone or the hospital line. She is in Community Hospital New Port Richey. Room 245B. If you are in the area and can swing by to say Hi to her please do, she welcomes the visits. Alice and I will be at R Beach tonight for Talent Quest and can answer any questions you might have.
Diana thanks all of you that are supporting her during her Illness.
Harold
