Orangeburg Idol: It's down to 20 and the competition's heating up

Motown, pop, contemporary, country. Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” the Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway” and Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ Alright.”

All that and more will be performed over the next two nights at the 2008 Orangeburg Idol event at Stevenson Auditorium on Middleton Street. The contest will begin at 7 p.m. tonight and Saturday.

This year’s event features “a good variety of talent, a good variety of songs,” said Bernice Tribble, executive director of the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association.

“Everyone performing is well-matched to the piece they’ll be doing,” Tribble said.

Contestants for the 2008 Orangeburg Idol auditioned before a panel of three judges. Standardized scoring sheets were used to evaluate each contestant, and results were tallied by a local accounting firm.

Friday night’s event will feature the remaining 20 contestants. Afterward, five finalists will be announced for Saturday’s contest to name the 2008 Orangeburg Idol.

Last year’s Orangeburg Idol winner was Lisa B. Haynes, who received a standing ovation for her rendition of Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You.” She will return Saturday to perform.

Proceeds from the contest will be used to improve parking in downtown Orangeburg.

More parking, “is desperately needed,” Tribble said. “Merchants will tell you it’s the number one problem in attracting customers.”

The cost of the event is $15 per night, or $25 to attend both nights. Tickets may be purchased at the DORA office, located at 152 Market St. in downtown Orangeburg. Tickets will also be available at the door, with the box office opening at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information and tickets, call Tribble at 803-531-6186.

Orangeburg Idol semi-finalists * Hailey August * Daryl Cate * Jessica Felder * Phillip Ford * Eden Graves * Daniel Harward * Brandon Hicks * Damon Howard * Kristie Hutson * David Hutto * Kirby Kirby * Kelly Manigault * Patsy Maynard * Lauren Myers * Matt Quay * Willie Thomas * Damien Washington * Kim Whitesides * Bobby Wood * Teresa Wood