By Mary Rainwater
Staff Reporter
HUNTSVILLE —
Years of sharing his talent with the public through karaoke and other live vocal competitions paid off for Spring resident Robert Bell, who was named the 2010 Huntsville Superstar Saturday at Huntsville’s Old Town Theatre.
Bell, one of 17 contestants performing in the final round of the contest, was urged by his friend and competitive karaoke singer Frankie Pizano to participate in Huntsville Superstar.
“Frankie was going to do it but couldn’t so be urged me to do this,” Bell said. “I am so glad I did. It feels great to win. It feels wonderful.”
Bell first began performing vocally as a young boy in church, and over the years has performed in bands, karaoke competitions and similar vocal talent contests. He also performs in Las Vegas annually and is often asked to sing at weddings.
“I take every chance I get to perform,” he said. “I love it.”
Bell plans to take advantage of his prize recording opportunity the first chance he gets, he said, hoping that it will be just another step closer to his pursuit of becoming a professional singer.
“I feel so ready,” he said. “It’s all going to happen for me one day, I know it.”
Bell performed Al Green’s popular tune “Let’s Stay Together” and the Kenny Rogers hit “Lady” at Saturday’s contest, evoking high praises from the judges and audience alike.
“You have yet to show us a chip in your armor,” judge Zak Renfro told Bell. “I never heard anyone sing a version of ‘Let’s Stay Together’ that I enjoyed as much as yours. You are a great performer.”
“That was a flawless performance,” guest judge Steve Fox said. “I am surprised you are not in a contract already.”
While second place winner Victoria White has limited her live vocal performances to her role as a church worship leader, she saw Huntsville Superstar as a chance to take things even further.
“I saw advertisements for the contest somewhere and decided to participate,” she said. “It was great. I had so much fun; it didn’t even feel like a real competition.”
The 23-year-old Sam Houston State University mass communications student from Livingston loves singing and performing, she said, and would love to take to the stage as a professional actress.
“It feels great when people enjoy what I do,” she said. “I sing because I like it, not because I am big on marketing myself.
“I would love to pursue acting on Broadway or for Tyler Perry.”
White was certainly an audience favorite, performing a crowd-pleasing rendition of the Carrie Underwood hit “Before He Cheats” and the Jennifer Hudson ballad “You Pulled Me Through,” continuing that performance in a cappella when the music cut short.
“You are amazing,” Renfro said. “You seem to be yourself when on the stage. You are a great performer. You are making my job really hard.”
Taking home the third place prize Saturday was Houston-area resident Ashley Bitz, who performed the songs “Hip to My Heart” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” She accompanied both perofrmances on guitar.
“I was blown away by your performance,” Refro told Bitz during her judging session. “You are definitely a big contender in this competition.”
Huntsville Superstar founder and show host Paul Shiver called this year’s show the best in its four year history in Huntsville, with some of the most talented performers yet.
“Huntsville Superstar is something that not only enhances our community, but is a way to spread our reach to East Texas,” Shiver said. “Everyone seems to have a lot of fun, and we all get to meet great new talents each year.
“We love to bring such an exciting event to Huntsville’s Old Town Theatre,” he said. “We hope to continue this event for many years to come.”
Other finalists taking the stage Saturday were: Aretha Horton, Laertes Davis, Bonnie Buckingham, Karon Sorenson, Heather Wiley, Cie Cie Sanchez, Jessica Bradbury, Kallie Jo Henley, Emmitt Williams, Malissa Peek, Devan Clute, Shaniqua Green, Sarah Brock and Deborah Wilson.
In addition to his title of 2010 Huntsville Superstar, Bell received a cash prize of $1,000 and a recording opportunity. White and Bitz received $500 and $300, respectively, as well as other prizes.
This year’s Superstar judges were Pat Camfield of Camfield’s Car Lot in Riverside; Renfro, a guitarist with the local band Falling North and owner of Farmhouse Sweets & Eats; guest judge Amy Lumpkin, afternoon radio personality on KETX 92.3 FM in Livingston; guest judge Dave Leleux, a radio and podcast DJ and full-time Sam Houston State University library supervisor; and guest judge Fox, owner of Town and Country Cleaners and founder of the Walker County Fair Country Music Star competition.
2010 Huntsville Superstar sponsors include: Camfield’s Car Lot, Highway 19 Auto & Diesel Repair, SuddenLink, Wiesner Huntsville, Wish Wash Car Wash & Lube Center, Heartland RV Park in Riverside, Meditrim of East Texas, Wing Stop of Huntsville, Community Service Credit Union, Smither Company Real Estate, KSAM 101.7 FM, McNease Drugs, CP Electronics, Cash & Gold Pawn, Candyce Dixon CPA, Creation Studios Signs & Banners and KETX 92.3 The Eagle.
For more information on Huntsville Superstar, visit www.huntsvillesuperstar.com
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