Addy Marshall
Ashley Collins
Haley Reinhardt
Kallie Strickland
Leanna Freeman
Michaela Cockerham
Mikaley Lane
Shalonda Gentry
The following are a list of some of the Yadkin Valley Idol contestants that will perform at the 36th Annual Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival.
The Yadkin Ripple asked the contestants to tell about themselves and answer a few questions about the contest and some of their favorite music. They will perform at the Harvest Festival on Sept. 15, starting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the main stage.
Leanna Freeman
I have two children; a boy who’s 12, and a girl who’s 8. I am 30 years old. I live in Hamptonville. I have been singing since I was old enough to speak. Both of my parents have a musical background so it came pretty natural. I have sung in church, in musical productions and in a group with my mom and dad. Music is one of the most important things in my life. It’s just like an app, whether you’re happy, sad, angry or you feel a little sassy there’s a song for that.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
I have been singing my whole life and it still makes me extremely nervous, so having an opportunity to sing to continue to get over my anxiety is a good experience. I also had a bit of persuasion!
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
It’s hard to pick just one. I love classic rock, folk, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, and music from Broadway musicals.
3. What is your favorite album or song?
I love The Beatles White Album, but I would have to say my favorite guilty pleasure song would be “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
Allison Krauss or Paul McCartney
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
I wouldn’t consider myself an Idol. I was given the gift of music from God and I try to use that gift whenever I can. All I can do is thank God for my gift. He deserves all the credit.
Haley Reinhardt
I am 11 years old. I am a 6th grader at Yadkinville Elementary School. I live in Yadkinville with my dad and step-mom. I have been taking singing and piano lessons since I was seven years old. I have been in the school chorus for two years. I have performed both solo and with the chorus at different school functions and events. I also sing at my church, Longtown United Methodist. I love music and singing.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
My step-mom found out about Yadkin Valley Idol and asked if I wanted to audition.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
Hip-hop
3. What is your favorite album or song?
Taylor Swift’s album Speak Now
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
Katy Perry
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
I love to sing and I think that I am good at it.
Addy Marshall
I am the daughter of Donald and Tammy Marshall of Yadkinville. I will soon be 12 years old, and I’m in the 7th grade. I attend Forbush Middle School where I am in show choir. I have performed at numerous church events as well as singing at benefit concerts. I won Miss Merry Christmas Talent Division for my age group in 2006. I also enjoy singing at church and glorifying God through song.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
I auditioned for Yadkin Valley Idol because I love to sing and I want to give glory to God.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
Gospel-Contemporary Christian
3. What is your favorite album or song?
Francesca Battistelli’s song “Free to Be Me”
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
My dream duet is with Jason Crabb.
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
I feel like I would be the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol representative because I feel like God’s given me a voice and I should use it. I would represent the Yadkin Valley in a positive way.
Mikaley Lane
I am 9 years old and a 4th grader at East Bend Elementary School. I am a native of East Bend. I love performing and have competed and performed in North and South Carolina. My other interest and activities include: softball, soccer, gymnastics, acting, and of course friends and Facebook. I started performing publicly when I was five years old by singing the National Anthem for the Dash baseball team in Winston-Salem. I now have my first original that I hope to have professionally recorded in the near future. I am the daughter of Lori Lane of East Bend and the granddaughter of Ruth Lane and the late Clyde Lane of East Bend.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
I love performing; anywhere, anytime.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
I love all kinds and types of music and perform everything from country, to pop, to gospel, to show tunes, to oldies and sometimes, even a little rap.
3. What is your favorite album or song?
The song “Boyfriend” by Justin Bieber
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
Scotty McCreary
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
I love to sing and perform and I have a positive and outgoing personality. I am your all around American girl next door with a few sparkles thrown in. I have big dreams and for me being this year’s Yadkin Idol would be one step closer to those dreams!
Kalli Brianne Strickland
I am 14 year old and I am from Boonville and I’m a freshman at Yadkin Early College. I have loved music since I was born. My first word was not “mom” or “dad.” It was “Baby Write This Down,” from a country song by George Strait. I won 1st place last year in Starmount Middle School’s annual talent show. From a single parent home on the lower end of the income scale, I have never seen myself as less than. Instead I learned to appreciate what I have and to never take anything for granted. I always have a “when I make it” not “if I make it” mentality.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
My friend’s convinced me that I was talented enough to win it.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
I love all kinds of music!
3. What is your favorite album or song?
I have too many to pick just one.
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
Carrie Underwood
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
I love to sing and love music! It is the perfect place for me to showcase my talent and will give me more experience performing in front of an audience.
Michaela Cockerham
I’m sixteen years old. I’m a junior at Starmount High School. I participate in show choir, cross country, swim team and soccer. I recently performed in Legally Blonde the Musical at the Andy Griffith Little Theatre.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
I decided to audition for Yadkin Idol because I’m always excited for chances to perform.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
My taste in music is very diverse.
3. What is your favorite album or song?
I’ve been listening to the Civil Wars a lot lately.
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
My dream duet would be with Jason Mraz.
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
I go big or go home.
Ashley Collins
I began singing at the age of four. When I was just 14 years old, I started my first band with the help of my dad and began performing. I opened up for some popular country music artists, and in 2002 I had the honor of going on a USO tour to sing for our troops in the Middle East. When I got saved in 2005 I felt the Lord leading me to use my gifts and talents for His glory and fame and not my own, so I became a worship leader and love nothing more than singing His praises!
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
My father and mother-in-law told me about it and encouraged me to audition.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
Gospel
3. What is your favorite album or song?
Anything by Hillsong
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
Josh Groban. I love his voice!
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
My desire is to use my gifts and talents to glorify God and to encourage others to do the same.
Shalonda Gentry
My name is Shalonda Gentry and I am 27 years old. I am married with two little girls, Kenadi and Makenzie, who keep me busy. I live in Mocksville, and have been there my whole life. I love to sing and I have been singing since I was a little girl. I currently sing in several choirs that I’ve been a member of for about three years now.
1. What made you decide to audition for Yadkin Valley Idol?
I was sent a flyer by one of the employees of Yadkin Valley and they thought I should try out.
2. What is your favorite genre of music?
I like all types of music but if I had to choose it would be gospel.
3. What is your favorite album or song?
“Alabaster Box” by CeCe Winans
4. Who would you choose for your dream duet?
Jennifer Hudson
5. What is it about you that makes you the perfect Yadkin Valley Idol?
This is a passion of mine I love music and I love to sing.
The following contestant did not participate in the questionnaire but will be competing at the Harvest Festival: Rodney Patton.
Post a Comment
