HUNTINGTON -- A packed crowd of music lovers braved the dark skies and looming clouds Friday night for the Heiner's Summer Concert Series "Dawg Dazzle" at Pullman Square in downtown Huntington.
A live radio broadcast from 93.7 "The DAWG" kicked off the evening that showcased local talent who performed a variety of music from rock to gospel. The main event of the evening was performances by the six finalists from The Herald-Dispatch and 93.7 The Dawg's "Tri-State Idol" contest.
The competition showcased local talent that varied from a rock band made up entirely of high school students from Barboursville to a country singer from southern Ohio. The six finalists were 4 Mile, New River Band, Unload, Bobby Blanton, Plastic Banana and Kala DeHart.
Ben Lewis, lead singer of the New River Band, said he was impressed with the talent of the competitors, some of whom are teenagers. The variety performers, he said, made the competition more interesting and gave the crowd an opportunity to hear different types of music.
"Coming into the competition I was hoping for different styles of music because I like listening to different kinds of music and so do most people," Lewis said. "We're all out there to have fun and entertain the crowd."
While the competition featured bands that had no competition experience, like the New River Band, it also showcased a number of people who have been performing competitively since they were kids.
Blanton, a country, bluegrass and gospel singer, said he's been singing and competing since he could remember. Getting on stage, singing and playing off the energy of the crowd is rewarding enough for him to travel down from Franklin Furnace, Ohio. While he has placed at several local competitions, Blanton said smaller competitions give him and others an opportunity to hone their skills.
"The competition is good, it gives us good exposure and lets us have a good time," Blanton said. "Anytime you can get on stage and sing is a good time. The more you're on stage to practice, the better you are."
Barboursville native DeHart has also been competing since she was a kid. At 16, DeHart said she wanted to be a part of the competition because it accepted people of all ages and offered a good opportunity for her to showcase her singing and guitar playing. Minutes after she performed, DeHart said she was already asking her friends to vote for her.
The winner of the competition will be picked by the public by visiting The Herald-Dispatch's Web site, http://media.herald- dispatch.com/trimm, and voting online or by personally submitting you choice at the newspaper's building located at 946 5th Ave.
The grand prize winner will receive a price package worth $1,250, first runner-up will receive a prize package worth $750, and second runner-up will receive a prize package worth $500. All three will also appear in The Herald-Dispatch and in interviews on The DAWG and The Planet radio stations. The winner will be announced July 17.
The annual 4th of July Celebration also featured the Dawg's Island Jamboree with Katie Owens, Bridget Reynolds and Shawn Cabell. The Steel Drum Band and Carib Sounds also performed before the scheduled fireworks at Harris Riverfront Park.
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