After a one year hiatus, the idols are back.
The 2014 Cariboo Idols include: Alyssa Lindberg, Stephen Perry, Britta Westerager, Tanya Guenther, Miranda Pettitt, Kira Saenger, Jillian Thomson, Niki Watson, Tyrell Norton, Ella May.
“It went well,” says organizer Rob Fry of the auditions at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre in 100 Mile House on May 1-4. “There are a lot of new faces this year, and some of the older ones that have been in it before. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a lot of work, I know that much.”
"We will also have some guests performances along with us at some of the events as well this season."
The vocal talent contest is open to singers of all ages from the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
The top 10 idols are set to perform at a number of future community events, starting with the Cariboo Women's Fair on May 9-10 at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre. After that, the next show looks to be at the Interlakes Economic Association’s inaugural farmers' market in June, Fry explains.
Guenther, of 108 Mile Ranch, auditioned on May 1. She played guitar and sang a folk song called “Mama Remember,” which is written by Dixie Hall and Tom T. Hall.
Guenther plays fiddle with Front Porch, a local bluegrass group.
However, this was her first time auditioning for judges. She was encouraged to do it by her daughter.
“Anytime you can perform and help charity or another organization, it's worthwhile,” she says of the Idol experience.
Fry was one of the judges. Before the auditions, he said Cariboo Idol is a good platform for musicians to have their voices heard.
“There are a lot of good musicians, singers and song writers, but they don't get the opportunity to get out and perform. This gives them a lot of different venues to come along and perform in front of a crowd.”