Fort Scott Idol kicks off annual celebration

Megan Smith sings the Taylor Swift hit, "Love Story" for a crowd of hundreds Thursday at Memorial Hall during the 4th Annual Fort Scott Idol singing competition. Smith won first place in the 4-11 age group for her performance. (Tribune photos by Jason E. Silvers)

Simon Cowell may not have been there, but hundreds of people did turn out to watch several area singers compete in the 4th Annual Fort Scott Idol singing contest Thursday evening at Memorial Hall.

More than 25 singers in three age divisions competed Thursday for the chance to win cash prizes and be crowned the "Fort Scott Idol" in their age group. Local businessmen Larry Gazaway and Kale Nelson served as emcees for the event. The local competition is modeled after the popular "American Idol" television show.

The first place winner in the 18 and older age division was Steve Houston, who performed his rendition of the well-known Lynrd Skynrd song, "Simple Man." Local resident Marguerite Fredericksen took home second place honors with her operatic solo, and local singer Brad Hemphill earned the third place prize.

Steve Houston sings his rendition of Lynrd Skynrd's "Simple Man" for the audience during the 4th Annual Fort Scott Idol singing competition Thursday at Memorial Hall. Houston earned first place in the 18 and older category for his performance.

Local resident Addi Brown won first prize in the 12-17 age division with her well-received rendition of the 1970s hit, "Killing Me Softly." The second place winner in that age group was 14-year-old Jackie Newland of Neodesha, who performed a Broadway tune, "Girl in 14 G." Garland resident Taylor Cheyenne Watkins, 13, won the third place prize in her age group with her version of the song, "Wild Horse."

In the 4-11 age group, Megan Smith earned the top prize after singing her version of the popular Taylor Swift hit, "Love Story." Tyler Allen, who entertained the audience with his dance moves, won second place for his Elvis Presley medley performance. The third place prize went to Alex King, who sang her rendition of the Rhianna hit, "Take a Bow."

All first place winners received $100, second place winners received $50, and third place winners received $25. All winners received a prize package from Mallory Allen and Shelter Insurance. The judges for the event were Cathy Bishop, Michelle Brittain and Derek Johnson, who critiqued each singer following their performances. Local singer Ginelle Esry, one of last year's winners in the competition, performed two songs at the conclusion of the event.

Addi Brown smiles after receiving a first place trophy for her performance of the 1970s hit "Killing Me Softly" at the conclusion of the 4th Annual Fort Scott Idol singing competition Thursday at Memorial Hall. Brown took home first place in the 12-17 age group for her performance.

"I think this is the biggest and best (Idol) that we've had," Nelson said near the end of the competition just before winners were announced.

The premier sponsor for the event was Firstsource Solutions USA. Other supporters of the event included Liberty Savings and Loan, Union State Bank, Mallory Allen at Shelter Insurance, and City State Bank.