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Allison Crowell, who was a “Childress Idol” finalist last year, was named the 2009 winner Sunday afternoon at Childress Vineyards.
“Thank you so much,” Crowell said as she was presented the trophy for winning. “I don’t know what to say. … I’m so excited!”
“We’re proud of you, and you deserve to win,” said Stephanie K. Saintsing, a “Childress Idol” judge and executive director of the Barbecue Festival.
Crowell, who grew up in a musical family in Lexington, is a hairdresser who also performs locally with her musician husband, Lee, as Allison Crowell and the Drones.
Sunday afternoon, she played guitar and sang Alison Krauss’ version of the song “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You.” Before she sang, she noted that she had tried out for “American Idol” in Greensboro and Florida, “but this means so much for me to be here. Thanks for letting small-town people with big dreams have a chance.”
Crowell won out over 18 other contestants for the title of “Childress Idol,” which is modeled after the popular “American Idol” talent competition on television. The two-day contest at Childress Vineyards in Lexington attracted talent from all over the Piedmont.
In addition to a trophy and $250 cash, Crowell will now sing the national anthem during the opening ceremonies on the Grandstand of the Barbecue Festival and perform a 10-minute set on the Grandstand just before country music stars take the stage in the 104.1 WTQR Guitar Pull.
Crowell was one of five finalists. The others were Mollie Woodell, a student at Appalachian State University from Lexington, Brad Hamilton of Thomasville, Tabatha Allred of Archdale and Cici Jansen, a 12-year-old from Cornelius.
The finalists will perform on the local stage at the Barbecue Festival, Saintsing said.
The contest began Saturday afternoon at the winery with 19 contestants. Nine semifinalists were chosen to return Sunday. After each of the nine semifinalists performed early Sunday afternoon, the judges chose the final five, who then sang one more song and the national anthem a cappella.
“This was a very difficult decision,” Saintsing said before announcing the winner and noting that it was a split decision. “We deliberated for quite some time.”
“It was a tough, tough decision,” said Lee Jessup, another judge and manager of the Grandstand during the festival. “How fantastic is it to have all this talent in the area?”
All the other judges noted how difficult the decision was, too, and thanked two former “Childress Idol” winners for returning and performing Sunday: Ross Coppley, formerly of Lexington, who won the first competition four years ago and now performs professionally in Atlanta and Nashville, and Nicole Rapisardi of Advance, last year’s winner who has performed professionally in the area and plans to move to Nashville in November.
“We appreciate Ross being here,” said judge Sherry Piotti of Childress Vineyards. “Richard (Childress) is proud of him. We’re all proud of him.”
“Just look at Ross and Nicole now, they’re pursuing this professionally,” said judge Mickey Sharpe, a local vocalist himself. “Build on it, it’s a great opportunity.”
“This is the only judging event I will ever do because I think everyone’s a winner,” said Angie Ward, another judge and an on-air personality for WTQR. “All five of you are phenomenal.”
Vikki Broughton Hodges can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 214, or at vikki.hodges@the-dispatch.com.
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