Columbus Idol a hit with fans

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Hill
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  The Blaze 56 Council hosted the first Columbus Idol competition Friday night at the Columbus Club. 

Seven contestants competed for the title of "Columbus Idol," similar to the title of the popular "American Idol." 

To a packed ballroom, the contestants sang and danced to a variety of music genres to include jazz, country, rock and R&B. 

Technical Sgt. James Dill, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron, claimed the title of Columbus Idol, and received $200, at the end of the night. Performing "Anymore" by country star Travis Tritt and "Lady" by The Commodores, Dill wowed the crowd with amazing voice control. But his winning performance came when he sang "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn. 

The other seven contestants held strong singing a range of songs from Whitney Houston to Alicia Keyes to Faith Hill. One contestant, Marie McMenamy, even recruited the help of her husband, 2nd Lt. Chris McMenamy, SUPT class 08-09, to play the guitar while she sang "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall. 

Initially it was up to the guest judges, Col. Mark Brown, 14th Mission Support Group commander, Staff Sgt. Aneeya Fields, 14th Medical Support Squadron, 1st Lt. Earl Alexander, 14th Comptroller Squadron, and Chief Master Sgt. James Dowell, 14th MSG Superintendent, to send the seven contestants to the next of the three rounds. But in the end it was the audience who chose the winners. 

"I thought the turnout was great! We anticipated seating for 150 people but there were people standing at the door and on the wall...so I believe that speaks for itself. I was extremely excited with the turn out," said Staff Sgt. Mia Hall, a member of the BLAZE 56 Council. 

Although Sergeant Dill was the ultimate winner, Carla Pike, wife of Capt. Christopher Pike, SUPT Class 08-10, was the second runner up and received $25. Marie McMenamy was the first runner up and received $50. Other participants for the event were: Jennifer Damon; Airman 1st Class Siddharth Sunny, 14th Force Support Squadron; Airman 1st Class KeUndra Williams, 14th FSS; and Staff Sgt. Heather Hildrich, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron. 

Staff Sgt. Anthony Vick, 14th Security Forces Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Bryant Hayes, 14th Medial Group, kept the crowd entertained with a bit of comedy between the performances. 

"All in all, I was very satisfied with the entire event and even more thrilled with the Columbus Idol team. It definitely took a lot of planning and hard work from a lot of dedicated individuals. I had the pleasure to work with some absolute, first-rate people who stood beside me 100 percent through this entire ride. It just wouldn't have been possible without them. "Thank You" to the entire Columbus Idol team, sub-committees and our event volunteers, judges, emcees and DJ," said Sergeant Hall.
 
Congratulations to all the winners and all the participants.