Who Will Be the Next Scotts Valley Idol?

 attracted a boisterous crowd Saturday night for the kick off of its fifth annual Scotts Valley Idol competition. For the next four Saturdays, 10 singers will perform, and the judges will pick three from each night to compete in the final round, which takes place on Feb. 11.

The first place winner will be awarded $300, and second and third place will receive $200 and $100 respectively.

“After the first Idol we just decided to put something together and hired three judges, and with the help of some musically-inclined people it just came together, and it’s a blast!” said Patti Malone, owner of Malone’s Grille.

Although the competition was inspired by the American Idol TV show, it also feeds off a long-kept tradition at the cozy restaurant and bar–karaoke.

“Malone’s was one of the first karaoke places in the area, that’s why so many people come here, because the roots are here,” said judge Jeanette Larkin, of the Saturday night karaoke that has taken place at Malone's for years.

Each Scotts Valley Idol contestant is judged on his or her vocal performance, stage presence, crowd response and song difficulty. Last weekend's three winners were: 

Santa Cruz resident Rachel Rodrigue, a self-proclaimed “Karaoke Junky” who sang a riveting rendition of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” by Scottish singer and songwriter, KT Tunstall.

Sean Krohn, a resident of Santa Cruz who sang “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield. Krohn is competing in the competition for the fourth year in a row, and has a knack for the stage—he does impersonations for corporate gigs.

And Scotts Valley’s own Casey Hadley, who won over the judges and the crowd when she belted out “Take me or Leave me” from Rent. Hadley is a regular Saturday night Karaoke attendee at Malone’s and said she has loved to sing ever since she started as a little girl in the church choir.

“What’s really cool about this is this is local talent. It brings everyone in the community out to appreciate the talent we have in the community—people you never even knew could sing,” said Carolyn Dugger, judge in the competition and president of Scotts Valley Performing Arts. 

The competition also takes a lot of bravery. 

“It’s tough getting up there for the first song,” said Gary Schapper, who dressed to the nines and sang a powerful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in My Life."

“We have so many people who swore they’d never do [karaoke], and when they first did they were so quiet you could barely hear them. And now, they get up there and just belt it out,” said judge Don Spencer, who plays guitar and sings in local bands. 

Scotts Valley Idol is the first five Saturdays in January, and begins at 9 p.m. Entry in the competition is open to anyone. The entry fee is $20. There is no cover to come out and support the singers. For more details and information on signing up, call Ken at 831-566-2011.