'The One' Voice Contest Heats Up At 115 Bourbon Street

MERRIONETTE PARK, IL - The South Side's own version of "American Idol" is heating up as Season 8 of "The One" winds down. The field of finalists in the voice talent competition at 115 Bourbon Street is down to six contestants, with only five to be left standing after the semifinal round this Friday night.

"This season has been the most even we've had talent-wise," said Ken Braasch, the talent buyer at 115 Bourbon Street who has organized "The One" contests since they first started five years ago. "Usually we have someone who is a favorite throughout the season, but this one really seems to be up in the air with two weeks to go. Over the past few weeks we've had no clue who is going to win."

Until the finals, Braasch says only the first names of the contestants are available. But three of the six semifinalists have reached out to Patch with hopes of spreading the word as they seek the $10,000 grand prize that awaits the winner.

Nicolette Giblin is one of the contestants who may have a "home neighborhood advantage" of sorts in the competition, the first singing contest she's ever been a part of.

Now a school social worker in the Lincoln-Way area, Giblin is a Beverly-area native who lived in the neighborhood for many years and who a number of regulars at the old Keegan's Pub on Western Avenue may remember as part of "The Nikki Giblin and Steve Habrichter Acoustic Duo" that often performed there before the location became Barney Callaghan's.

"Beverly is my home and heart," she said. "I've been a big part of the music community for as long as I've been there."

Giblin has been singing for years, often times alongside her twin sister, but has only been doing it on the public stage for about five years. The competition at Bourbon Street has proved to be one of her favorite performing opportunities.

"It's like American Idol on the South Side," she said. "Everyone who goes there has a ton of fun every week and the performers get more comfortable on stage as we get to know the judges, other contestants and make friends."

Among Giblin's competitors in the semifinals that take place this Friday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. are Jill Lewkow and Amanda Alba, both of whom have shared their excitement about the competition via featured events on Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch.

Lewkow is a local music teacher and Alba, an Oak Lawn resident, hopes to get support from other recent alums of Richards High School in Oak Lawn who may be at the venue Friday night.

Patrick, a local firefighter and paramedic, is also among the finalists as are Emily and Kelly Lee.

Voting in "The One" competition is based on a split of a panel of 2-3 judges and the audience, with 50 points awarded to each. Bourbon Street attendees are given wristbands as they enter and after the competition are given a 45 minute window to vote.

"(The voting) is all on I-pads," Braasch said. "Once the voting is over, we have the results instantly."

This Friday, one of the six contestants will be eliminated. The five others will advance to the finals on Friday, Aug. 17, when the Season 8 winner of "The One" will be crowned.

There's also a "The One Jr." contest held for kids. The seven contestants who remain alive in that contest are Joey, Sammi, Lizzy, Emma, Aliyah, Brandon and Juliette.

Braasch said the adult competition started with a field of 32 that has been whittled down over the first eight weeks.

"We've had a mix of some people who were amateurs and never sung before and have had people who sing professionally with bands," Braasch said. "There's a mixture of talent across the board."

Previous weeks have seen up to 800 people voting as part of the audience, with more than 1,000 expected to show up for the finals. Braasch is often one of the judges along with Lisa from 101.9 The Mix and Tony Martino, he said.

Mark Nilsson of 190 North has hosted "The One" since it was first introduced.

Photo courtesy of 115 Bourbon Street / Joe Lang