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Big Rock Singers seeking town’s top vocalist

A boisterous singing group is proving that Okotoks has some noteworthy talent.

A boisterous singing group is proving that Okotoks has some noteworthy talent. The Big Rock Singers is hosting another Okotoks Idol competition, challenging singers to step out of the shower to reveal their vocal chops in front of three judges and a live audience in a chilled-out folky festival at Big Sky BBQ Pit on June 23 at 7 p.m. Sixteen singers got on the stage at The Royal Duke Hotel in the inaugural event in 2017 when young acoustic pop singer Brettyn Rose, of DeWinton, received the title of Okotoks Idol after singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, Kacey Musgrave’s Family is Family and Miranda Lambert’s Tin Man. “It was an amazing experience,” said the 17-year-old of last year’s event. “Everyone just got up and gave their 100 per cent into their performance. That was just amazing to see people putting themselves out there – just getting up there and doing it. It’s a hard thing to do sometimes.” The singer/songwriter released her debut album Walking With No Shoes at age 15 and is preparing to release a sophomore album later this year. While she won’t return to the stage this weekend, Rose will attend Okotoks Idol to take in the talent and pass the torch to the new winner. “The talent in this town was crazy,” she said. “Everyone was so good. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ There is so much talent in this town and just to be a part of that and everyone come together to not only support the Big Rock Singers but each other through competition was so amazing and I was so grateful.” Event co-ordinator Amy Lowe said the competition can host as many as 20 contestants, and that she expects to see a wide range of talent ages 14 and older. “We are hopeful it will bring out the youth and give them an opportunity to showcase what they do,” she said. “There’s hidden talent among the seniors for sure. Our choir demographic, we do have a lot of retirees who are just as enthusiastic as if they were 18. It’s really nice to get that huge spread.” Last year’s competition ranged in age from 14 to 78, with almost half being members of the Big Rock Singers, performing before an audience of almost 300 people. “It was really great to see some new talent that we haven’t encountered before,” said Lowe. “The competition was incredible and the talent was amazing. We had some beautiful jazzy bluesy numbers – even old time from the ’20s and Broadway. We had people doing original stuff. We had mash ups. It was a really great mix of everything. It was incredible.” Having to declare a winner on her own would not have been possible, said Lowe. “I’m so glad that I wasn’t sitting in the judges’ chair,” she said. “There is no way I could have made that decision. The top three, last year, were phenomenal. One of our top three was very engaging, getting the crowd excited.” Lowe expects to be just as impressed this weekend. “We haven’t had too many re-entries, which is really exciting, so there’s a lot of new talent,” she said. “The talent is high and the quality of performances are amazing.” The Big Rock Singers are changing things up this year with three judges and the audience working together to select Okotoks Idol. The judges, who include Okotoks town councillor Ed Sands known for his musical talent, drama teacher Laura Myers and Western Wheel editor Bruce Campbell, will provide feedback. Prizes will be $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third. Proceeds from the $35 register fee and silent auction will go towards expenses for Big Rock Singers performances from sound equipment to costumes. Last year’s Okotoks Idol raised $6,800. For more details or to register go to www.bigrocksingers.com

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