Archive: Around Town

Z Idol"It was just alright for me..."  "You made it your own."  "You have to work on your eye contact."  "It was a bit pitchy."  "I'm going to say yes."

Those familiar phrases were repeated at the Shops at Ithaca Mall over seven days through Wednesday as contestants vied for a spot in round two of Z Idol, Z95.5's version of the enormously popular American Idol.

"We've seen some very, very talented people," says Z95.5's Keara Riley. "I was very impressed with some of the people who came out."

And come they did -- of about 100 contestants that auditioned at the mall food court 60 were passed through to the next round.  The judges tried to be stricter after the weekend auditions, in part because they had already passed so many through to the next round.  Over the weekend the crowd filled the food court, and others surrounded the stage, especially when a contestant was good. 

Round 2 started yesterday, when 28 contestants performed on the air on Z95.5 FM.  Today the remaining 32 will perform, and listeners will vote to choose the 15 contestants who will movesforward to Round 3 tomorrow (Saturday) at the mall.


Each of the seven audition days there has been an MC and three judges from Z95.5, The Shops at Ithaca Mall, and Hickey's, with employees rotating as judges.  Judging is based on vocal quality, stage performance, presentation, and originality.  While most of the contestants have been women, the contest is open to everyone of all ages.  Singing is a cappella until the third round.  Contestants can pick any song they want. 

As on American Idol the judges did push some less than stellar singers through to make the show more fun and interesting.

"We definitely have our William Hungs that made it through," says Z95.5 Program Manager Justin Wright.

But they also say it's not easy to say no to contestants who have screwed up their courage to audition, and they would be relieved when the decision making is passed onto listeners starting today.

"It's hard when you see someone up there with a lot of passion and a lot of talent," says Z95.5's Birdman.  "That's why a lot of people have made it though.  In round two, that's when the listeners are going to have an opportunity to vote and decide who is going to make it to the next round.  It makes it easier for us."

The third round is tomorrow (Saturday, August 1), a performance show at the mall.  At the end the live audience will be asked to vote, culling the contestants to a final ten.  Those ten will compete over two days in the studio, and it will give the audience an opportunity to know more about them.


"In round four two of the ten will be in the studio each day to try to convince listeners, tell their story, and try to get a following to support them in the finale," Riley says.  "That's when we'll narrow it down to our top five finalists and also pick the winner."

The top five contestants will win a trip for two to see a performance of the American Idol tour in Syracuse on September 14th.  The winner receives a recording session from Moving Box Studios. 

That single will be played in regular rotation on Z95.5.  Wright will also distribute it to several recording labels in the hope that it will be picked up.

"I can't guarantee what the labels are going to do with it," Wright says.  "Being in radio for as many years as I have I know people in high places at record labels like Epic and Sony and Universal and Island Def Jam.  A lot of the Vice Presidents of Promotion have agreed to accept the copies of this single and put it in the right hands of people higher up at the labels."


Wright says the idea for Z Idol didn't come from any one person.  "We all brainstorm and throw our ideas together and make everything happen," he says.  "It's definitely a team effort."

"This is a very team oriented station," Riley adds.  "We work one on one with sales, one on one with our General Manager.  Everyone is involved.  We're always bouncing ideas off each other, giving ideas for clients and advertising.  I help with scripting, we help with production.  Everything is back and forth and it all really comes together."

The finale will be back at the mall on August 8th.  Each of the top 5 performers will sing one song.  The audience at the food court will vote.  Wright says there will be something special for the show, but he is keeping it a surprise.  At the end of the show the winner will be announced, and Ithaca will have it's first Z Idol.

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