Post by jptheprofessor on Jun 30, 2007 12:08:21 GMT -5
Again, this was a weekend for the kids! The previous day, April 28, Get Closer To The Music’s 4th annual Music Festival introduced youngsters to the world of instruments and music. This day, April 29, the 17th annual Crazy Fest Amateur Youth Talent Show would show what happens when youngsters are introduced to music and entertaining, and are given the opportunity to develop talents in these endeavors. And again, Q94 was proud to be a part of this fun event!
Every year when I attend this event, hosted and organized by local entertainer and balloon artist Dennie Huber, I am always eager to see what new faces emerge from the youth movement, and whose names I should keep in the back of my mind as possible future talents I’ll be writing about in Pennsylvania Musician or talking about and playing on Q94. Not surprisingly, this year showed a few new faces we’ll have to keep an eye on.
In introducing the event, Dennie Huber emphasized that Crazy Fest is about encouraging - and never discouraging - youngsters to perform. He assured contestants and parents that there were no Simon Cowell's in the room, and that young contestants would not be criticized or humiliated in front of the audience.
The organizer and master of ceremonies, Dennie Huber.
Per the norm for this event, the youngest contestants go first in the 7 and under competition. For such young performers, this is often their first ever time in the spotlight in front of a group of people, and sometimes nerves can get to them. Such was the case for the first contestant, a 6-year-old girl who started a ballet routine, but became overcome by the moment and broke down crying in the middle of her performance. Dennie Huber consoled the youngster, and the supportive audience applauded her efforts up to that point. Another 6-year-old dancer, Ava Kline, made it through her routine, and eventually won the top honors for this age division.
Next was the 8 to 10-year-old division. Two of the contestants, 9-year-old Kirsten Lykens and 9-year-old Cindy Piner, did dance routines. Kirsten’s was actually a tap dance routine; cool to see youngsters being taught this art form! The third contestant, 8-year-old singer Shannon Barnes, tickled the audience’s funny bones with her rendition of “Be Good to Your Parents.” When the judges’ scores were tabulated, Cindy won top honors in this division.
Shannon Barnes.
The first exhibition performer of the afternoon was next. One thing that has become a tradition of Crazy Fest is that a number of past contestants, after aging out of the competition, volunteer to return to the event every year either as judges, exhibition performers, or both. Former Crazy Fest trophy winner Angela Dodson, now a singer for the Huntingdon-based country group The Country Outlaws, was back as both judge and performer, and sang one of her own original songs, “Walk The Line.”
Singing in exhibition, Angela Dodson.
Dennie Huber explained that one of the reasons that this event is called Crazy Fest is that every year is different, and age divisions can vary from year to year, depending on the amount of contestants in any age group. Since there were several 11-year-old entrants this year, Dennie decided to make this age group its own category. First up was Carter Cerully – the son of local bluegrass performers Denny and Katie Cerully of Mt. City Grass fame. With dad and mom playing guitar and bass accompaniment behind him, Carter sang a traditional folk number, “Long Journey Home.” Next was Chelsea Moses, dressed as a boy, to sing a humorous song (I forget the title), and Harley Saltsgiver with a lyrical ballet performance. Chelsea won top honors with her funny, cutting edge performance.
With his parents providing accompaniment, Carter Cerully. (Accompanying musicians are permitted at Crazy Fest, only the contestant himself is judged.)
Chelsea Moses, performing her humorous singing routine.
The 12-13 year old division was next. Likewise, this age division had three contestants, singer Hunter White, singer/guitarist McKenzie Wilson, and pianist Edith Henry. McKenzie won top honors.
The eventual winner in the 12-13 year old age bracket, from Three Springs, McKenzie Wilson.
Dennie Huber lines up all of the 13 and under contestants for the judges’ and audience’s review.
Next was the first of two contestants in the amateur band division. Dennie has always made sure that young amateur bands were included in Crazy Fest, as he knows how hard it is for young bands to get started and to get their first chance to perform publicly. The first band to perform in this year’s amateur division was a Roaring Spring-based foursome called Currently Debating. They did a garage-flavored pop/punk number called “Stupid Boy,” and got a rousing response from the Crazy Fest audience. I later found out that this was Currently Debating’s first ever public performance. Everybody has to start somewhere, and Currently Debating got their first exposure to the limelight here.
Playing their first public show, Currently Debating.
Playing in front of a supportive Crazy Fest audience, Currently Debating.
The 14-year-old division was next. Four contestants were in this division, starting with singer Patrick Stalter, who brought an emotional reaction from Dennie Huber with his powerful rendition of “The Impossible Dream.” Dennie explained that he had known Patrick since he was a young child, and he was elated to see how Patrick’s singing talents had developed. Patrick was followed by aspiring country singer Courtney Colpetzer, singer Hayley Hallinan with her rendition of "I Will Survive," and drummer Matthew Brantner, who fired off an impressive solo on the kit. Hayley was judged top in this division.
Singing his passionate rendition of “The Impossible Dream,” Patrick Stalter.
Hayley Hallinan during her Crazy Fest award-winning performance of “I Will Survive.
Firing off his drum solo, Matthew Brantner.
You could see him behind the kit on an area stage in the future…Matthew Brantner.
The 15-17-year-old division followed. First was 16-year-old Nick Finnochio of Altoona, who sang and played an original song on piano, called "Invisible." Next was 17-year-old Michael Hallinan, who sang, played guitar and harmonica. A past Crazy Fest contestant, 15-year-old Maura Murphy, sang a song called "Arms of Love" (I believe done by Amy Grant). Maura's performance won top honors.
Eventually winning the Most Original Performance/Male top honors, Nick Finnochio.
Michael Hallinan.
Eventually winning top honors in the age 15-17 division, Maura Murphy.
At this point, another Crazy Fest alumnus on the judging panel gave an exhibition performance. Crystal Marie, now a popular country singing attraction on the fair and festival circuit, sang a country number, before awarding this year's Crazy Fest Hall Of Fame Award to Renee Brantlinger, a former Crazy Fest contestant who has gone on to dance professionally, and also open her own dance studio.
Performing in exhibition, Crystal Marie.
The age 18-21 year old division was next. A returning Crazy Fest contestant, Roaring Spring's Kira Burley sang a Dixie Chicks tune with guitar accompaniment. In his final year of eligibility, another Crazy Fest veteran, Luke Henry, performed a version of "Sweet Home Alabama" on electric guitar and vocals, with rhythm guitar accompaniment. And another Crazy Fest vet in her final year of competing eligibility, Autumn Shiffler (daughter of former XL/Not Them Guys frontman Steve Shiffler) crooned a country number called "So Beautiful."
With guitar accompaniment, Roaring Spring’s Kira Burley.
Performing with rhythm guitar accompaniment, Luke Henry.
Singing in her last year of Crazy Fest eligibility, Autumn Shiffler.
With the age division competition completed, next was the duos and groups category, featuring non-band groups. First was the young trio of (Chelsea) Moses, McCaffrey and (Kirsten) Lykens, doing a show dance routine. They were followed by (Luke) Henry & Crider, performing an original southern blues-rock instrumental number. Finishing this division was magic troupe Michael DePiro and Company, doing magic and slight of hand. Moses, McCaffrey & Lykens were the eventual winners.
The duo of Henry & Crider.
Entertaining the Crazy Fest audience with some magic, the Michael Depiro Group.
The second band of the amateur band division performed next. The 45-D's, a four-piece band featuring solo contestant Luke Henry and a female keyboard player sharing lead vocal duties, did a spunky rendition of the B-52's "Private Idaho," which won them top honors in this year's amateur band division.
This year’s Crazy Fest amateur band division winners, The 45 D’s.
One more exhibition performance remained. Another former Crazy Fest contestant and now judge, former Generation Gap keyboardist Don Hughes, played an original instrumental composition on his keyboard.
Performing in exhibition, Don Hughes.
At this point, the awarding of the hardware took place. As part of Crazy Fest's credo of encouraging - and not discouraging - youngsters to perform and demonstrate their talents, Dennie Huber strives to pass out as many 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies, plaques and awards as possible this year, so virtually every contestant comes away with something. First, the awards in the various age divisions were given out, followed by the groups and amateur band divisions. Other Crazy Fest awards were then announced, beginning with the Future Star honors, handed out to individuals that the judges feel showed the greatest potential for furthering their entertainment pursuits. Shannon Barnes won for ages 13 and under, while Patrick Stalter won for ages 14-21. Next were the first-ever Crazy Fest Outstanding awards. Matthew Brantner's drum solo display earned him the Outstanding Musician trophy. Maura Murphy was awarded the Outstanding Vocalist/female honors, while Patrick Stalter won Outstanding Vocalist/male. Cindy Piner won the Outstanding Dancer trophy, while Moses, McCaffrey & Lykens won Outstanding Variety Performer honors. Nick Finnochio's original song on piano and voice earned him the Crazy Fest Most Original Performance/male award, while Chelsea Moses' humorous and witty singing performance won her the Most Original Performance/female award. The next awards were the Fan Favorite Awards, as voted on by the Crazy Fest audience. Matthew Brantner won in the male division, while Harley Saltsgiver won in the female division. Harley also won the first ever Junior Miss Crazy Fest award, while Kirsten Lykens won the Miss Crazy Fest award.
Part of the production staff this afternoon at Crazy Fest, Richie and Jack Servello.
Dennie Huber presents Moses, McCaffrey and Lykens with some of their hardware.
This closed the book on this year's Crazy Fest. It was again a fun afternoon, that revealed some promising new performers who will hopefully continue to pursue their talents. Hats off again to all the volunteers, including the judges, Jack Servello and Rich Hilton for running sound, the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company for hosting the event, and last but not least, Dennie Huber for his dedication to supporting area youth and encouraging them to reach for their dreams via events such as Crazy Fest. Yours truly and Q94 will be looking forward to Crazy Fest number 18 next year!
Every year when I attend this event, hosted and organized by local entertainer and balloon artist Dennie Huber, I am always eager to see what new faces emerge from the youth movement, and whose names I should keep in the back of my mind as possible future talents I’ll be writing about in Pennsylvania Musician or talking about and playing on Q94. Not surprisingly, this year showed a few new faces we’ll have to keep an eye on.
In introducing the event, Dennie Huber emphasized that Crazy Fest is about encouraging - and never discouraging - youngsters to perform. He assured contestants and parents that there were no Simon Cowell's in the room, and that young contestants would not be criticized or humiliated in front of the audience.
The organizer and master of ceremonies, Dennie Huber.
Per the norm for this event, the youngest contestants go first in the 7 and under competition. For such young performers, this is often their first ever time in the spotlight in front of a group of people, and sometimes nerves can get to them. Such was the case for the first contestant, a 6-year-old girl who started a ballet routine, but became overcome by the moment and broke down crying in the middle of her performance. Dennie Huber consoled the youngster, and the supportive audience applauded her efforts up to that point. Another 6-year-old dancer, Ava Kline, made it through her routine, and eventually won the top honors for this age division.
Next was the 8 to 10-year-old division. Two of the contestants, 9-year-old Kirsten Lykens and 9-year-old Cindy Piner, did dance routines. Kirsten’s was actually a tap dance routine; cool to see youngsters being taught this art form! The third contestant, 8-year-old singer Shannon Barnes, tickled the audience’s funny bones with her rendition of “Be Good to Your Parents.” When the judges’ scores were tabulated, Cindy won top honors in this division.
Shannon Barnes.
The first exhibition performer of the afternoon was next. One thing that has become a tradition of Crazy Fest is that a number of past contestants, after aging out of the competition, volunteer to return to the event every year either as judges, exhibition performers, or both. Former Crazy Fest trophy winner Angela Dodson, now a singer for the Huntingdon-based country group The Country Outlaws, was back as both judge and performer, and sang one of her own original songs, “Walk The Line.”
Singing in exhibition, Angela Dodson.
Dennie Huber explained that one of the reasons that this event is called Crazy Fest is that every year is different, and age divisions can vary from year to year, depending on the amount of contestants in any age group. Since there were several 11-year-old entrants this year, Dennie decided to make this age group its own category. First up was Carter Cerully – the son of local bluegrass performers Denny and Katie Cerully of Mt. City Grass fame. With dad and mom playing guitar and bass accompaniment behind him, Carter sang a traditional folk number, “Long Journey Home.” Next was Chelsea Moses, dressed as a boy, to sing a humorous song (I forget the title), and Harley Saltsgiver with a lyrical ballet performance. Chelsea won top honors with her funny, cutting edge performance.
With his parents providing accompaniment, Carter Cerully. (Accompanying musicians are permitted at Crazy Fest, only the contestant himself is judged.)
Chelsea Moses, performing her humorous singing routine.
The 12-13 year old division was next. Likewise, this age division had three contestants, singer Hunter White, singer/guitarist McKenzie Wilson, and pianist Edith Henry. McKenzie won top honors.
The eventual winner in the 12-13 year old age bracket, from Three Springs, McKenzie Wilson.
Dennie Huber lines up all of the 13 and under contestants for the judges’ and audience’s review.
Next was the first of two contestants in the amateur band division. Dennie has always made sure that young amateur bands were included in Crazy Fest, as he knows how hard it is for young bands to get started and to get their first chance to perform publicly. The first band to perform in this year’s amateur division was a Roaring Spring-based foursome called Currently Debating. They did a garage-flavored pop/punk number called “Stupid Boy,” and got a rousing response from the Crazy Fest audience. I later found out that this was Currently Debating’s first ever public performance. Everybody has to start somewhere, and Currently Debating got their first exposure to the limelight here.
Playing their first public show, Currently Debating.
Playing in front of a supportive Crazy Fest audience, Currently Debating.
The 14-year-old division was next. Four contestants were in this division, starting with singer Patrick Stalter, who brought an emotional reaction from Dennie Huber with his powerful rendition of “The Impossible Dream.” Dennie explained that he had known Patrick since he was a young child, and he was elated to see how Patrick’s singing talents had developed. Patrick was followed by aspiring country singer Courtney Colpetzer, singer Hayley Hallinan with her rendition of "I Will Survive," and drummer Matthew Brantner, who fired off an impressive solo on the kit. Hayley was judged top in this division.
Singing his passionate rendition of “The Impossible Dream,” Patrick Stalter.
Hayley Hallinan during her Crazy Fest award-winning performance of “I Will Survive.
Firing off his drum solo, Matthew Brantner.
You could see him behind the kit on an area stage in the future…Matthew Brantner.
The 15-17-year-old division followed. First was 16-year-old Nick Finnochio of Altoona, who sang and played an original song on piano, called "Invisible." Next was 17-year-old Michael Hallinan, who sang, played guitar and harmonica. A past Crazy Fest contestant, 15-year-old Maura Murphy, sang a song called "Arms of Love" (I believe done by Amy Grant). Maura's performance won top honors.
Eventually winning the Most Original Performance/Male top honors, Nick Finnochio.
Michael Hallinan.
Eventually winning top honors in the age 15-17 division, Maura Murphy.
At this point, another Crazy Fest alumnus on the judging panel gave an exhibition performance. Crystal Marie, now a popular country singing attraction on the fair and festival circuit, sang a country number, before awarding this year's Crazy Fest Hall Of Fame Award to Renee Brantlinger, a former Crazy Fest contestant who has gone on to dance professionally, and also open her own dance studio.
Performing in exhibition, Crystal Marie.
The age 18-21 year old division was next. A returning Crazy Fest contestant, Roaring Spring's Kira Burley sang a Dixie Chicks tune with guitar accompaniment. In his final year of eligibility, another Crazy Fest veteran, Luke Henry, performed a version of "Sweet Home Alabama" on electric guitar and vocals, with rhythm guitar accompaniment. And another Crazy Fest vet in her final year of competing eligibility, Autumn Shiffler (daughter of former XL/Not Them Guys frontman Steve Shiffler) crooned a country number called "So Beautiful."
With guitar accompaniment, Roaring Spring’s Kira Burley.
Performing with rhythm guitar accompaniment, Luke Henry.
Singing in her last year of Crazy Fest eligibility, Autumn Shiffler.
With the age division competition completed, next was the duos and groups category, featuring non-band groups. First was the young trio of (Chelsea) Moses, McCaffrey and (Kirsten) Lykens, doing a show dance routine. They were followed by (Luke) Henry & Crider, performing an original southern blues-rock instrumental number. Finishing this division was magic troupe Michael DePiro and Company, doing magic and slight of hand. Moses, McCaffrey & Lykens were the eventual winners.
The duo of Henry & Crider.
Entertaining the Crazy Fest audience with some magic, the Michael Depiro Group.
The second band of the amateur band division performed next. The 45-D's, a four-piece band featuring solo contestant Luke Henry and a female keyboard player sharing lead vocal duties, did a spunky rendition of the B-52's "Private Idaho," which won them top honors in this year's amateur band division.
This year’s Crazy Fest amateur band division winners, The 45 D’s.
One more exhibition performance remained. Another former Crazy Fest contestant and now judge, former Generation Gap keyboardist Don Hughes, played an original instrumental composition on his keyboard.
Performing in exhibition, Don Hughes.
At this point, the awarding of the hardware took place. As part of Crazy Fest's credo of encouraging - and not discouraging - youngsters to perform and demonstrate their talents, Dennie Huber strives to pass out as many 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies, plaques and awards as possible this year, so virtually every contestant comes away with something. First, the awards in the various age divisions were given out, followed by the groups and amateur band divisions. Other Crazy Fest awards were then announced, beginning with the Future Star honors, handed out to individuals that the judges feel showed the greatest potential for furthering their entertainment pursuits. Shannon Barnes won for ages 13 and under, while Patrick Stalter won for ages 14-21. Next were the first-ever Crazy Fest Outstanding awards. Matthew Brantner's drum solo display earned him the Outstanding Musician trophy. Maura Murphy was awarded the Outstanding Vocalist/female honors, while Patrick Stalter won Outstanding Vocalist/male. Cindy Piner won the Outstanding Dancer trophy, while Moses, McCaffrey & Lykens won Outstanding Variety Performer honors. Nick Finnochio's original song on piano and voice earned him the Crazy Fest Most Original Performance/male award, while Chelsea Moses' humorous and witty singing performance won her the Most Original Performance/female award. The next awards were the Fan Favorite Awards, as voted on by the Crazy Fest audience. Matthew Brantner won in the male division, while Harley Saltsgiver won in the female division. Harley also won the first ever Junior Miss Crazy Fest award, while Kirsten Lykens won the Miss Crazy Fest award.
Part of the production staff this afternoon at Crazy Fest, Richie and Jack Servello.
Dennie Huber presents Moses, McCaffrey and Lykens with some of their hardware.
This closed the book on this year's Crazy Fest. It was again a fun afternoon, that revealed some promising new performers who will hopefully continue to pursue their talents. Hats off again to all the volunteers, including the judges, Jack Servello and Rich Hilton for running sound, the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company for hosting the event, and last but not least, Dennie Huber for his dedication to supporting area youth and encouraging them to reach for their dreams via events such as Crazy Fest. Yours truly and Q94 will be looking forward to Crazy Fest number 18 next year!