|
|||
  
 |
By Hilary Judd Vern Mortensen--Cache Valley's most recent celebrity--owns the title of Utah's Very Own American Idol, following a first-place finish in the talent-seeking contest's final round April 11. A Coalville native, Vern was voted to victory by audience member ballots at Club Skyline Friday night, above five other contestants after performing two required numbers. Promptly awarded a cash prize of $500, a Seiko watch valued at $600, a studio recording session plus his demo CD sent to five major recording companies, Vern remained on stage, signing autographs and posing for photos. He also received a possible lead-singing offer from an audience member wanting to create a performing group. "It was a tense moment--is it me or is it not?" Vern said of the seconds onstage after the second-place winner announcement. "I felt like I had a chance at it, but I wasn't sure." In the competition's fifth and final round, which ultimately set him apart from the other contestants, Vern rejuvenated the audience with his unique rendition of Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places" and Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." In previous rounds Vern sang various hits from Chesney, Brad Paisley, and Joe Diffie, which also earned him audience favor. "It's been pretty limited," Vern said of his previous experience and training, which include a wedding breakfast, arts festival and "lots of karaoke" performances. "And I haven't ever really competed at all." Not bad for a dimple-sporting, snowmobile-loving cowboy who captivated the crowd--five evenings in a row--above and beyond several voice-skilled, ear-trained and performance-prepared contestants to capture the contest's coveted crown. "Everyone has some nights that sound better than other nights," Vern said, recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of all involved that night and during the whole contest. "There were amazing voices, performances and good competition the entire time." Numerous family members and friends traveled to Cache Valley that evening, supporting Vern as they had since the contest's beginning at the end of March. Contestants numbered over 20 in the initial round, and performers were limited to one song. The contestant pool grew smaller--and the competition more fierce--each evening as audience members picked their favorites by vote, and some contestants were eliminated. Vern was featured as the "Utah's Very Own American Idol" winner in live interviews Monday by two of the contest's sponsors, radio stations KIX 96 and 94.5 VFX. Other sponsors were S.E. Needham Jewelers and Club Skyline. He hasn't written anything yet, Vern says, but he's been considering the possibility for a while, especially with a free recording session in the near future. He "has some prospects for putting a few options together," so the idea seems even more intriguing recently. This is one celebrity, however, who remains grounded by reality--and genuine, everyday rationale. When asked what his plans for the cash prize included, he shrugged, and slyly lit up his dimples. "Well, just paying bills. Nothing special," he said.
|
||