A 'FEELGOOD' CONTEST
- Jason Burchard
05/15/2007
Click here for karaoke singer photos

There's a bar and grill in the Bloomington area that you just won't find if you're in the city limits. That's because the Hoosier Bar and Grill is actually in Ellettsville, Indiana-- a few miles west of Bloomington. Good news for many, because Bloomington recently created a smoking ban in bars. Being in Ellettsville, it's okay to smoke at the Hoosier Bar and Grill. Also here, every Friday night, you'll find K.J. Ace and his partner Sweet Lorraine hosting karaoke. On Friday May 11th, 2007, things were even more special as karaoke singers gave it their all in a karaoke contest. At stake were prizes from the sponsors Best Beers and Budweiser, including a $600 cash prize for the first place. The excitement was in the air as the contest was about to begin.

The contest was not a first for Ace at the Hoosier Bar and Grill. He said the contest has been running twice a year for five years now. He explained the contest includes five or six weeks of preliminary rounds where singers must qualify for the finals. First and second place each week win prizes along with advancing to the finals. K.J. Ace has been a part of many a karaoke contest over the years, but one could tell his love for the competition was still alive.

Before the contest began, there were a couple hours of practice. Some would practice their skills so they could do their best in the finals. Others would practice so they could still make it to the finals-- for that night a wild card round was held. During the wild card round, the first two places could still move on with one last chance of being a finalist. As practice came to a close, the wild card round was about to begin.

As the wild card round was starting, the Hoosier Bar and Grill was not nearly the same as it was a few hours before. It was only the same place without a huge crowd, tons of excitement all around, and karaoke singers chomping at the bit. The wild card round was finally kicked off with the fitting Stray Cats' "Rock This Town" sung by Tony Riley. Eight karaoke singers in all would compete in the wild card. The songs included everything from the Eagles' "Take it to the Limit" to the Judds' "Grandpa". Jessica Kincaid was the last one hoping for a finals bid as she sang Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot". The judges came to a decision and chose Nathan Morley and Doug Schultz as first and second wild card winners.

It was the time most everyone was waiting for-- the finals. All the qualifiers from the preliminary rounds had a few minutes to sign up with their songs. Ace said the judges will be scoring the contest based on voice, appearance, showmanship and audience participation. Anyone who was late, was left out of the competition. The finalist order was then chosen at random. Tammy Weidner was the lucky one to start off the finals, doing so with "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood. Other songs during the finals included "Baby Got Back", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Old Time Rock and Roll", and Faith Hill's "Cry". Loretta Gooden closed the competition with a soulful rendition of "Dr. Feelgood" by Aretha Franklin-- not to be confused with Motley Crue's.

The finals had come to a close. The judges conferred and were determining the winners. K.J. Ace kept the Hoosier Bar and Grill alive with several upbeat songs that got the dance floor packed. Then, he announced "I can't wait any longer-- the judges have made their decision." Placing as second runner-up (third overall) was Kayla singing Jewel's "Who Will Save Your Soul?". First runner-up was Cyndi Capps with her "Tim McGraw" by Taylor Swift. Coming in first overall place, and winning the $600 cash prize, was Loretta Gooden and her "Dr. Feelgood". Even though the finalists were drawn at random, fittingly enough, the judges agreed the best was saved for last.

When asked about why she chose her finals song, Loretta said "I chose "Dr. Feelgood" by the great Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, because it is a short, sweet but powerful story and entertaining song! I grew up listening to her. This particular song has always impacted me the way it does everyone else. A show-stopper, indeed!"

Loretta had previously qualified for the finals by singing "Get Here" by Oletta Adams. "It is always a pleasure singing on stage. I've fantasized about being a star, like everyone else who participated. It can be as close as we can get, sometimes. And that's okay with me."

What is Loretta going to do with her prize money? "This $600 will be applied to my travel expense to see my daughter, Balynda, graduate (BA) from Humphrey's School of Law in Stockton, California. I'm so very proud of her!"

"I'm originally from San Francisco and love to travel. I came to Indiana to write music with a friend but it didn't work out. I liked Bloomington enough, however, to stay. And here I am. I will sing until I can no longer do so."

Runner-up Cyndi Capps has been singing karaoke for several years and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon. She said "I have many more contests, festivals, and events scheduled over the coming months and hope to do some more recording and writing very soon."

Second runner-up Kayla was also excited in what was her first karaoke contest. "It's a huge rush for me. I've been singing since I was little and competing in contests (other singing contests, but not karaoke). At first you are a little nervous but if you can get an audience reaction, the nervousness is lost and the warmth of being in the spotlight fills you up. I'm happiest on a stage somewhere."

"That was my first karaoke contest...(my) first time singing karaoke in public. I recently tried out for American Idol in Memphis and figured if I could do that, then singing in front of a few people at a bar would be a piece of cake."