Kokomo's Rising Star is crowned
Rhine Hall singing competition results in Makenzie Bashore finishing on top
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Rhine Hall was packed to the rafters on July 18 as more than 100 fans, friends, and family gathered to cheer on the five finalists of the Rising Star vocal competition. And once the judges' votes -- and the people's choice -- were tallied, Mackenzie Bashore was awarded the title.
Bashore was recognized by the judges as being the most improved performer among the competitors, advancing from the first round thanks to people's choice votes to wowing the crowd in the finals with a unique rendition of Radiohead's "Creep."
The competition was tight throughout the six weeks and four rounds of performances. Runner-up J'Lan Stewart gave magnificent performances that brought crowds to their feet. His rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in the semi-final round had placed him as the prohibitive favorite going into the final, and he delivered again on July 18, falling just short of the top spot.
Third place in the competition went to Shayden Smith, another beneficiary of the people's choice selection. Smith, an instructor at Rhum Music Academy fought through the competition while pregnant, a challenge pointed out by the judges as one that made breath control and voice projection difficult. Still, the mother-to-be showed off her musical talents and finished in the money.
Kaylee Janssen, a senior at Taylor High School, gave her all as a finalist in the competition. A seasoned performer in choir and band, she will continue to hone her craft and seek a degree in music education. And 13-year-old Lucy Featherston wowed audiences in Kokomo much like she does as a stage performer at Beef and Boards dinner theatre and in various plays and musicals in the region.
The entire competition also served as a fundraiser for the Rhum Music Academy. As a result of spirited people's choice voting, the academy was awarded a check for $2,500. According to Rhum Academy CEO and Rising Star judge Sami Souter Lightsey, the funds will provide full-year scholarships for two students.
Souter Lightsey was joined at the judges table by Kenny Beasley of WWKI and Bree Bragg of The Kokomo Post, and all three performed at the finals as part of a larger program that also featured Rising Star emcee and organizer Amanda Duncan and her band the Rhum Punch Revival, which featured Gary Rhum and his musical family. The final show also featured performances from early-round competitors Sierra Mack, Amos Greene, and Elijah Alexander.
Watch the entire show, unedited, on the Kokomo Lantern Podcast Network. An edited version of the program will be released later this week.