Eight contestants, featuring a wide age range of vocal talent, belted out songs, hoping for a chance to advance to the finale. Moving on from the Houlton competition were Kim Mann of Patten, Allyson Plummer of Washburn and David Dow of Houlton. Plummer and Dow were the audience’s choices, while Mann was the judge’s pick.
They join winners Indya Ouellette of Madawaska, Rick Gustin of Caribou and Jennifer Raymond of Eagle Lake from the Fort Kent event held Friday and Jordan Buckley of Westfield, Austin LaPlante of Caribou and Mayce Kinney of Presque Isle from the Star City performance Saturday.
In a new twist this year, three additional “Wild Cards” were selected on Monday via the United Way of Aroostook’s Facebook page based on popular votes. Those singers are Stacie Coltart from the Fort Kent show; and Jacob Graham and Michaela Dube’ both from the Presque Isle show.
The regional winners, along with the United Way saves, will compete in the Northern Star finale beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. Admission to the finale production will be $10. All proceeds from funds raised at the door will go directly to the United Way of Aroostook’s annual campaign.
Judges for the Houlton production were Tammy Goetsch, Addie Carter and Brandon Clark, who was the 2013 Northern Star champion. Clark is the only champion from the southern Aroostook area and one of just two males to win the competition in the 12-year history of the event.
At the Houlton show, Mann kicked off the competition with a rousing rendition of “You Were Meant For Me,” by Jewel.
“I love your voice,” said Goetsch. “It’s rich and I love the growl. It was a very fitting song.”
Clark said he felt the performance was powerful, particularly on the high notes.
“I thought your vocals were strong and consistent,” added Carter. “And when you gave it your own ‘Kim style’ it was really nice.”
Plummer performed a spot-on rendition of the Carrie Underwood song “Blown Away.”
“Great song choice and I loved how you used the stage,” Goetsch said. “You seemed really comfortable up there.”
Clark was in awe of Plummer’s performance. “Your range is crazy,” he said. “It was really, really good.”
Carter added the song fit her voice perfectly and was impressed with her stage presence.
Dow, a finalist in last year’s competition, performed a re-mixed version of “Love Yourself,” by Justin Bieber.
“I loved that song,” Clark said. “It was really unique how you made your own twist to the song. I loved everything about that.”
Goetsch agreed. “I was thinking, ‘Wow, this guy has some musicality going on here,’” she said.
Carter said she thoroughly enjoyed Dow’s version of the song. “I like the song, and what you did with it,” she said.
Other performers in Houlton included Brianna Clossey, Rev. Marc Fuller, Sidney Peabody, Lexi Bartlett with Aaron Sewall on guitar and Chuck Grim. Peabody, 12, was the youngest contestant at the show, and drew high praise from the judges.
