Karaoke rocks at the fair
Albion girl takes crown with the ‘Cup Song’
Photos by Tom Rivers – Rich Nolan of Medina, the defending champion of the Orleans County karaoke contest, sings “How I Got To Be This Way” during the karaoke finals on Thursday. Nolan finished second overall.
Jessica Reigle of Albion, another past champion, sings “Forget You,” which earned her a fourth place finish overall in this year’s competition.
KNOWLESVILLE – She almost didn’t enter the competition, but Gretta Smith agreed to give karaoke a try on Monday after some coaxing from her friends and family.
The 17-year-old did well enough Monday to advance to the finals on Thursday. She left with first prize, a trophy and $500.
Smith sang “You’re Going To Miss Me When I’m Gone (Cup Song)” by Anna Kendrick. Smith sang it a capella, and performed the cup and table tapping routine made famous by Kendrick. Smith impressed her friends and teachers with the song when she did it at an Albion talent show.
On Monday at the fair, she almost didn’t sign up for karaoke.
“We begged her to do it,” said her mother Shelly Smith.
Her daughter has tended to shun solo performances. But she isn’t a stranger to the stage, performing with groups in dance, chorus and musicals.
She just graduated from Albion and will be attending Monroe Community College in the fall as an undecided major.
She won an entertaining karaoke competition, edging last year’s winner, 22-year-old Rich Nolan of Medina. Nolan works as an assistant manager at Tops in Medina on the night shift. Smith also works at the Tops in Albion as a cashier.
Nolan gave a high-energy performance of “How I Got To Be This Way” by Justin Moore. Nolan was back and forth on the stage and his voice filled the fairgrounds. He would like to join a band and perform more in public.
“I just enjoy singing and seeing people’s reactions,” he said.
M & T Bank put up $1,000 in prize money that was shared by the top five performers. Other award winners include Taylor Whittier in third place with “Highway To Hell,” Jessica Reigle in fourth with “Forget You,” and Lydia Piazza in fifth with “Red High Heels.”
Bob Lash sings “Boys Round Here” during the karaoke finals.
Olivia Redick of Kendall performs “Bless This Broken Road” during karaoke on Thursday.
