Orcas Idol organizers wondered if after four years of competition they had tapped out the talent on Orcas.
They needn’t have worried.
The 2010 singing contest at Orcas Center, a fundraiser for Orcas Island Prevention Partnership, featured three duets, two guitars, a ukulele, and a lot of vocal power from contestants as young as 12.
After three rounds of audience voting, KT Laslo reigned victorious as this year’s winner.
“It’s amazing,” she said. “Unreal. Phenomenal.”
The Orcas singer performed “I’ll Stand by You,” for the pop/rock category, “Part of your World” from The Little Mermaid for the singers’ choice round, and “Any Man of Mine” for country/folk.
Among the many accolades she received from judges Terry Anderson, Grace McCune, and Gene Nery: “Girl, you have some pipes.” “You pulled that off beautifully. Can I have your autograph?” “You have a wide, amazing range.”
Laslo moved to Orcas nine years ago from Canada, and says she has been around music her entire life.
“I’ve been dancing and singing since I was two,” she said. “I’ve never had a singing lesson a day in my life. I’ve always been around theatre. It’s in our blood.”
KT is the niece of Donna Laslo, the coordinator of Orcas Idol, and has assisted Jim Bredouw with recording sessions for past idol winners. This year, she organized the Idol Junior competition. It was those young contestants who inspired her to try out.
“It was their excitement and their eyes lighting up,” KT said. “They’d ask me: ‘are you gonna try out?’ They’d see me in the market and tell me about the outfits they had picked out. That’s what this whole event is for: being supportive of people.”
KT is a sound tech for Orcas Center, so in addition to performing, she worked behind the scenes.
“She worked so hard – on and off stage,” Donna said.
KT’s favorite moment of the night was in the dressing room.
“We were like little girls, sharing hair straighteners and belts and necklaces,” she said. “(Contestant) Brian Benepe came in and he needed eyeliner and mascara. It was hilarious.”
Round one of the competition began with Susan Weiss singing a rollicking version of “Rollover Beethoven.” Stephen Baker and Julia Bailey brought their sweet harmonies to the stage with “Lucky.” Charly Robinson gave an inspired version of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” on her ukulele. Master guitar player Carl Burger put his signature, comedic spin on the classic “Locomotion.” Renamed “No Propulsion,” it was an ode to ferry mishaps.
Father-daughter duo Jason Dean and 12-year-old Arianna performed “Stop Draggin’ my Heart Around” to the crowd’s delight. Marissa Veldman gave a performance well beyond her 15 years with the pop tune “Love Song.” Jared Grantham cast a spell over the crowd with the ballad “Mad World.” Husband and wife team Brian Benepe and Heather Stansbury performed “Meet Me,” an original song they wrote while on their month-long honeymoon aboard their boat. KT finished round one with a powerful, strong rendition of “I’ll Stand by You.”
Baker and Bailey advanced to round two, where they sang “Breaking Free.” Burger sang “An Olga State of Mind,” and Veldman performed the emotional ballad “Only Hope.” Jason and Arianna brought their disco dance moves to the stage with “Superstition.” Grantham sang “Jack’s Lament” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Wearing a tiara and flowing gown, KT, who turns 29 on Tuesday, sang “Part of Your World,” proving no one is too old for Disney.
While results for round three were being tallied, Idol Junior winners Emy and Lisa Carter sang “Connected,” and the judges joined junior contestants for a performance of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
KT, Baker and Bailey, and Veldman all advanced to the final round, where they brought their country grooves to the stage. Wearing her finest cowboy attire, KT sang “Any Man of Mine.” Baker and Bailey performed “Two is Better Than One,” finishing the song amongst falling rose petals. Veldman sang “Jump, Then Fall.”
Pamela Wright, the 2009 Orcas Idol, gave the last performance of the night, dedicating the song “Sober” to “all the people who battle alcohol or drugs.”
Wright, who has been sober for more than 14 years, commended the work of OIPP, saying, “Having that as a young person would have helped me. I chose a hard road.”
When the final results were in, friends and family stormed the stage, showering KT with hugs and support. It was an exciting moment for someone who didn’t think she’d make it to round two.
“I’m still stunned,” she said. “I don’t know how to process it. The hugs, and the love and everyone coming together.”
What’s next
KT has won $200 and a professional recording session with Jim Bredouw. She will be a special guest during a May 5 concert with Willie Thomas and the Orcas Horns.
