BEMUS POINT - Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point was packed for the second week in a row, as eight new contestants completed week two of "Crooner Songs" as a part of SE93's Chautauqua Lake Idol on Monday.
Chautauqua Lake Idol officially kicked off July 2, with 10 contestants performing songs from artists such as Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan and Frank Sinatra. Last night, the remaining eight contestants performed their rendition of songs from singers like Bing Crosby, Toni Bennett and Ray Charles.
Amanda Wickmark, Adam Mckillip, Heather Powlak, Bella Zuroski, Lisa Matteson, Chad Denmead, Cassandra Heil and Randi Heitman performed. For the second week in a row, no contestants were immediately sent home.
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"Tonight, the judges did decide that they are going to have 10 singers perform next week for The Voice Night," Hill said, noting the singers will be announced on the ChautauquaLakeIdol.com website today. "That is the only time we will be delaying the announcement."
Again this week, members of the audience were able to vote via text message in order to save a favorite singer from elimination. Cassandra Heil, who sang "Georgia on my Mind" by Ray Charles, was saved. Last week, Ben Swanson was saved through text, following his rendition of Michael Buble's "Cry me a River."
"Cassandra Heil probably stole the show with her performance of 'Georgia on my Mind.' She did a really good job. It was a solid performance with the band. She definitely deserved the vote to move on to the next week," Hill said.
Hill added that everyone performed very well during Monday night's show. He said that the judges were very pleased, and overall the show had a great audience as well as beautiful weather.
Two Junior Idols Halle Weston from Maple Grove High School and Mackenzie Cass from Frewsburg Central School also showcased their talents through songs by Pink and Carrie Underwood.
"Since the contestants have to be 18 or older to participate in the show, we started last year an opportunity for singers not of age to showcase their talents on the stage and experience it. We're doing it again this year. We will highlight four Junior Idols. We will have the other two showcased in upcoming shows," Hill said.
The show will continue next Monday on The Italian Fisherman's floating stage in Bemus Point, as the competition's top 10 singers will perform.
"We know that the show is just going to continue to grow. You would think that as we eliminate singers from the competition, we would see less people, because of family and friends. But, we see the exact opposite. The shows grow as the summer goes on," Hill said.