I’ve gotta admit, the boy can sing.
He sings in the shower, he used to sing in the baseball dugout. I recall, vividly, him singing way back in first grade when his teacher used to scold him because he wouldn’t shut up!
He probably started crooning even before then.
And look at him now. His first grade teacher probably didn’t think the singing would bring much benefit but on Friday night, Paul Gary was named “Farragut Idol.”
For the second straight year, FHS held a contest patterned after the popular TV show, “American Idol.” The other night, Paul wowed the three judges and earned the title versus very stiff competition from his fellow classmates.
Please permit me a proud papa moment to brag. We’re incredibly blessed with two talented and wonderful teens in this family. Holly does her radio gig every week. She has excelled as a scholar. She made Governor’s School for the Humanities.
She’s quite gifted and we are very proud of her.
Paul is wonderful, too. Many of you know him. He’s excelled on stage and behind the mike.
We’re very proud of what he has been able to accomplish. But Friday night, up against 25 very good singers, he was named “Farragut Idol.” Lisa and I really didn’t see that coming. We think he’s very good but what biased parent doesn’t think that. And there were many great singers on that stage - many of whom could have easily earned that title and would’ve been well-deserving, including his girlfriend Tori.
He advanced to the round of 15 with a soulful a cappella rendition of the song, “Walking in Memphis.” Then, competing against 14 peers - many of whom he considers friends of his - he performed a number from the musical, “Rent.” It was “I Will Cover You (Reprise).”
At that point, the round of 15 was narrowed to a ‘Final Four.’ Each did their a cappella pieces again before the final decision was announced.
Not sure what comes next. He’ll find out this week. If the contest is similar to last year’s. the winners of similar contests from all of the Knox County high schools would meet in a county-wide “Idol” contest. Last year, it took place in April and was held on Market Square.
But between now and then, I guarantee we’ll be treated to the sounds of him trying out many possible selections.
JG
Originally posted 2/26/2012
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