The Finale

Lovin' Cup Idol's  finale was incredible, with the red carpet hosted by Janet Zinck and Megan Carter to the group performance of a Bohemian Rhapsody. It was a night to be remembered.  Joe and Kenny both poured their hearts out on that stage last night and showed that they both had what it took to become the Lovin' Cup Idol of 2013.  I have a the video's of their performances as well as a great video of a Beatles Medley sung by 8 of the Top Contestants from this season!

Here is part of the Beatles Medley sung by some of our Top 9! It was fantastic to see all of these competitors together working to make music as one! 

Kenny's first song was Heart Attack by Demi Lovato.  He chose the song to show the judges something recent.  Overall Kenny sang it much better than Demi (at least in my opinion). 

Joe's first song was "Follow Through" by Gavin Degraw.  A fantastic pick in my opinion, it's a mellow song that really fits Joe's vibe. (and his voice!)

This is an Original Song by Mr. Kenny James himself.  This song was absolutely amazing I couldn't believe it when he said it was one of the first he had written.  Definitely sounds like it could be on the radio. 

For his second song Joe picked "The Only Living Boy in New York" by Simon & Garfunkel.   A true hipster classic that Joe performed wonderfully. Definitely another solid choice, Joe really picked songs that complimented his voice as well as who he is.  

For Kenny's third song he sang "Maria" by Carlos Santana.  This I think was by far Kenny's best song vocally throughout the whole competition. It was humbly performed, and definitely showed just a great side to Kenny. 

Joe's final song was "Geek in Pink" by Jason Mraz. This was one an absolutely amazing performance out of Joe. For a guy who forgot his lyrics every once in a while, he killed the rap sections of this.  This song really made it seem like Joe came out of his shell.  By far the best I had seen out of Joe in the competition. 

I want to say thank you to all who helped make the Finale what it was, some of these people include Elvio Fernandes, Megan Carter, Thread, Amy & Angela from Gallery Salon, Leslie Ward, Janet Zinck, Erik Ward, Dem Jones, Willy O' Riley, Mark Bader, Matt Rammerman, Johnny Cummings, and MANY, MANY More.  Thank you so much to you all for everything you put into this competition to make it exactly what it is.  I have had a wonderful time working with you all and can not wait to do it again next year!

Cheers,
Stephanie

And the Winner is....

JOE PERCY!

Congratulations Joe, you performed some amazing songs last night, and I was blown away by how you took this competition by storm as a rookie to it.  You are an amazing musician and I can't wait to see how far you go!

Cheers,

Stephanie

Professional Pictures from Duets & Tributes

All pictures done by:
Gene Startup

DataVue Studios

 

(585) 730-7482

 

492 Westside Drive, Apt. B

Rochester, NY 14624

Cheers,

Stephanie 

An Interview with Javian Rafus

So a few weeks ago I got to sit down with the man who created idol with our famous Willy O' Riley.   His name is Javian Rafus and  he had some wonderful things to say.  I'll use SB for the questions and JR for Javian's answers.


SB: How did you come up with the idea of Idol?

JR: I was working one Monday night at Lovin' Cup when there used to be Trivia Night and I realized it wasn't bringing in many people.  So me and Willy (his room mate at the time) were watching American Idol and I had this idea.  Why not do Idol at Lovin' Cup on Monday nights to make it more interesting. I was nervous about pitching the idea to Willy, but he was all for it, the only two problems we could think of were getting enough people to try out, and if Leslie would like the idea or not.  We figured we had enough open mic followers to fill the tryout spots.  What was interesting is that we could convince Leslie rather easily, she was very open-minded about the whole thing.  Coming up with the idea was easy, but it was very hard, like with any idea, to think of how we could follow through with it.  Willy was a huge staple in making the competition into the success that it is.

SB: What is your favorite part of the competition?

JR:  Michael Jackson/ Stevie Wonder week and of course the Red Carpet Grand Finale.  It always brings out a lot of big names in Rochester and I can't wait to get on my "Suit & Tie" like Justin Timberlake. Also seeing Elvio as well, he's a great musical mind.

SB: Where do you get your judging style from?

JR: I take it straight from Randy from American Idol.  I don't have a lot of experience but I had the great honor of being around musicians like Erik and Willy and I've been able to take that musical experience from them and put it into judging this competition.

SB: Anything else you'd like to say?

JR: I am just really grateful that Locin' Cup invited me back.  This competition has always been my baby to try and bring revenue to this place as well as help create a venue that can display some amazing talents.  Moving back up to the North Country I've realized how spoiled I was here in Rochester with the music scene, and I really appreciate all that it has to offer.

Javian is now teaching hospitality and bar tending up in his native Watertown. He says most of his experience comes right here from Lovin' Cup.  He told me that he takes from Leslie's great leadership and Erik's passion for service and uses it to teach. He learned a lot right here at Lovin' Cup that has helped him in his career.

Come out TONIGHT  to see Javian and the two contestants: Joe Percy and Kenny James perform at our Red Carpet Finale!

Cheers,
Stephanie

Duets & Tributes: Guest performance Alphonso Williams & Christina Latone

Last week during duets & tributes, we got a wonderful guest performance from a duet that started right on the Lovin' Cup stage during Idol last year.  Christina Latone and Alphonso Williams were paired together last year during the competition for duets. Here are their performances.  After you watch these check out what Christina has to say about her time in Idol and The Midnight City (her and Alphonso's group)

A few words from Christina:

• My experience in Idol was one that I'll never forget. It was nerve wracking for sure, yet so exciting all at the same time! Everyone was so unbelievably talented that I honestly never expected to make it past the first week. This competition gave me a confidence in my singing that I never really had before. Being a part of Idol brought music back into my life in a very meaningful way. I am so grateful.

  Once the competition was down to the final three, the contestants were asked to sing duets with one another. When Alphonso and I sang together for the first time, we both knew there was something special between us. We clicked musically yes, but we also developed a strong friendship through our shared passion and love for the music. It was then we both realized that Lovin’Cup Idol wouldn’t be the last time we would sing together, but that our journey was just beginning. The competition was an incredibly gratifying experience, and I truly feel that I walked away with more than I had ever expected.

  Al and I have now become a collaborative team, today known as The Midnight City. We perform at many different venues all around Rochester. We both feel so lucky to being doing what we love most, and to be able to share our passion for music with other people.

  The Midnight City covers today’s current hits as well as some classics by putting their own twist on each and every song. Check them out on Friday, March 29th at Timothy Patrick's (TP's) from 10-2!
  “Like” The Midnight City on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/TheMidnightCity

  

  The Midnight City

  Alphonso Williams - Vocals/Guitar Christina Latone - Vocals Dave Valentini- Percussion

  Page: 312 like this
• 
  
  

Cheers,
Stephanie

Duets & Tributes: The Performances

Tonight was absolutely amazing.  I am always in awe of these wonderful musicians and everything they do. For those of you who weren't at the competition we had a Lovin' Cup first: an original song played as a duet!  Kenny and Joe worked together this week to write their own collaborative song to perform.  It was a catchy tune that the audience loved.  The other two duets with Kenny and Christina and Christina and Joe went swimmingly as well! I cannot say enough about how much I love all three of these contestants and how I am amazed at how competitors could be so close.  They have been hanging out together and there are rumors that Kenny and Joe may even do a collaboration together. Here are the videos and pictures for this week. Congratulations to the contestants for doing such an amazing job, you have done so much to get this far in the competition and no matter who goes home, you all are winners in my book (cheesy I know).  Keep up the good work guys and sing everywhere you can, you have the talent to do something great with your voices!

DUETS

Christina & Joe

"Under Pressure" -Queen feat. David Bowie

Kenny & Christina

"Kiss You" -One Direction

Kenny & Joe 

"Drink My Sorrows Away" -A Kenny&Joe original

TRIBUTES

Kenny

"Can I Take You Out Tonight" -Luther Vandross

Joe

"Suspicious Minds" -Elvis Presley

Christina

"Valerie" -Amy Winehouse

Come out next week for our red carpet finale!

Cheers,

Stephanie

P.S. I'll have a blog of just pictures from this night from an awesome photographer!

Top 40 vs. Classic Rock: Guest Performance by Champagne Brown

Champagne was the Season 2 Idol winner, she is now singing with The Swooners, you can see her as well as Mark Bader and Willy O' Riley on March 29th at Bistro 135. On Top 40 vs. Classic Rock night, Champagne sang "Edge of Seventeen" by  Stevie Nicks and "Diamonds" by Rihanna with her brother Will Bee. 

Cheers,

Stephanie