Youngstown’s own ‘Idol’ competition seeks singers

By Lorraine Spencer

This is the fourth year for the Youngstown Superstar contest.

In June 2002, few people could have imagined the impact “American Idol” would have on our society. Yet six years later, this is a country obsessed with a singing competition.

Locally, aspiring singers have the chance to emulate their idols in the annual Youngstown Superstar contest.

Youngstown Superstar is a vocal competition produced by Kontinuous Jams Media Group, a local production company. Michael Moritz, owner of Kontinuous Jams, said he was inspired by “American Idol.” After watching the finals of the first season, he thought, “I should do this sort of thing in Youngstown.”

The first Youngstown Superstar contest, in 2003, was a great success both in talent and attendance, said Moritz, who added the ensuing contests were equally successful. This year marks the fourth competition.

Youngstown Superstar is a well-organized contest with televised performances. Often, performers are scouted for commercial television, radio and print work, as well as live vocal and theater work, said Moritz, who noted the contest has become a source of talent for his production company. Singers from Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus have auditioned for the show. This year a contestant from Detroit will compete for a chance at the grand prize.

The contest is open to people of all ages with prizes in four categories: kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth through eighth grade, high school, and adults. The prize in each category is a recording package at Kontinuous Jams Music, which includes 50 CDs of the singer’s own material.

Deadline to register with Kontinuous Jams is Sept. 15. A registration fee of $25 provides each contestant with a professional black-and-white headshot. To register, go to Kontinuous Jams at 6911 Market St., Boardman; call (330) 788-9666; or go to www.youngstownsuperstar.com.

Auditions are held at the Kontinuous Jams studio. Contestants are required to sing a cappella for a panel of judges who will reduce each group to 10 finalists. All of the finalists receive free vocal training with a vocal coach for the duration of the contest.

The finalists will perform in public shows at the Youngstown Playhouse: the first two age groups on Oct. 17, and the next two on Oct. 18. Audience votes will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine the winners.

The judges are kept anonymous until the contest to ensure integrity, Moritz said. The judges are professional vocal coaches and music instructors, stage directors, music directors and recording artists.

In the final competitions, participants will perform with a backing band of professional musicians accompanied by eight back-up vocalists, including some past winners and professional studio session artists. The shows also feature performances from past winners.