Keene Idol returns, Claremont auditions to be held

KEENE, N.H. — In the 14th year of Keene Idol, the event returns to its namesake, bigger and better than before. Although the five-week singing competition visited Bellows Falls, Vermont in 2016 and 2017 as Southern Vermont Idol, it has now returned to the Monadnock Region. Susan MacNeil will produce the event as she has done since its inception. 

This event has matured into a regional competition. With an adult $5,000 grand prize at stake, there will be five audition opportunities for adults and youth in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts between March 31 and April 14. Youth contestants, ages 7 to 14, will now perform in all five weeks and the top three contestants will each win an I-Pad as well as trophies. The videotaped auditions on March 31, April 3, April 9 and April 12 will begin at 6:30 p.m. with registration and check-in. The April 14 audition will begin at 12:30 p.m. with registration and check-in. Contestants will perform one song of their choice acapella or with musical accompaniment that they provide.   For audition details and event rules, visit http://keeneidol.com.

— Saturday, March 31, 6:30 to 9 p.m. The Lounge, 4 High St, Brattleboro, Vermont

— Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Keene Elks, Roxbury St., Keene, NH

— Monday, April 9, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Keene Elks, Roxbury St., Keene, NH  

— Thursday, April 12, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Taylor’s Tavern, 238 Main St., Greenfield, Massachusetts   

— Saturday, April 14, 12:30 to 3 p.m. Revolution Cantina, 38 Opera House Square in Claremont  

 Keene Idol will be held at The Marlborough House in Marlborough, New Hampshire. The function space, once a church, boasts high ceilings and stained glass windows.  Guests will enjoy table seating and exciting menu choices each week, as well as a full bar.  Elimination rounds will be held  Friday, May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1.

Through the years, Keene Idol has showcased singers who perform, and performers who sing, from ages 7–66.  And just like American Idol, those who haven’t won Keene Idol have gone on to exciting careers.

Shana Stack, Art Knowles and Rebecca Mae competed in the 2005 Idol event.  Shana went on to form her own band in 2010 and was eventually named 2015 Band of the year by New England Music Awards.  Art Knowles joined the Tom Foolery Band in 2014 as a lead singer. And Rebecca Mae went on to win the 2007 North American International Country Music Association in Tennessee, Female Vocalist of the Year and Female Rising Star. She now resides in Nashville and has a strong career performing with her husband, Jack Lawless. 

Elise Hayes, Idol 2006, now lives in Boston, tours the country with Country artist Carly Pearce and was recently on Good Morning America. Karen Bays Ducharme, Idol 2007 grand prize winner, is the lead singer in the band Club Soda. Laurel Ferguson, Idol 2012 runner-up, moved to Nashville and her songs chart in Europe. April Cushman, Idol 2015 finalist, went on to form her own band and in 2017 and 2018 was named Local Female Artist of the year by the New England Country Music Awards.

For more information, watch for social media posts on Facebook, visit http://keeneidol.com/,email [email protected] or call (603) 313-0052.