And Then There Were 13: BHS Alum Brandon LeRoy Continues in Mountaineer Idol Competition
By Julie Perine on September 08, 2014 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Fifteen "Mountaineer Idol" finalists performed Friday night at WVU's Mountainlair. Thirteen - including Bridgeport's Brandon LeRoy - emerged as contestants who will continue the pursuit.
Those entertainers will participate in the next round of competition this Friday with an "80's Night" theme.
The theme for Friday night’s round of competition was “A Song from Your Idol.” Again, LeRoy chose a Josh Groban selection. This time, he sang “Thankful.”
“That song has always been a power ballad for me, showing off my range and vibrato, which is why I picked it,” he said. “It’s a very powerful song that truly connects with the audience and they definitely responded!”
LeRoy said he felt good about his performance.
“Even though there’s always something about every single one of my performances that I wish I could have improved, I thought immediately afterwards that I did a good job,” he said.
LeRoy said he is completely ecstatic to advance to the next round.
“I can’t wait to see what the audience thinks of my “80’s Night” performance,” he said.
The 2014 Mountaineer Idol process began the week before last with about 50 WVU students auditioning. A panel of judges narrowed the pool down to 15. LeRoy made the cut after performing Josh Groban's “Per Te” - half the song in English and half in Italian.
“Mountaineer Idol” observes the same format as the famed "American Idol" TV show.
“It follows the same concept and the exact same rules because it is the same company, just a collegiate branch,” he said.
The winner will be awarded $1,000 and a paid trip to see an "American Idol" episode. A longtime fan of the show, LeRoy would be thrilled for that opportunity. Yet, that’s not solely what drives him to pursue the Mountaineer Idol title.
“This has always been a dream of mine since I was a freshman at WVU and saw my first performance,” he said. “…I always thought I was too busy and then this year (as a senior) I was determined to make time to audition – and I am glad I did.”
Friday night eliminations will continue through Nov. 2 when finals will take place.
Reigning Mountaineer Idol Skip Smith said the experience was a fantastic one.
"It gives all of the contestants so much exposure around campus," he said. "And it's so much fun to get up on stage and do what we all love best!"
Dates, times and themes of upcoming competition nights are as follows:
Friday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. “80’s Night”
Friday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m., “Country” (Fall Family Weekend)
Friday, Oct. 3, 9 p.m., “Oldies” (Homecoming Weekend)
Friday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m., “Broadway and 21st Century”
Sunday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m., Final Competition
Editor's Note: LeRoy is shown, top, singing on the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival stage and below as a Bridgeport High School senior, class of 2011, when he served as drum major.
