‘Andrews Idol’ finale croons to a winner

Andrews – The first season finale of Andrews Idol rocked the packed house with four talents vying for a $1,000 prize. When all was sang and done, Hayesville’s Colton James walked away as the grand-prize winner.

Rousing the crowd to a fever pitch, emcee Logan Massey started the evening with a salute to first responders and the national anthem. The final four contestants had the air abuzz with excitement before they even hit the stage.

Bryson City native Emily Franklin came out with her trademark hat and flowing flowery cowgirl vest to take command with Carrie Underwood’s cautionary tale “Before He Cheats,” providing the warning to men as every lady in the house sang along to that Louisville Slugger line. Flinging that hat off during that last chorus had everyone cheering for her “go-girl” vibe.

Next, Franklin wowed the crowd with Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away,” giving the audience time to ponder those things that once were and never can be again.

Franklin then used that lilting alto of hers to do Joy Williams’ “The Trouble With Wanting.” Glancing lovingly at her partner from time to time during the song ensured nary a dry eye in the house.

Finally, we all became small town girls living in a lonely world and streetlight people when Franklin belted out that fist-pumping Journey anthem that had us all ready to “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

James kept true to his country roots with his Browning shirt and signature trucker hat by starting with Luke Combs’ “Can I Get an Outlaw.” Next, James took the audience along for a wild trip with a blistering version of TikTok sensation Warren Zieders’ “Ride The Lightning.”

James then got everyone higher than the grocery bills with his dazzling take on Tyler Childers’ rural Gothic tune “Whitehouse Road.” Rounding out the night with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” James brought down the house with a stripped-down version of the ode to being raised Southern proper.

Bringing his signature smooth crooner’s voice from Franklin, Kevin McCall made many in the audience swoon with his sultry version of Alabama’s “Feels So Right.” Keeping it real, McCall then brought out his take on Conway Twitty’s imaginary-love lamentation “Only Make Believe,” making knees weak throughout the room.

Once again, McCall used his baritone to make us all reflect on the lonely life of a “Desperado,” the classic soft rock ballad by The Eagles. Always bringing a surprise, McCall then got the crowd rocking out to ZZ Top’s “Tube Snake Boogie,” which cemented the idea that if we won’t do it, our sister will.

Nathan Melton of Walhalla, S.C., came out with his country with an attitude tearing into Cage the Elephant’s “Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked,” whipping the crowd into an alternative-rock frenzy. Next, Melton had the audience ready to “Dive” in with his excruciatingly heart-wrenching version of Luke Combs’ cover of the Ed Sheeran classic.

In his typical fashion, he then sang an original song called “Gone,” which had hearts melting and broken in the last summer heat. To close, Melton proved that pictures are really worth 1,000 words with Jamey Johnson’s “In Color.”

After the sets ad finished and a brief intermission, the winners were announced too much fanfare and wild abandon from the crowd. Franklin and McCall tied for third place, Melton took second and James won the grand prize of $1,000 and a full day recording session at Emanant Music in Atlanta.

Each finalist had radiant grins on their faces. In his aw-shucks manner, James mentioned how surreal the experience of winning was and how grateful he is to everyone in the audience, at The Blue Stage and every other contestant throughout the competition.