Andrews – Microphone-drop moments, marshmallow clouds and starting over as a theme led to some electrifying moments during round two of “Andrews Idol” at The Blue Stage on Saturday night.
Although dark clouds threatened a replay of last week’s power outage, owners David and Patrick Howell were ready this Saturday.
“Oh, we’ve taken steps and, yes, we’ve got a generator now, so we’re ready for anything,” Patrick said.
Ready for new beginnings as the next eight contestants met up with emcee Logan Massey, who reassured each of them that starting over was not entirely out of the question if there were any technical difficulties or stage fright. Another packed house waited to support their favorite performers, while plenty of families and friends were in the crowd to cheer everyone on.
Guitarist Jerry Parker got the night’s theme going with his rendition of Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over,” before Brittany King’s version of “Your Cheating Heart.”
Dylan Buchanan’s cover of Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” got the crowd hollering for more. Vocalist Renee Pellom chose the iconic Billy Joel tune “Vienna” to get the evening started.
“Neon Moon” was Allen Walker’s pick to begin, which led into Momma T’s moody take on “A Sunday Kind of Love.”
Closing the first set, Justin Daugherty of Andrews paid homage to Tom Petty with “Free Fallin’,” while Colton James sang smooth as “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Performers are switched up with each new set. The second-rounders kept the crowd pleased, with each song building excitement for the random order.
Momma T’s cover of “Wild Night,” a Van Morrison tune updated by John Mellencamp, whipped the crowd into the right mindset. Other classics in the second set included Walker’s take on Conway Twitty favorite “Goodbye Time,” while King chose Loretta Lynn’s “Success.”
Pop country was also well-represented by Pellom’s version of “Address in the Stars,” Buchanan’s “Country Must Be Country Wide” and James’ take on “Something in the Orange.”
By the third set, the crowd was geared up for show-stoppers and got what they anticipated. The energy pulsed from the stage, despite a few easily fixed microphone glitches.
Pellom channeled a melodic spin on Cher’s “Believe,” while Parker gave the audience “First One to Know.” Intensity built as King again performed a Patsy Cline staple with a soulful take on “Sweet Dreams.”
James came out blazing and name-dropping The Blue Stage to Luke Combs’s “Doin’ This.” Even Daugherty’s ballad, “Before You Go,” couldn’t quiet the buzz in the room. Walker added to the excitement with “Help Me Hold On.”
The final two songs brought much whooping and hollering, with Momma T bringing down the house with “Proud Mary” and Buchanan’s stirring finale with “What’s Her Name.”
As the house lights came on, the force of the performances was palpable and left the crowd wanting more. “Andrews Idol” continues each Saturday through August, with the final-four round scheduled for Sept. 9.
The winners of the second round were Therese Adams (Momma T) of Andrews, Dylan Buchanan of Rosman, Colton James of Hayesville and Allen Walker of Alto, Ga. Details: thebluestage.com/andrews-idol.