‘Taste of Talent’ Contestants Square Off in Seventh Annual Competition

| June 29, 2016

ToTFRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – Franklin’s Taste of Talent contestants are busy making final preparations before the seventh annual competition starts at 7:00 p.m. on June 29 in Bandstand Park.

This year’s contestants come from a range of backgrounds, from music education majors to self-taught musicians.

Taste of Talent will run five weeks and feature 12 contestants from the local region. Audience members cast votes for their favorite performers, much like American Idol.

“We’ve been blessed in the fact that we’ve had a lot of good talent come our way each year,” said Ronnie Beith, Franklin’s events and marketing coordinator.

Along with judges Tammy Dahl, Nat Licht, and Jerry Gressley, audience members cast votes for their favorite contestant. The winner is awarded $1,000.00 from Lamb & Webster. Second, third and fourth places each receive $100.00 from Nancy and Jake Lindsey and a $100.00 gift card from the Franklin Retail Association.

2016 Taste of Talent Contestants

BalogZachary Balog, of Franklin, is currently a sophomore at Westminster College studying music education. The 19-year-old has played lead roles in musicals at Oil City High School along with taking lessons from the school’s choir director, Steven Luxbacher. Balog enjoys studying music theory and playing guitar and piano. He is excited to perform in his first Taste of Talent competition.

“I have a big family, and it’s good to bring the family home. This is a special time to bring them all together for me. I appreciate it. It’s a nice time, especially living in Franklin; it’s good to show some hometown spirit,” Balog said.

BlackAshlee Black, a 25-year-old Cranberry resident, has been singing since the age of 4. Currently enrolled in Excelsior College, Black works at Sugarcreek Station. She was involved in choir and band in high school and plays the guitar and flute.

Carson 2Tyler Carson, an upcoming senior at Rocky Grove High School, is a second-time Taste of Talent contestant. The 17-year-old has been involved in music since age 11 when he learned to play trumpet and guitar. Carson has wanted to perform in Taste of Talent since the age of 12 and made it to the finals last year.

CookLisa Cook, 46, of Cooperstown, has been singing for the past 10 years. She works as a property inspector for Mueller Reports and lives with her husband and two children, Carter and Paige. Cook, lead singer of the band Joy Ride, is a returning contestant and loves entertaining audiences with her performances.

KennedyScott Kennedy, of Franklin, fell in love with music at a young age and said it is a universal language for him. At 28, Kennedy has a wide range of musical experience under his belt, including high school acapella choir, mixed ensemble jazz choir, singing karaoke two to three times a week and auditioning for The Voice in February 2016. Kennedy said his mother, Juanita Kennedy, has encouraged and supported his dreams of performing. He is currently in the process of starting a small in-home business called Bottled Beautiful, which recycles wineglasses and stemware into art pieces.

“Music has always been a passion of mine,” said Kennedy.

LillardJoseph Lillard has only been performing since his freshman year of college, but he has already competed in Taste of Talent twice. The 21-year-old Oil City resident began singing in college as a way to relieve stress after sustaining a serious knee injury. Lillard built up to Taste of Talent by performing at open mic nights at Clarion University, where he is an upcoming junior majoring in early childhood special education. He made it to the Semi-Finals during his first year and performed “Sweet Home Alabama” just three days after his knee operation. Lillard said he is always looking for ways to improve his singing and is looking forward to his third time in Taste of Talent.

Littler 2Mitch Littler has recently become a full-time musician after singing for 10 years. The 24-year-old Oil City resident plays in a band with his father and brother called South Side String Kings, which played at the launch of the Venango County Regional Airport. Littler has performed at the Juke Joint Festival in Mississippi and plays mainly blues music. He performs locally eight to 10 times a month.

McCannNicole McCann, of Titusville, has competed in Taste of Talent twice before and once in Titusville Live in 2012. Inspired by her dad, who is also a singer, the 19-year-old has been singing since age eight. McCann plays guitar, piano, and violin and was involved in her middle school chorus and high school talent shows. She has auditioned for The Voice twice and will be attending Clarion University this August.

MooreheadRandy Moorehead, 31, of Oil City, has performed as the lead singer of Constant Distraction for the past five years. The 90’s alternative band will play its last show this weekend, after which Moorehead hopes to focus more on his two children Conner and Olivia. Moorehead grew up playing piano and drums and began singing for audiences at age 24. This will be his third consecutive time competing in Taste of Talent. Moorehead said he loves the competition and meeting new people through the experience.

Powley 2Cassy Powley, of Leeper, is competing in her third Taste of Talent competition. The 18-year-old is an upcoming senior at North Clarion High School and has been involved in school choir and band. Powley said her involvement in music began before she was even conceived, when her parents played in a band in the 70’s. She now performs at bluegrass festivals and loves singing classic country. Powley was encouraged to compete in Taste of Talent by people who love her singing.

“I don’t (perform) for the money,” Powley said. “I do it because I love it.”

WolfgongDeanna Wolfgong, of Rocky Grove, entered her first Taste of Talent competition three years ago because she missed performing publicly. The 31-year-old is a three-time contestant who has been singing since age five and performed in district choir in high school. She studied music and voice at Slippery Rock University and graduated with a certification in music therapy. Wolfgong plays the guitar, piano and ukelele, but her main focus is voice. She owns DS Music Therapy, a private practice based in Franklin that offers music therapy sessions and beginner music lessons.

ZacherlJoni Zacherl, 16, is competing in her first Taste of Talent this year. Zacherl attends Clarion-Limestone High School and plays percussion in the band. She has been singing since age six and has performed in school talent shows and singing competitions at fairs in Clarion County, Jefferson County, and Kittanning. Zacherl would love to pursue music in college and is thankful for the chance to compete in Taste of Talent.

“I thought (Taste of Talent) was a good opportunity for me. I love to sing and perform,” Zacherl said.

Taste of Talent will take place every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Bandstand Park from June 29 through July 27. Semi-Finals will be held on Saturday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m., and Finals will be held on Sunday, August 7, at 4:00 p.m.

(Photos courtesy of Taste of Talent 2016 contestants and Garrett Kline)


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