Lineup named for ‘Quest’

Tickets went on sale yesterday for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Quest for the Best,” which will hit the stage July 21 in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship once again.
“Things are going well. We have our 20 contestants,” organizer Dawn Booth said. “It promises to be a great show, with a variety of music styles.”
As previously reported, this year’s “Quest for the Best”—dubbed “Best of Quest”—will see 10 new contestants (or those who have competed before but failed to win a major prize), competing in the first set.
The one winner from that group will move on to vie against 10 previous “Quest” winners in a second set that same night.
Booth noted there will be first-, second-, and third-place winners named from the final batch, but added contestants from either the first or second sets are eligible for prizes such as Audience Participation, People’s Choice, and Contestants’ Choice.
The opening set will feature:
•Elizabeth Logue (Juice Newton’s “Queen of Hearts”);
•Lisa McPherson (“Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes);
•Brittney Hayes—(“I Love Rock ’n Roll” by Joan Jett);
•Erika Fagerdahl (Gladys Knight’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”);
•Charles Fisher (“If You Could Only See” by Tonic);
•Shirley Hanship (“The Shake” by Neil McCoy);
•Kayla Lauzon (“Power of Love” by Celine Dion);
•Doug Judson and Amanda Bone (“I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher);
•Trisha Wilson (Alison Kraus’ “When You Say Nothing At All”); and
•Jeremy Wilson (“Life On A Chair” by Peter Yorn).
Previous winners slated to compete in the second set include:
•Cara Coran (Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walking”);
•Sarah Hebert (“Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson);
•Debbie Connan (Trick Pony’s “On A Night Like This”);
•Graham Matheson (“You May Be Right” by Billy Joel);
•Marc Desforge (“Johnny B. Goode” by Judas Priest);
•R.J. Noga (“Search and Destroy” by Iggy and The Stooges);
•Alyson Booth (Celine Dion’s “I Surrender”);
•Melanie Bodnar (song unconfirmed);
•Jodie Allan (“Up” by Shania Twain); and
•Wayne Lawres (“You Were So Beautiful” by Wayne Lawres).
As with past years, “Quest” still needs the support of local businesses to become a reality, Booth stressed.
The Chamber has managed to find sponsors for all the prizes expect one—a co-sponsor for first-place. The prizes are bigger this year, with first-place to be worth $750.
As such, the Chamber needs another business to co-sponsor that one with Dr. Mary Ellen Kennedy and pitch in $375 (the second- and third-place prizes will be $500 and $250, respectively).
If you are interested in being a sponsor, call Booth at 274-5773 as soon as possible.
In the meantime, “Quest” tickets, which cost $12 in advance, are available at the Chamber office (474 Scott St.) They will cost $15 at the door—if there are any left.
Last year’s show attracted about 1,800 people under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina.