Booth finally tops ‘Quest’

“I feel like Susan Lucci!” That’s about all long-time “Quest for the Best” competitor Alyson Booth could say last night as she returned to the stage under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina to collect the top prize for her first time.
Booth, of course, was referring to TV soap star Susan Lucci of “All My Children” who, while nominated for daytime Emmys again and again over the years, finally was crowned best actress in 1999.
Booth has competed in every “Quest” since its inception, but only had managed to garner finishes other than first place.
Booth wooed the judges with her confident and soulful take on Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” which also drew thunderous applause from the crowd of some 1,800 people—1,600 under the tent and another 200 outside it— on hand for the ever-popular singing competition.
The first-place prize was $500.
Michele Kaczmar won the $300 second-place prize with her strong, experienced voice powering Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz,” and getting the crowd clapping along.
Kaczmar participated in the inaugural “Quest” but didn’t capture any of the prizes that year.
And R.J. Comeau not only went home with the $200 third-place prize, but also the Contestant’s Choice ($100) and People’s Choice for the second set ($150).
He sang and played guitar for his rockin’ rendition of Ram Jam’s “Black Betty.”^“This is a great closer for me as it’s my last summer in Fort Frances,” noted Comeau, who’s competed twice before in “Quest.”^Meanwhile, Don “Hollywood” Hyatt, who did a rendition of Guns ’n Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” that would make Axl Rose proud, nabbed the People’s Choice award for the first set.
Wayne Lawres of Winnipeg won the Most Original category ($100 prize) with his self-penned tune, “20 Years Ago,” while Debbie Connon, who belted out “She No One Else” on Earth by Wynona, wowed the crowd all the way to the Audience Participation prize ($100).
Jay McFarland, summer ambassador for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, which organizes “Quest,” said this morning he “was truly impressed” by the event.
“It was one of the best ‘Quests’ we’ve ever put on,” he remarked, adding the demand for tickets exceeded the number printed so organizers had to let some more people to watch from outside the tent.
“With a crowd like that, it only shows how important ‘Quest’ and the bass tournament are as community events for Fort Frances,” added McFarland.
This year’s line-up consisted of 19 soloists and three duets, who performed in two sets of 11 acts.
The other performers included:
•Susie Grynol—Everywhere (Michelle Branch);
•Jamie Lockman—Happy (Intwine);
•Sarah Hebert—Goodbye’s the Saddest Word (Celine Dion);
•Christi and Kelly Moulik—Cry (Mandi Moore);
•Charles Fisher—The General (Dispatch);
•Christina Sletmoen—Just Like A Pill (Pink);
•Adrian Indian—Mama Said (Metallica);
•Erika Fagerdahl—Old Time Rock ’n Roll (Bob Seger);
•Tracy Williams and Lisa McPherson—The Tide is High (Blondie);
•Jeremy Wilson—Madrigals (Howie Day);
•Heather Newman—Soak Up the Sun (Sheryl Crowe);
•Kim and Christine Badiuk— Does He Love You? (Reba McIntyre and Linda Davis);
•Jason Godin—Hard to Handle (Black Crowes);
•Jodie Allan—There You’ll Be (Faith Hill);
•Karl Martinson—Here I Go Again (Whitesnake); and
•Cara Coran—Something to Talk About (Bonnie Raitt).
“Quest” judges were Sandra Allan, Kate Woods, and Todd Summers.
Last year’s “Quest” champ, Marc Desforges, also made an appearance last night, singing Journey’s “Faithfully” and Skid Row’s “18 and Life” during the second intermission.
The back-up band this year was “The Faculty,” consisting of Chris Denby, Steve Denby, Rob Donaldson and Jim Newman.
In related news, the winner of Tuesday’s night’s “Battle of the Bands” was announced as “Hearsay” (Brent Danylchuk, Todd Wrolstad, Tyler Gagne, and Ted DeBenetti).
Besides winning the $500 prize, they also will open for “Harlequin” tomorrow at 9 p.m. under the big tent.