Hayes tops ‘Walleyedol’

She’s no stranger to the stage—and now she can add another title to her list of accomplishments.
Brittany Hayes, a senior at Fort Frances High School, took home the top prize Saturday night from the third-annual “Walleyedol” singing competition held in conjunction with the Emo Walleye Classic.
“It’s incredible,” Hayes enthused shortly after receiving the $400 for first place. “It’s awesome—I’m shaking.”
The two-day competition saw seven contestants perform on Friday, with the top three being selected by a panel of judges—Crystal Hagen, Jo Bragg, and Katherine Williams—to sing again the following night for the cash prizes.
Hayes opened the Friday evening portion with “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood, followed by Joe Carlson performing “Disease” by Match Box 20.
Lisa McPherson offered up a solid performance of CCR’s “Proud Mary,” complete with a harmonica interlude, while Ken Brown had the crowd clapping along to Uncle Kracker’s “Follow Me.”
Rounding out the evening were Trisha Wilson singing “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, Kimberly Nixon performing Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and Dennis Gagnon offering up Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.”
“Everyone did a really good job,” noted organizer Laurel Mose. “We had a pretty good turnout and a good crowd.”
The three finalists selected to sing on Saturday were Hayes, Brown, and Wilson.
Up first was Wilson, a talented singer who has entered all three “Walleyedol” competitions (placing second last year), “Quest for the Best,” and “Hooked on Talent,” and also has a passion for playing the guitar.
She performed Martina McBride’s “Concrete Angel.”
Brown, who has experience performing in the V.A.L.A. variety shows and with the Emo Centennial Choir, followed with his rendition of Smash Mouth’s “I’m a Believer.”
Then Hayes, who has been involved in both music and theatre at Fort High, and has competed in numerous vocal competitions, including “Canadian Idol” twice, sang “Last” by Celine Dion.
She took home $400 for her first-place finish. Brown earned $200 for second place, as well as $100 for the “People’s Choice” award, while Wilson won $100 for taking third.
“I had no idea [I would win],” Hayes said. “You never know which way things will go—everyone is so good.”
But she added it was nice singing on Saturday knowing she “was in the money,” but stressed she stayed focused because it’s still a competition.
Hayes noted she chose the songs she would sing with her mother’s help.
“I sing karaoke in the basement and we find songs and sing them a lot,” she explained. “And she gives me her opinion.”
Hayes, who placed third during the inaugural “Walleyedol” back in 2005, also said she’s enjoyed the annual competition.
“It’s one of my favourites,” she noted, adding its predecessor event, “Grand Slam Jam,” was the first vocal competition she ever entered.
“The crowd is always so awesome,” she enthused.
Hayes did say she’d like the audience to be closer to the stage because when they are seated far back, it’s difficult to connect with them.
She also would like to see more contestants take part.
“I can’t believe more people don’t sign up,” she remarked. “It’s really a shame because it’s a great event.”
Hayes plans to compete in as many competitions as possible over the summer, including “Quest for the Best” in July (she placed second last year) and “Casting Call” (she placed first during its first year).
“It’s a great experience and it really is the best feeling I’ve ever experienced,” she remarked.
Hayes will be putting her winnings towards her education at Sheridan College, where she will take a performing arts program in the fall.
“I’m going to perform no matter what—it’s my passion,” she stressed.
While the 2007 “Walleyedol” competition, despite it’s slim numbers, was a success, Mose said she hopes some changes to the event next year will draw more participants.
“I have a few ideas to bring to the committee, like lower the age [of contestants] to 14 or having two age groups,” she explained, adding she’d also like to have the competition on one evening, as opposed to the Friday and Saturday night.
“We made some changes this year that worked better and I think changing a few more things for next year would make it even better,” Mose said.