La Reunion Idol brew talent
By Samantha Hurst | Shelby County Reporter
Baristas brewed deep, rich espressos at La Reunion Coffee in Helena Friday night to a packed house of patrons anxiously awaiting more than flowing coffee.
The musical stylings of six local artists took stage April 16 to compete for the title of La Reunion Idol.
“I can’t believe how young they are,” said judge Josh Brown. “We’re being a little nit picky with them, but they’re so good its sick, and any one of them would blow any other 15 or 16-year-old out of the water.”
Top 6 contestants included Rachel Bullion, Abby Clark, Meghan Farrell, Alexa Rankin, Callie Roney and Katie Searcy, all local high school students.
Rachel Bullion, 17, of Pelham High School began singing in the choir.
“Singing is my passion, but I’ve always had a crutch — singing with someone else or in the choir,” she said. “Now I realize that when I get on stage I love the adrenaline from the crowd.”
Roney, 16, found her passion for music at 13.
Since, she’s written 35 of her own songs and sung at numerous community events.
“I really did this to get some exposure,” Roney said. “To get myself out there and allow people to hear my music.”
Exposure — contestants are getting plenty of it.
“We began renting about 30 chairs to accommodate the crowd, but even after that it’s become standing room only,” said La Reunion Owner Robin Howell. “It’s serious too – people really get into it. It’s become a great way to support local talent.”
Judging the talent are Brown, who’s been a musician for 13 years playing in the blues group “Slim Pickin’s” and currently “The Rustic Family,” and Andrew Henderson, owner of Lost in Sound – a Helena–based recording studio.
Henderson plans to offer the winner the opportunity to record their own demo CD.
Vocal adviser Erin Trapolino also provides constructive critiques to each of the singers after their performances.
Both judges play the shop on a regular basis. Henderson said he’s enjoyed meeting the up and coming artists and sharing his own experiences from being in the music business for the last 10 years.
“I had not met a lot of the talent even though many of them play here from time to time as well,” Henderson said. “So, its exciting to meet other musicians I haven’t heard before.”
What might not be exciting is the flack they sometimes receive.
Brown regularly gets heckled much like American Idol’s own Simon Cowell. After telling contestant Abby Clark he felt she could do much better than her performance of Jackson 5’s “Give Me One More Chance,” someone in the crowd yelled, “Yay, Abby. Boo, Josh.”
Each just takes it in stride and focuses on helping the musicians perfect their craft.
The judges listen not only to vocal capability, but originality too.
“So, yeah if I hear them mimicking someone else, I sort of knock them for it. We just want them to find themselves as artists,” he said.
Henderson looks for stage presence.
“That’s something that takes time to develop but we do want them to have a conversation with the audience and tell a story,” Henderson said.
Roney said she spends hours dissecting her songs. So, she’s very particular about what song she performs in front of an audience.
“When it comes to my music, I want to do this for a good reason. If one of my songs caught on and was played on the radio it would be great — but fame isn’t necessarily why I do this. I want to impact someone.”
The top 4 were selected based on judges’ rankings and the votes of audience members, which count for one-third of each contestant’s score.
Those contestants include: Abby Clark, Meghan Farrell, Alexa Rankin and Callie Roney.
The top 4 will perform next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Farmer 100th brirthday celebrated
By Laura Brookhart | Shelby County Reporter
Family and friends of Edith Farmer packed La Reunion on the afternoon of March 28 to wish the perky centenarian a happy 100th birthday.
It was the fifth party given in her honor.
Her four children shared the stage at La Reunion, each speaking lovingly and sharing memories.
Eldest son, John Hollis Howell, was the first principal of Vestavia High School when it opened in 1970.
In attendance at the gathering were boyhood friends of his who referred to him as “Johnny Howell, our ringleader.”
“Edith would take the five of us snotty-nosed kids fishing — to Lake Purdy or Edgewood Lake — in her ’44 Ford convertible. I have loved her ever since,” said George Massey, who was there with his own wife of 57 years, Delores.
“We were the Fairview neighborhood group,” said Bill Allen. Bob Ivy, an older member of that group, was also in attendance.
Daughter Faye Farmer presented her mother with a copy of Birmingham Then and Now.
“So many of these places pictured bring back the good times we had,” she said. “Kiddyland, Cascade Plunge and picnics at Holiday Beach.”
Son Robert Farmer spoke with a tear in his eye, “What I remember about Mother, is that she never raised her voice to me, even when I deserved it.”
Bill Farmer said he thinks of his mother as a champion poker player in the game of life.
“Whatever hand she was dealt, she would make it into a full house,” Bill said.
His wife, Mickey, remembered, “Everyone was always welcome at Edith’s house. She hugged every one of us and invited us to come back.”
A special treat during the afternoon was a performance by Jim Connor, Edith Farmer’s nephew.
A member of the New Kingston Trio from 1969-73, with one platinum and eight gold records to his credit, Connor sang a song written and composed especially for Edith Farmer called “Heaven’s Gift.”
“A hundred years so sweet, so strong
To be in tune with God’s dear song
Her children’s children’s Legacy
Her Spirit shines for all to see.
Birthday Girl One-Hundred strong
Her Love in tune with God’s sweet song
Her Gift, Our Joy: Her Legacy
Heaven’s Song for all Eternity.
Laura Brookhart can be reached by e–mail at labro16@yahoo.com.