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Ponoka Stampede Talent Show boasts 11 finalists

So much talent flooded this year’s Ponoka Stampede Talent Show auditions that the judging team ultimately chose 11 finalists.
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Tanya Nybokus was named one of the top 11 finalists of the Ponoka Stampede Talent Show after the first bout of auditions on Wednesday

So much talent flooded this year’s Ponoka Stampede Talent Show auditions that the judging team ultimately chose 11 finalists rather than the 10 they were originally looking for.

This year’s judges included Dave Gilmore, who once again donated one of his handcrafted guitars as one of the prizes, and the morning show from KG County radio, Jessica Hoy and Matt Di Paola.

Over the course of the two-night auditions — Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28 — the judges saw a total of 42 contestants, who added some flair to the competition by representing in a number of different genres, including country, traditional country, pop and blues rock.

“I think the Ponoka Stampede draws such a huge crowd . . . I think it’ll be a great evening with different genres represented,” said Hoy.

“Just because you’re at a stampede doesn’t mean you need to listen to country,” Di Paola added.

Having chosen 11 finalists, the judges had a tough time sorting through all the vocally endowed contenders. “It was really hard, there was a lot of really, really talented people,” said Hoy.

For Hoy, she was looking for those with the highest confidence to move forward.

“Stage presence is key,” Di Paola explained.

“I think all the people who didn’t make it, keep performing and come back next year,” he added.

The Ponoka Stampede Talent Show has been a part of the Stampede lineup for approximately 30 years and association member and show organizer Keith Kjenner says county stars such as Shane Yellowbird, Gord Bamford, Brett Kissel and Stacie Roper of Hey Romeo have all performed in the show.

“For those of you getting up here for the first time, it all has to start somewhere,” said Kjenner.

He also amused the crowd and calmed nerves with an old Shane Yellowbird anecdote, saying Yellowbird had so much stage fright the first time he was set to perform in the talent show on concert night that Kjenner told him to shield his eyes with his sunglasses and sing with this eyes shut.

“So that’s what he did, and he won,” said Kjenner.

Along with the Dave Gilmore guitar the other prize the competition offers is mentoring time with Bobby Wills and a recording session in Calgary.

Top 11 finalists:

Sam Lundell

Tanya Nydokus

Jordan Hillareguy

Jennie Hawryluk

Jordyn Pollard

Brad Abel

Ashley RiChard

Jeremy Rush

Preston Airey

Jess St. Dennis

Brookelyn Anderson