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12 chosen from Stampede talent show

Singers and songwriters came to town last week to compete in the annual Ponoka Stampede Talent Show.

The event was held May 14 and 15 at the Stagecoach Saloon with 31 acts from central Alberta aiming to impress three judges with their singing and guitar playing. Organizer Karen Kjenner has been a part of the talent show since 2002 and was impressed with the entrants. “I thought it was incredible. I wouldn’t want to be a judge, their job is extremely hard.”

Usually 10 singers are picked to perform at the stampede stage but the judges could not settle on 10; 12 acts made it. They will perform in front of a large crowd during the Stampede on June 26 with Gord Bamford’s band backing them up.

Kjenner doesn’t know who the judge will be this year but the first-place winner will be able to decide between a $3,000 guitar from Dave Gilmore or a songwriting session and $500 toward a promotional song with Duane Steele. The second-place winner will be able to choose the other prize.

Kjenner enjoys listening to the many different singers who come to try their talent out. She recalls Brett Kissell, Jaydee Bixby and Shane Yellowbird who used to tryout. “These are names that have for sure carried on.”

The finalists:

• Olivia Wik from Sherwood Park.

• Ashley McIntosh, Red Deer.

• Troy Thomas, Pigeon Lake.

• Rob Rabbit, Hobbema.

• Jennifer Chipman, Sundre.

• Kelly Giebelhaus, Red Deer.

• Deanna and Jennifer Henderson and Ceanna Prediger, Ponoka.

• Sydney Mae, Cochrane.

• Cassidy Zahar, Bellis.

• Sarah Cormier, Red Deer.

• Alex Dion, Hobbema.

• Jaret Matthews, Rimbey.