Winning Morgan Hill Idol was a good start for Julie Cortez. She
has two years to polish her performance before her chance to stand
next to Ryan Seacrest on a stage in front of millions of TV
viewers.
Winning Morgan Hill Idol was a good start for Julie Cortez. She has two years to polish her performance before her chance to stand next to Ryan Seacrest on a stage in front of millions of TV viewers.
“This is good practice for the real ‘American Idol,’ ” the 14-year-old’s father Florante Cortez said Thursday night after his daughter won Morgan Hill’s second edition of the singing competition. “American Idol” requires try-outs to be at least 16 years old.
“We’ll call you when she makes it,” he said.
In front of about 300 people, Cortez wowed judges with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” singing a unique rendition made popular by “American Idol” star Katharine McPhee.
Florante, who always chooses Julie’s music – he’s the one with singing genes – said they searched YouTube to find the victorious Idol song. This year music accompaniment was eliminated because last season some singers brought music and others did not creating a less-fair competition, according to last year’s Morgan Hill Idol winner Larry Gamble.
He was a judge on the four-person panel since the first Idol tryout July 1 that found the best singer each Thursday Night Street Dance over 10 weeks. Eleven finalists sang Thursday (one singer was added that night) but weren’t slammed with Simon Cowell-like pleasantries – the judges kept opinions at the table, instead praising the bravery of all performers.
“It’s very hard to sing a capella like this,” Gamble said. “My hat’s off to them.”
Gamble is using his prize from last year’s win of recording time at Thatrecordingcompany on Depot Street to produce an album that he hopes to release before Christmas, he said. Idol hopefuls drove from as far as Watsonville and Hollister to take a shot at the crown and this year’s grand prize: a karaoke machine and $100 worth of CDs.
The second-annual contest moved from West Second Street to the Third Street Promenade this year, opening the area to downtown-only food vendors such as BookSmart who sold ice-cream and Hot Java offering coffee and tea. And it all came to be thanks to the work of Rosy’s At The Beach owner Rosy Bergin and Carte Luna’s owner Patty Curtis.
“We like it on that street. It was a test year to see if we liked it there,” Curtis said. “It’s cozy and everyone seems to enjoy it.”
Curtis did say the street dance committee will meet soon to discuss “new, fun surprises” for next summer, though she was mum on the details and wouldn’t confirm if Idol would make a third go-around.
The pool of 11 finalists Thursday night appealed to a wide range of auditory likings from Miley Cyrus to Christian praise music to “Memory” from Broadway’s “Cats.” But it was the smooth melodies belted by Julie, a Martin Murphy eighth-grader, that activated shrieks and “whoo-hoos!” from her cluster of family and friends who gathered on the grass lawn to hear her sing.
After the judges whittled the field to three – Jesaiah Baer, 14, from Hollister, Laura Presti from Gilroy and Julie – they each sang a snippet of a song once more to convince the judges of their talent.
Julie’s voice won them over. After the announcement by emcee Eric Wallace and an award of a yellow rose and the karaoke machine, Julie was crowded by hugs.
“I’ve never ceased to be amazed by the talent in this area,” Wallace said.
Julie’s friend, Linnea Locsin, 16, was eager to talk about Julie.
“Oh my gosh, she’s phenomenal. She gives me the chills when she sings. She’s so humble and is always working hard … she’s just awesome,” she said. Linnea’s mother Rose Locsin Donato has been Julie’s voice teacher since she was 9 years old.
“I’m pushing her for more than just fun. Music is always going to be with her forever,” Locsin Donato said.
Julie started singing at 4 in the living room before moving to the church choir and entering competitions. Winning isn’t new to Julie, though you couldn’t tell by her unassuming disposition. Twice she won the Youth Focus Talent Competition in San Jose and she will sing “Ave Maria” in the annual Christmas concert put on by St. Catherine’s and the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints.
“We want her to build some confidence and to not be so shy,” her mother Juliet Cortez said. “She needs to know she has a great voice.”
Finalists (not in order)
- Jesaiah Baer*, 14, Hollister, “Zing with the Strings of My Heart,” Judy Garland
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Leanne Ridgers, Gilroy, “At This Moment” Billy Vera
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Allen Coughlin, Hollister, “Folsom Prison Blues” Johnny Cash
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Lilsy Sanchez, 13, Gilroy, “Oh, How He Loves Us” Kim Walker
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Mitzi Sanchez, 10, Gilroy, “I Miss You” Miley Cyrus
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Julie Cortez*, 14, Morgan Hill, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Judy Garland
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Samantha Morado, 15, Morgan Hill, “More Like Her” Miranda Lambert
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Laura Presti*, Gilroy, “Dreams” Fleetwood Mac
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Deborah Colling, Morgan Hill, “Memory” Cats
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Elizabeth Estrada, Watsonville, “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” Freddy Fender
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Kyle Wright, Morgan Hill, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” Brooks & Dunn
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Made it to the final round of competition.
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