2008 American Traditions Competition

Kiley Watson sings way into first place
By Rexanna Lester for the Savannah Morning News

Kiley Watson maintained her winning ways Saturday to take the Oxnard Gold Medal and $10,000 in the Savannah Music Festival's American Traditions Competition.

The former Savannah resident, who now lives in Marietta northwest of Atlanta, won the second-place silver medal in the 2006 competition.

Watson said her "favorite recent role is playing mommy," and when her two small daughters presented flowers to her on stage Saturday night at First African Baptist Church, the audience could see why she likes that role.

"I hope this is a rebirth for me with music," Watson said.

She had wooed her listeners with a softly sung "Trees on the Mountain" that had the feel of a lullaby and showcased her incredible ability to hold high notes - soft or loud.

Leenya Rideout, of New York City, used her stage presence and animation to take the night's Courtney Knight Gaines Foundation Silver Medal, worth $5,000.

Rideout played guitar as she sang her version of Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window," and she rocked along with her audience, who appeared delighted to be in the church where the competition started 15 years ago.

Her role as Aunt Lizzy in "I Won't Mind" also was an audience favorite. Rideout threw in a bobwhite whistle for those who had heard her perform the Johnny Mercer song Friday.

Shirley Crabbe, of Orangeburg, N.Y., claimed the Stanton Bronze Medal and the $2,500 that went along with the award. The jazz and cabaret singer stuck with her roots and gentle swing in "My Favorite Things," "You Taught My Heart to Sing" and "Mister Paganini."

Fourth-place winner Minnita Daniel-Cox, of Ypsilanti, Mich., filled the church with her beautiful slides on "Summertime." Then she sang "How Could I Ever Know" with a mournful regret that showcased her straight-on pitch.

Fifth-place winner Todd William Donovan, of St. Petersburg, Fla., was smooth and earnest with "Not While I'm Around" and "The Impossible Dream." He dedicated "The Way You Look Tonight" to his wife. The audience showed its appreciation for Donovan's clear diction and his ability to hold the soft notes.

Josef Spencer, of Miami, was declared the sixth-place winner. He put an unusual twist on "Oh, Susannah" and worked with his strength on a rocking arrangement of "Wayfarin' Stranger" and "Birth of the Blues." The entreating "I Am Changing" elicited cheers from the audience.

This year's competition drew 91 entries. Thirty singers performed in the quarterfinals, and 12 made it to the semifinals.

Judges were Gregory Broughton, Shirlee Emmons, Jacqueline Hairston, Kirby Shaw and Sandra Walker.

http://savannahnow.com/node/471567