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Berkshire Idol: Let's Hear It for the BoysBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
09:28PM / Saturday, March 14, 2009
 Above, Idol winners Todd Hamilton and Brandon Haskell; left, runners-up Jessica Perrault and Gabrielle Straight. More photos here.
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It was boy's night out on Saturday as Todd "Lunchbox" Hamilton and Brandon Haskell wowed the judges to be come this year's Berkshire Idols in the adult and junior categories, respectively.
"I didn't expect it. I literally did not expect it," said a slightly dazed Hamilton after being awarded a large, literally, $1,000 check for his rendition of Edward McCain's "I'll Be." "There are five others here I thought would get it."
It was, said judge Tracy Grammar, "a great song for your voice." Fellow judge John Souchak called it "a great performance."
"What a great way to wrap this up."
Hamilton took the stage at Drury High School as the last performer of the 16 semifinalists vying for Berkshire Idol bragging rights - along with $1,000 and four hours of recording time at Skyboro Studio. The annual event is a fundraiser for local groups and charities; contestants and the event raised $11,200. This year's beneficiary is Windsor School of Music in North Adams.
Judges were Souchak, Grammar and Corey Moran. Each offered a positive comment to the contestants as they faced the judges after performing. Each contestant was scored and the results tabulated backstage. The event moved fairly quickly, covering 2 1/2 hours with an intermission and encore performances by last year's winners, Kristina Clark and Mary Alice Wieland.
The evening's emcee was DJ Tred Hulse of "The Morning Show" on "The River" 99.5 FM, out of Albany, N.Y.
Twelve-year-old Brandon of North Adams sang the ballad "Broken Wing" by Martina McBride capped by tremendous applause from an appreciative audience. "You nailed it," said Souchak.
Brandon's reaction to winning was to the point: "It's awesome."
Runners-up went to the ladies, with Jessica Perrault, 23, taking second in the adult category for a smooth take on "Black Velvet" and Gabrielle Straight in the junior for "My New Philosophy." Both charmed the judges with their stage presence as well as their voices.
"Even though I didn't get first, it's OK," said Gabrielle, add she really wanted to thank her mom for driving her to North Adams so she could compete. "It was just so exciting."
Hamilton said his prize money will be put to use for tuition at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he's studying to be middle school science teacher. He's also technical director at Main Street Stage, where he thinks he'll now get more stage time.
He's knows exactly what he's going to do with the studio time.
"I have original music that I've been wanting to record for a long, long time," he grinned.
Editor's Note: As pointed out by a commentator below, we got our "Broken Wing" songs messed up when it came to Brandon Haskell's performance. We thought it was "Broken Wings." We apologize for the error and have fixed it.
Below: All the contestants.
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Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary. Comments are closed for this article. If you would like to contribute information on this article, e-mail us at info@iBerkshires.com |
| I am sooo happy for my brother...GO BRANDON. But I think I deserved a TOP spot myself. | | from: Chrissy Haskell | on: 03-15-2009 12:00AM
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| WOW to all contestants who participated. Remember, you made it this far! :o) And great job to the "Alumni" from last year--Kristina Clark, I hope you have a record deal!!! WOW!! All participants you did great, and in any competition, there has to be those who don't win...NOT "losers," just not #1. GREAT JOB E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E!!!!!! | | from: SUPER | on: 03-15-2009 12:00AM
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| Jessica Did Wonderful!!!!Iam So Proud Of Her..She has wanted to do this for along time!!!Way to go !!I Love You!!!MOM | | from: Ann M. Prew | on: 03-15-2009 12:00AM
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| brandon im real sorry i could not make it but i knew you would win.... great job i want a copy of your first cd !!!!!!!!!!!!! I did hear you sing your first song you are very good....... | | from: laurie -family dollar | on: 03-15-2009 12:00AM
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| Gabrielle, you were (are) AWESOME! You did a great job last night and I know that you will go far! Congratulations and have fun in the recording studio! | | from: A Fan | on: 03-15-2009 12:00AM
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You're #1 in our book. We're so proud of how well you did. Keep on singing girl, it's a gift.
Love you,
Sue C. | | from: Markell | on: 03-16-2009 12:00AM
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Brandon, I knew you were headed for good things
with your great voice. You were great even though you didn't choose one of Reba's songs. You were and still are a star here at Brayton. Best wishes. | | from: Mr. B. | on: 03-16-2009 12:00AM
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Sorry about that Markell. I messed up with my post to you and made it look like YOU were leaving a post.
Here's how it should have read:
MARKELL,
You're #1 in our book. We're so proud of how well you did. Keep on singing girl, it's a gift.
Love you,
Sue C
| | from: Sue C | on: 03-16-2009 12:00AM
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Twelve-year-old Brandon of North Adams sang the 1980s ballad "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister capped by tremendous applause from an appreciative audience. "You nailed it," said Souchak.
THAT IS NOT WHAT HE SANG!!!! He sang "Broken Wing" by Martina McBride. Def. two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT songs!! :o) | | from: | on: 03-16-2009 12:00AM
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It was a very fun competition, and yes my reaction to winning was right to the point. Just as Todd Hamilton stated after winning" I did not expect it!" There is one mistake written in the text above. It says that I sang "Broken Wings" by Mister mister, and that is a completely different song. I sang "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride. I just wanted to make that correction so that no one got confused! Thank you!!
Editor: I fixed it Brandon. Sorry about that. | | from: Brandon Haskell | on: 03-16-2009 12:00AM
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HANNAH LEVESQUE, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR GETTING UP ON THAT STAGE AND SHOWING EVERYONE WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF. AS THAT ONE JUDGE SAID "YOU'RE SPICY" DON'T EVER LOSE YOUR LITTLE EDGE, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE EXPECTS OF YOU. BE WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE I LOVE EVERY BIT OF IT. I LOVE YOU BABY.
LOVE,
MAMA | | from: JENNIFER | on: 03-21-2009 12:00AM
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| Heyy everybody, it is Brandon! I was just looking back at the article to get a refresher of the show because it has been a couple months now. It really was an awesome night. Everyone did so well! I just thank the whole Berkshire Idol comittee for both the prizes and for allowing me to perform on the stage. A singing profession has and always will be my dream, and this is one step closer! Also, good luck in the music industry for all the contestants in the future. Kids and adults, you are all great. Thank you everyone and have a lovely day! I can't wait for next year's competition!! | | from: Brandon Haskell | on: 05-21-2009 12:00AM
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