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Berkshire Idol: Let's Hear It for the Boys

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Above, Idol winners Todd Hamilton and Brandon Haskell; left, runners-up Jessica Perrault and Gabrielle Straight. More photos here.
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.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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