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By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 08:52 p.m. EDT, Jun 13, 2009
HARTVILLE: With smooth mellow tones, DeMetrius Rodriguez captured the audience and the judges to win the Alive 09 solo competition Saturday at Hartville Marketplace.
The Alliance man won a spot to perform at the Alive Christian Music Festival next Saturday at Clay's Park outside Canal Fulton.
Rodriguez, 33, sang Stand by Donnie McClurkin. ''It's my favorite song and my favorite artist,'' he said. ''It tells you that no matter what you are going through, you can stand on the strength of your faith and make it, because God will bring you through it.''
Radio morning show host Brooke Taylor of WFHM-FM said Rodriguez had ''great stage presence and vocal ability.''
Alive director Bill Graening called Rodriguez's voice polished and smooth, like Luther Vandross, then asked him whether he had ever heard that comparison.
Rodriguez admitted that he had. And like Vandross, he also writes songs. He writes most of his songs with friend Ron King of Louisville. They usually sing together as Men II Ministry.
In fact, his friend told him about the competition. First King's wife informed him of the competition, and he spread the word to Rodriguez.
''He text messaged me Friday and said, 'We need to do this,' '' Rodriguez said. ''We knew it was a solo competition but we went for it anyway. We just had to sing separately.''
There was a lot of competition, with 90-some singers.
King said the competition was tough, but he figured he'd try anyway.
He didn't make the top 10.
In fact, the top 10 ended up being the top 11 because the stiff competition caused a tie.
Rodriguez said he is his worst critic when he judges himself, so he resigns his thoughts to the joy of singing. ''It's all about ministering and singing,'' he said.
He also won a $75 gift certificate from the Hartville Marketplace and a chance to sing on The Fish Morning Show on the radio.
Second-place winner was Rick Thompson, 39, of Freedom Township in Portage County. He sang Can't Nobody. He said he had butterflies, but had always heard that was a good thing because, if you lose the butterflies, you lose the awe of it all.
Third-place winner Janeen Berry, 19, of Washington, Pa., sang No Greater Love. She said she was just thrilled. ''I'm happy with placing in the top three,'' she said.
The second- and third-place winners won $50 gift certificates to the Hartville Marketplace.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
HARTVILLE: With smooth mellow tones, DeMetrius Rodriguez captured the audience and the judges to win the Alive 09 solo competition Saturday at Hartville Marketplace.
The Alliance man won a spot to perform at the Alive Christian Music Festival next Saturday at Clay's Park outside Canal Fulton.
Rodriguez, 33, sang Stand by Donnie McClurkin. ''It's my favorite song and my favorite artist,'' he said. ''It tells you that no matter what you are going through, you can stand on the strength of your faith and make it, because God will bring you through it.''
Radio morning show host Brooke Taylor of WFHM-FM said Rodriguez had ''great stage presence and vocal ability.''
Alive director Bill Graening called Rodriguez's voice polished and smooth, like Luther Vandross, then asked him whether he had ever heard that comparison.
Rodriguez admitted that he had. And like Vandross, he also writes songs. He writes most of his songs with friend Ron King of Louisville. They usually sing together as Men II Ministry.
In fact, his friend told him about the competition. First King's wife informed him of the competition, and he spread the word to Rodriguez.
''He text messaged me Friday and said, 'We need to do this,' '' Rodriguez said. ''We knew it was a solo competition but we went for it anyway. We just had to sing separately.''
There was a lot of competition, with 90-some singers.
King said the competition was tough, but he figured he'd try anyway.
He didn't make the top 10.
In fact, the top 10 ended up being the top 11 because the stiff competition caused a tie.
Rodriguez said he is his worst critic when he judges himself, so he resigns his thoughts to the joy of singing. ''It's all about ministering and singing,'' he said.
He also won a $75 gift certificate from the Hartville Marketplace and a chance to sing on The Fish Morning Show on the radio.
Second-place winner was Rick Thompson, 39, of Freedom Township in Portage County. He sang Can't Nobody. He said he had butterflies, but had always heard that was a good thing because, if you lose the butterflies, you lose the awe of it all.
Third-place winner Janeen Berry, 19, of Washington, Pa., sang No Greater Love. She said she was just thrilled. ''I'm happy with placing in the top three,'' she said.
The second- and third-place winners won $50 gift certificates to the Hartville Marketplace.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Akron, , OH
Posted 10:38 PM, 06/13/2009
Great competition for the moral!! Maybe grump can find something bad?
Posted 07:14 PM, 06/14/2009
It is nice to see moral stories for a change. Christian rock ... great for the soul! Those who don't like it are LOST souls!
