The Woodlands Idol Competition first finalists...some new, some familiar.The Woodlands Chamber’s 3rd Annual The Woodlands Idol competition was played out to a full house at the Crescent Moon Wine Bar Friday night. The event was opened to the first thirty singers who signed up, but only a couple of dozen courageous individuals performed. Amateur karaoke singers know by now, that only the finest talent enters this competition. There were many familiar faces including the trio of judges from The Woodlands Fire Department, Jason Washington, John Lampl, and J.C. Oneto, who have judged the previous two years. Many of the singers were back this year including some semi-finalists from last year, and last year’s second place finisher, “ Frankie.” Frankie and a couple of semi-finalists from last year, advanced to the semi-finals again this year.

As always when I attend an event, I look around and say to myself “Where’s the unique story? What’s different this year?” There were a couple of unique stories this year. There was a brother and sister in the competition; the sister advanced to the semi-finals. And there was a father and his son in the competition. Tom Collins, and son, Matthew, each performed, with Matt advancing to the semi-finals. Last year’s 3rd runner-up, Melanie Collins, is the daughter and sister to these two, which gives credence to the theory that there could be a musicality gene that’s inherent. Imagine, all that talent in one family!

Diesel performing The Rachel Song...an original poem performed to rap.But another unique story was the emergence of some original artists who wrote and performed their own music. On the bill was Ryan McKnight, a songwriter and performer with Wide Open Throttle, who sang an original composition titled “Walking With Angels.” The other original artist was yet another familiar face, but one who is definitely cut from a different cloth…Diesel. Diesel’s style is radically different. Everyone else sang pop tunes, C&W, or ballads from the karaoke songbook, but Diesel raps to his original poetry drawn on his own life experiences and relationships. Last night he rapped to one of his poems about the loss of a friend titled “The Rachel Song.” I’ll admit that rap is not a genre that I have really embraced, primarily because of the lyrics, but Diesel’s lyrics are not vulgar and profane. He writes poetry that he performs to rap, and his poetry is poignant and heart-wrenching. He pours out all his anguish, anger, and heartache in his songs, and last night’s performance was no exception. “The Rachel Song” was especially difficult to get through having lost my younger sister last year, and Diesel expressed every emotion that I’ve kept bottled up.

The nine finalists who now advance to the semi-finals, were predominantly country & western with a few exceptions…”A New York State of Mind,” and Aretha Franklin’s “Son of a Preacher Man,” were especially awesome! The Woodlands Idol is probably not the right venue for Diesel, but I for one, would like to see a separate category for original compositions so that these local talents can be discovered. Diesel, I get your poetry. Now you get it published in a book, and bundle it with your CD! I’ll buy it!