Talent Show

by John Bauer
I was fortunate enough to be a judge at the Top 10 Talent Search at the Reif Center last night in Grand Rapids.  Our mission was to judge the final 10 participants and come up with the Top 3.  Piece of cake, right?  Wrong!  Man ... there were some talented musicians there. The Durocher Family .. Gary Burt .. Marjie Shrimpton ..  Wayne Leeds .. Laurie Antonson .. Courtney Gunsalus .. The Simple Guys .. Caleigh .. Nathan Emerson .. Mikaela Krampotich and Jenny Graupmann.

The three finalists were 17 year old Nathan Emerson doing a amazing Sonata (3rd place) ... Courtney Gunsalus doing an upbeat country tune and a solo Star Spangled Banner that made your hairs stand up (2nd place) and the winner, 16 year old Mikaela Krampotich from Hibbing.  Mikaela played two of her original songs: the first on guitar and the second on piano. She is an amazing talent and has a very bright future.  You can hear Mikaela play her winning song on this Friday's Morning Show on KAXE with Heidi and John at 8:10 AM.

My congratulations to everyone who performed.  You were all fantastic!