Janiah Gomez sings ‘Sweet Thing’ for radio station KERZ call-in
audition; nearly 300 calls received during the 30-minute voting
window
By betsy avelar Staff Writer
Gilroy – Janiah Gomez was up at four in the morning drinking her lemon tea with honey, ready to sing.
When the cue was given, Gomez picked up the phone and sang “Sweet Thing” by Mary J. Blige. She is now a finalist for the inaugural “Garlic Idol” and will compete against nine other entrants at the 28th Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival.
“I was surprised that I made it to the first round,” said the 31-year-old San Jose resident. Gomez has expressed her love for music at the JVC Jazz festival and sings at a club with a band called “Getting Even.” She even named her two little girls Jazz, 5, and Rhythm, 11 months.
“She was on the phone hot and ready to go,” said Tim Dednarz producer of the KERZ radio station where the auditions are taking place. He is one of the judges for the competition call-in auditions, as well as Bill Kelly and Marla Davies, the hosts of the morning show. Dednarz received close to 300 calls during the 30 minute window voting time Friday morning.
To participate in the contest, call in on the cue from Bill and Marla from 5 to 9 in the morning, and if the call goes through, you must sing for 30 seconds. The judges will then decide if you are the qualifier for that particular hour. All four qualifiers for that morning will then be played at 9am, and listeners must call in for their favorite singer; just like the hit TV show “American Idol.” A daily winner is then chosen for that day, depending on the votes from the public. The contest will continue Monday through Thursday until five are chosen by the radio station. Those five contestants are guaranteed a shot at competing with five other singers Saturday. Three of those 10 will make it to the finals; but only one will win.
“I feel excited. I’m just gonna practice and get ready for the next competition,” said Gomez. She already chose her songs for the Saturday and Sunday competition.
The judges for the competition at the festival will be Melissa Noto, a past garlic queen, Dednarz from the radio station mix 106.5, and the third is still undecided. For the finals on Sunday, Bud E. Luv, a Bay Area entertainment icon will help with the judging, said Ryan Ramiro the entertainment chair for the Garlic Festival.
“We’re hoping to get a lot of those listeners out there,” he said.
For those who are unable to get through annoying busy signals when you call in, try auditioning Friday, at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. Be one of the first 50 to register at the Garlic Idol tent and receive a bracelet. You may sing a capella or bring recorded music, but don’t forget to try what Gomez did before she became a finalist; drink some lemon tea with honey.
Betsy Avelar is an intern and attends Gavilan College. Reach her at 847-7216 or ba*****@************ch.com.
