16-year-old Gilroy resident to compete at the weekend’s annual
Garlic Festival
By Betsy Avelar Staff Writer
Gilroy – The ice hockey player was about to give up on his dream, until he finally heard his name on the air as the radio station’s third finalist.
Since Friday morning, Gilroy resident Dominic Woodson called radio station Mix 106.5 to audition for the first “Garlic Idol” contest that will take place at the 28th Annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. From the Temptations to the Eagles, he sang his heart out and still no luck was had for the 16-year-old. Despite the rejection, he continued to get up at 4:45am ready for the cue from the radio station. He tried to better his singing every time, but his voice wasn’t the problem.
“He got in literally almost every single hour ,” said Producer Tim Bednarz from Mix 106.5. “He just never had enough votes.” And, that was exactly what Woodson worked on.
“My mom actually did a lot of the calling to her family members, and they have kids,” said Woodson. “I called some of my friends, I called the gas station where I work. When we heard my name, everybody started screaming, my little brothers just came and jumped on me,” said Woodson. He is also the eldest of six siblings.
Persistence was key in his situation and is one of the main qualities needed for this competition, but having a vision will take the finalists to the finish line.
“I want it pretty bad, my mom told me about (the competition), and I always wanted to try out in “American Idol;” and she said ‘If you want to be on “American Idol”, you need to do this first to see if you’re good enough,’ ” Woodson said referring to the hit TV show.
The “Garlic Idol” contest will take place beginning Friday. For those who do not get a chance to audition on air, Friday auditions will be open to the first 50 people to register at the Garlic Idol tent. From the 50, only five will be chosen to go on to the Saturday auditions where the finalists form the radio station, and the five chosen on Friday, will compete. On Sunday, only three from the 10 will have the opportunity to compete for the grand prize of 1,000 gallons of gas.
Woodson said he intended to drink honey lemon tea before he auditioned each day, but the power was out at his Eagle Ridge home in Gilroy until today. Now with a working microwave, he finally had some tea.
“I’m going to drink lots of that honey lemon tea, it’s the worst stuff in the world but it works,” he said.
Betsy Avelar is an intern and attends Gavilan College. Reach her at 847-7216 or ba*****@***oo.com.
