A good read..

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Sunday Oct 02, 2005

Updated: 09/28/05

By Beth Seltzer
HappyNews Citizen Reporter

Popular TV shows make a game out of criticism. Half the fun of American Idol is watching Simon rip singers to shreds. But last weekend, I was happily reminded that cheering on an aspiring artist hasn't lost its appeal.

Last weekend was the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, PA. It's a festival of all things Celtic, from Highland games to folk music to food. This year it included the first annual Irish Singing Contest. Men and women of all ages took their turns on stage. There was no band, no background music. Just a microphone and a chair.

A white-bearded man sang a silly tune about a piper and a cow. A little girl with a grown-up voice brought out the exquisite sadness of losing one's true love. A middle-aged woman gave us a wistful song about leaving Ireland for America's shores. And then a young woman climbed the steps to the microphone. Pale and nervous, she stuttered out the name of her song. Her voice was high-pitched and faint.

Halfway through the second verse, she stumbled and forgot the words. She looked over at the judges, said something we couldn't hear. Stood there clearly searching her mind for the next line. I sat in the back row watching her, thinking, poor thing. She's going to cry.

The rest of the audience sat in polite silence. It didn't even occur to me to do anything but watch her leave the stage. And then someone up front yelled out, "You can do it!" Someone else called, "Go on!" A few people started to clap. And suddenly there we were, 200 strangers, clapping, cheering, rooting for this young woman who'd worked up the nerve to get up there in front of us. We watched her take a deep breath and start to sing again. She made it through another two verses, her voice getting clearer and stronger. Then she got stuck again.

Immediately we were behind her: "Finish it! We know you can!" By the end of the last verse, I swear her voice was the sweetest of anyone we'd heard. She didn't win the contest, of course. An elderly gentleman, who'd obviously been singing in front of people his entire life, took home that honor. But I'd like to think we gave her a reason to keep singing, not just on that stage, but for many years to come.

JeffLeeper · Post by **JeffLeeper** » Sunday Oct 02, 2005

That rocks. That's what it's all about.

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Sunday Oct 02, 2005

That IS really sweet but things like that don't happen round here

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Sunday Oct 02, 2005

FatVin wrote:That IS really sweet but things like that don't happen round here

So true Vin but its sad that it doesn't

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Sunday Oct 02, 2005

It takes that one person to say it out loud, "You can do it!" Then everybody jumps on the bandwagon. I used to work at Celtic Classic every year, and I can picture this scenario in my mind. Good post, Bob.--->JMS

Post by **Jim Price** » Sunday Oct 02, 2005

I saw something similar happen a couple of years ago at Dennie Huber's "Crazy Fest." A young lady from Altoona Area High School (I believe in her junior year) showed up in the audience and entered her age division of "Crazy Fest" last-minute on a spur-of-the-moment whim, and when it was her turn to sing, she started into her song. She had a good voice, but encountered nerves, and forgot the words. Before she could lose her composure, Dennie Huber urged her on, and the audience cheered her on. After she completed the song, she looked embarrassed for forgetting her words, but Dennie and the crowd still cheered for her for getting up and trying. I think she wound up winning third place in her age division.

That's one reason I continually pimp for "Crazy Fest" every year, because it's always been about encouraging talent, and not discouraging it. Dennie is always supportive of the effort, and the audience is supportive as well.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Monday Oct 03, 2005

Right on JP! Props to Mr. Dennie Huber for MC'ing the Bedford fall foilage festival today! The man is Mr entertainment and talked the Canes up like we were stars!! Try to catch his house on Halloween also, right below KFC on union ave, Take the kids for the best Halloween house in Altoona!! PM me for more details!

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Monday Oct 03, 2005

That's pretty awesome...I haven't had the opportunity to witness anything of that context, or take part in it but, it would be cool to see happen sometime.

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Monday Oct 03, 2005

"If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP!"

I have to give props to anyone who has the intestinal fortitude to get up in front of a crowd, whether they can carry a tune or they can play an instrument well...and the ones who do it well garner my utmost respect.

Aw, gee willikers, this Post shows Hurricane DOES have a heart!

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Monday Oct 03, 2005

songsmith wrote:It takes that one person to say it out loud, "You can do it!" Then everybody jumps on the bandwagon. I used to work at Celtic Classic every year, and I can picture this scenario in my mind. Good post, Bob.--->JMS

...or "you can DO this". My daughter plays Varsity Soccer and I yell "whoo" quite loud for goals, kicks, blocks, throw ins, you name it, clap and am VERY supportive, no matter the score. There is another Soccer Mom, gotta love her, even if my daughter's team is losing bad, say 5-0 and there's only 2 minutes to go in the game,
she'll be yelling "girls, you can DO this!"...it's a tad humorous to twisted ol' me and there are times I've had to try real hard not to LOL.

Peace,
YankeeRose

ASB10 · Post by **ASB10** » Monday Oct 03, 2005

an Irish festival, and not one drunk who yelled "You suck" or "sing something we can dance to...."

Amazing......

ROCKPAGE

A good read..

A good read..

been there