The Laker/Lutz News

American Idol

Wesley Chapel native relishes second shot at ‘American Idol’

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Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio made his first brief appearance on ABC’s hit reality television show “American Idol” back in 2018.

Then he was a timid 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student who perhaps came away best known for his colorful sock collection, before being eliminated during the show’s “Hollywood Week” competition in Los Angeles.

Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio wowed ‘American Idol’ judges with his rendition of Billy Joel’s ‘New York State of Mind,’ during a March 21 episode to advance to the second round of ABC’s hit reality television series. The 20-year-old college student’s run ended shortly thereafter, during the duet challenge of the competition. (Courtesy of Gigi Stevens/Freemantle)

D’Onofrio’s second chance at stardom proved more fruitful.

Entering as a more seasoned and confident 20-year-old college sophomore studying at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, D’Onofrio aimed to advance farther in the competition and to have a more enjoyable experience overall.

Mission accomplished for D’Onofrio.

He made it to the second round of “Hollywood Week” thanks to his rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” as part of the show’s genre challenge.

He also had previously impressed celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie — in a live audition broadcast March 14 singing “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles solo, and “Falling” by Harry Styles with girlfriend and former “Idol” contestant Catie Turner.

However, D’Onofrio’s run ended in the show’s duets challenge on March 22, where showrunners paired him with Sloane Simon, a 16-year-old high school cheerleader from the Pittsburgh area.

Together, they belted out a cover of “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates.

Following the aired performance, Perry said of D’Onofrio: “Listen, I believe in you. You really have grown and overcome.”

In the same breath, however, the Grammy-nominated pop star said both D’Onofrio and his duet partner “need more experience” and “it’s not the time” for them to continue in the competition.

But, she later added this of D’Onofrio on the broadcast: “Next time he comes back, he’s going to show us — the underdog always wins, always.”

Despite a rejection witnessed by millions of viewers nationwide, D’Onofrio came away pleased to have achieved more compared to his first go-round, thanks in part to countless choir and voice lessons taken the past couple years.

He also left with several friendships forged with other talented contestants throughout his appearance on the show.

He traded in his unique socks for showy, colorful sweaters, too.

“My whole thing the second time was getting out of my shell, and I really did think I got out of my shell,” D’Onofrio told The Laker/Lutz News in a recent phone interview.

“I definitely felt better the second time. I just didn’t want to get cut earlier than I did the first time. I just wanted to make it farther, that was my main goal, and I did.”

D’Onofrio acknowledged that he felt more comfortable this time performing in front of the daunting star-studded cast of judges — who are among the world’s all-time best-selling artists in their respective genres. After all, it wasn’t the first time he performed for them.

“I definitely was more confident, because I was like, ‘Yeah, they know me, I’ve done this before,’ like it really wasn’t that bad,” said D’Onofrio, who grew up in the Seven Oaks neighborhood in Wesley Chapel.

“I just saw (the judges) as people this time, instead of figures, because they really do give advice, and talk to you heart-to-heart and it feels real, because some things on TV are sometimes fake, obviously, but when you’re actually there in person and you can connect person to person, it just feels really nice.”

D’Onofrio began singing around his junior year of high school, making his talent known at Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz, which was then owned by his family.

The budding singer-songwriter adeptly plays the piano, electric guitar and ukulele, and fancies himself an old soul at heart — with a passion for oldies and classics music dating to the 1940s era.

“It just feels right when I sing those types of songs,” said D’Onofrio, who lists Billy Joel among his favorites.

“That was kind of my goal with “American Idol,” to introduce the new generation of people that maybe aren’t familiar with that type of music…so it’s like taking older songs and just making them fun and new and that’s kind of my goal, just so people don’t dislike oldies.”

Newfound celebrity
While D’Onofrio said no music labels have reached out to him since his latest “Idol” appearance, he’s received offers to perform at some local piano and jazz bars in Tampa Bay.

His college also has been quite supportive of his career, hosting an “Idol” watch party and has “offered a lot of really cool opportunities,” such as on-campus performances.

He’s also acquired a certain level of fame — from getting verified on Instagram to having fans reach out to him on social media from Argentina, Brazil and Philippines, and other places.

Even former “Idol” contestant Clark Beckham, who finished runner-up on the show in 2015, reached out to him for words of encouragement.

Every once in a while, D’Onofrio is even recognized on campus, or about town.

But, people tend to be timid about approaching him.

“At school, I get so many stares,” he said, noting he realizes it’s because of his American Idol appearances.

He doesn’t say anything, because he thinks that would make them feel awkward.

“People want to say something but they never do, and I’m like, ‘I’m not scary, I swear, it’ll be OK.’”

Music is the motivation
D’Onofrio continues to make music from his college dorm room — which he’s transformed into a makeshift studio.

He also collaborates on projects with a friend through FaceTime calls.

He plans to release a single titled, “Don’t Leave,” in late April, which he describes as “a pop piano ballad.”

He’s also working to produce and release an EP album by summertime.

Now the lingering question: Could the third time be the charm for D’Onofrio, on “American Idol” or another reality television singing competition?

At the moment, D’Onofrio is focused on finding success as an independent artist and pursuing a degree in music management.

But he hasn’t closed the door on music competitions.

“I’m sure I’ll audition again just to see,” he said.

But he doesn’t know if that will be to “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent” or “The Voice.”

If he makes a return to “Idol,” he’d like to make it to at least round three.

While he’s exited the show this year, 19-year-old Alanis Sophia, of Dade City, remains active in the competition.

Published March 31, 2021

Local singer next American Idol?

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Dade City teenager Alanis Sophia has come a long way from belting out tunes in local libraries and graduation ceremonies.

In fact, she’s headed to Hollywood as a contestant on ABC’s hit television show, “American Idol.”

Alanis Sophia wowed the distinguished group of ‘American Idol’ celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — during her singing performance. The Dade City native is a graduate of Pasco eSchool, the county’s virtual instruction program. She is now studying media communications at Full Sail University. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sophia moved with her family to Wesley Chapel and then to Dade City. (Courtesy of Gigi Stevens/Freemantle)

The 19-year-old college student and Pasco eSchool graduate’s first audition was aired on the Feb. 28 season premiere of the nationally televised music competition show.

Performing a rendition of “Anyone,” by Demi Lovato, Sophia wowed the distinguished group of celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — securing a golden ticket to advance to the next round of the popular competition series watched by millions.

Perry, one of the world’s best-selling pop singers, characterized Sophia’s performance this way:  “She’s the best we’ve seen today.”

Richie complimented “the purity” of Sophia’s voice and personality during the aired segment, adding the young singer has “huge potential.”

The teen vividly recalls how it felt to perform in front of the trio — who are among the most successful and recognizable personalities in the music entertainment industry today.

She described the once-in-a-lifetime experience during a recent phone interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“When I walked into that room, I enter saying, ‘Oh, my gosh, I can’t believe I’m actually here,’ because I didn’t expect it. I knew it was coming, but it doesn’t really take you until you’re in front of them, and then they’re like, ‘Hey, what’s your name? Sing for us,’ so it kind of still feels a little bit surreal that I even passed.

“Not that I don’t believe in myself, but just because of the fact that they’re just these big celebrities with so much success and they have a lot of influence in the industry, and as an artist who’s trying to make it, it’s kind of hard to believe.

“It still feels a little surreal. I still pinch myself,” she said.

The next step for Sophia is the show’s Hollywood Week, airing March 21.

Contestants must pass through three rounds of performances at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, something Sophia acknowledged is “a little hectic, a little crazy.”

The young artist initially received an email from a casting director for the show last summer, who invited her to audition. That actually was pre-recorded back in November.

The opportunity has been a “dream that came to life,” Sophia said. “Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be in the show.”

Dade City’s Alanis Sophia was featured in a Feb. 28 episode of ABC’s ‘American Idol.’ The 19-year-old’s rendition of ‘Anyone’ by Demi Lovato earned her a golden ticket to the next round in Hollywood, airing March 21.

No stranger to fame
It’s almost as if Sophia was destined to be an artist.

The area teen’s mother, Katherine, actually named her after Canadian-American alt-rock singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette.

Naturally, Sophia lists Morissette as one of her many influences, stylistically: “You can hear that kind of in my voice because I grew up listening to her, and lyrically, kind of the same.”

Sophia’s sound has likewise been shaped listening to classic rock acts like Journey’s Steve Perry and Queen’s Freddie Mercury.

“My voice has a lot influence from the ’90s, and the ’80s and the ’70s, but then musically, it’s more of like the modern sound of now,” she said.

And, she’s no stranger to the big stage and bright lights.

Her first major break came in 2013.

Then, at age 12, Sophia was a contestant — and finished runner-up — on Telemundo network’s “La Voz Kids” (The Voice Kids), a Spanish-language singing competition in which kids are chosen because of their vocal talent.

Fast-forward to 2017, where Sophia inked a record deal with Big Machine Label Group — believed to be the first Latinx singer to sign with a major country music label.

Though no longer with the label, Sophia regularly commuted from Florida to Nashville, working alongside several music professionals, including multi-Grammy Award winning record producer and songwriter Julian Raymond, who has collaborated with Cheap Trick, Glen Campbell, Hank Williams Jr., and Sugarland, among others.

Sophia sung background vocals and on stage for those bands including Cheap Trick, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has sold more than 20 million albums.

She also recorded more than 100 songs, in some form or another.

The myriad opportunities with the label has proved beneficial for her career.

“All of those songwriters and producers helped me figure out what type of songs I want to write and kind of guide me into who I actually want to become,” Sophia said. “They gave me the experience that I needed,” she said, noting she had the chance to work with musicians in the studio and to do some co-writing.

“I’d never co-written songs until I worked with them, so they gave me all of the experience that I needed, working in the studio and all that,” she said.

Sophia also has been featured in numerous commercials over the years, for the likes of Walt Disney and Sea World. She even served as an ambassador for a Visit Florida tourism campaign for which she recorded jingles that have aired all over the world.

Sophia has built up quite an online following over this time. Her Facebook page boasts 373,000 followers, while her Instagram page sits at over 87,000.

She acknowledges that being in the public eye for so long has given her a bit of an edge in the American Idol competition.

“I’ve had experience since I was like 11, so I kind of have an understanding how all of this might play out,” she said.

Small town girl
Sophia was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but moved with her family to Wesley Chapel around age 5, and then to Dade City a few years after that.

Dade City native Alanis Sophia is featured throughout this season of ABC’s ‘American Idol.’ The 19-year-old is no stranger to the big stage. In 2013, she finished runner-up on the Spanish-language version of ‘The Voice Kids.’ She also signed a country music record deal in 2017, becoming the first Latinx artist to do so. She also has appeared in commercials for Sea World, Walt Disney and Visit Florida.

Growing up in Pasco, it was always very comfortable because of the fact that it’s a small town and I love small towns. In Puerto Rico, we lived in a small town, so it kind of felt like home away from home,” Sophia said.

She still lives in her childhood home in the quaint East Pasco town with her parents and three siblings, and three dogs.

She leans heavily on family for advice and comfort — especially now as her fame and music career is poised to skyrocket.

“They’re my support system, who I fall back to whenever I’m upset about anything or wherever I’m feeling stressed because I have a lot going on.

“They’ve always been supportive, because they don’t care what I do. If I want to do singing, if I want to do acting, if I want to work at a 9-to-5 job, like they don’t care, just as long as I’m happy doing what I love to do, and something passionate, yet stable,” she said.

Sophia detailed sacrifices her parents, Carlos and Katherine, have made to help in her pursuit of a career in show business.

Her mother quit her job to accompany Sophia on a demanding travel schedule that’s taken her to Nashville, Los Angeles and Miami, among other places.

Despite a tight budget, her father has paid for dance classes and music instruments, and makes the effort to travel overnight to catch Sophia’s numerous performances or television interviews.

“Anything to make my dreams come true — they would do that,” Sophia said.

She also credits Pasco County Schools, and Pasco eSchool — the county’s virtual instructional program — for allowing her to showcase her talents and original songs on various livestreams and other events during her youth.

“The support system was actually crazy,” she said. “They had me perform in graduation ceremonies and sing some original stuff on like their websites and livestreams. I really enjoyed that, and they even still ask me if I want to do livestreams.”

Singer stays busy
Between working part-time and studying media communications at Full Sail University, the self-described homebody mainly spends the days fine-tuning her craft.

She aims to write at least one song every day, to keep her writing skills up to date.

She practices singing and dancing choreography in her bedroom, and records covers and other content to post to her social media pages. She also is learning to play guitar and piano.

The onset of the coronavirus pandemic has allowed Sophia to focus on her music and online branding, since other activities have been so limited.

She’s taken advantage of the time to record videos on YouTube, to join TikTok, to do more songwriting and to record covers.

“It kind of helped me grow as an artist,” she said.

Being featured on American Idol also has kicked her work ethic into high gear.

At the same time, in between her concentrated music regimen and schedule, she makes it a priority to “take a breath”— which can mean hanging out with family and friends, or cuddling with her pets.

Beyond aspiring to make it as far as she can on American Idol, she plans to continue to release her own music, which she hopes will connect with people to “change their lives or make them escape from any type of situation that they’re in, just for a couple of minutes.”

To learn more about Alanis, visit AlanisSophia.com.

Published March 10, 2021

Local teen moves on to next round on ‘American Idol’

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Zach D’Onofrio has received a Golden Ticket, and his next national appearance on American Idol will be during Hollywood Week.

The 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student impressed judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie with “The Way You Look Tonight,” a Frank Sinatra song.

When he appeared before the celebrity judges in New York, the first thing he did was give each of them a pair of socks from his collection.

Katy Perry immediately put the socks on her hands.

Zach D’Onofrio said he didn’t feel too rattled while singing for celebrity judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Luke Bryan. His performance earned him a Golden Ticket, taking him to the next round of the competition in Hollywood. (Courtesy of ABC)

Then, when Zach began singing, Perry came down from her chair and began dancing with him. Meanwhile, Richie and Bryan danced, too.

The Wesley Chapel teen said the judges appeared to be surprised when he started to sing.

“Can I hear you speak again?” Bryan asked. “Is this really your speaking voice, you swear?”

Zach responded: “I swear, this is my natural voice.”

Then Richie added: “You are unique.”

Then they asked him to sing for them again.

Richie then gave Zach a Golden Ticket, signaling that he’d made it to the next round.

Despite performing before celebrity judges, Zach wasn’t rattled.

“I wasn’t really too nervous,” he said, in an interview. “I tried to stay confident and believe I could do well in front of them,” he said, adding that it helped to have his mom in New York with him.

Zach’s American Idol experience began when he auditioned at Tampa Bay Idol at Florida Hospital Center Ice, an event hosted by ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend.

There, he received a Front of the Line Pass for the next audition in Orlando.

His mom, Darci, and his dad, Bryan, took the day off from work to go to Orlando, and his sister, Taylor, took the day off from classes at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, to be there, too.

“We got there at 7 a.m., or so,” Bryan said. “There were roughly 5,000 people auditioning that day. The majority of them had to wait in this huge line. But, we only had to wait probably about an hour, and Zach got to sing in front of some of the judges.”

Still, Bryan said, “it was a LONG day.

“That was in August. It was all outside at Disney Springs,” Bryan said.

“In the sun,” Darci added.

“It was brutal,” Bryan said.

Zach finished his first audition, and then was held back for a second one later in the day before he found out he had made the cut to sing before the celebrity judges.

At that point, he had a choice to sing in various cities, Darci said.

Zach D’Onofrio has a collection of 40 pairs to 50 pairs of colorful socks. He gave each of the judges a pair, and Katy Perry promptly put them on her hands, like gloves.

Zach announced: “We’ve got to go to New York, Mom. I’m a Frank Sinatra guy. I’m a crooner.”

Darci and Bryan had to decide which of them would accompany Zach because they had a show scheduled at their Dreamhouse Theatre, which they operate in Lutz.

“I pulled the Mom card —  ‘Hey, I birthed him,’” Darci said. Plus, she added, “I’ve never been to New York.’”

Zach hadn’t been there, either, so the two of them made the most of it.

They arrived on a Sunday and stayed for three days, in a hotel within walking distance of Times Square. They visited The Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial.

The day they went to the 9/11 Memorial was the morning after the shootings in Las Vegas, Darci said.

“It was very, very touching to be there that day,” she said.

Zach’s audition day was on a Tuesday. The day began at 6 a.m., with Zach auditioning around 1 p.m.

“By the time we were done with filming, we weren’t out of there until 10 o’clock that night. It was pretty intense,” Darci said.

Bryan and Darci knew that Zach could sing, but didn’t realize how well he could sing until Zach came across a Frank Sinatra album, while shopping for vinyl with Bryan.

“When he heard Frank Sinatra, he was like: ‘I think I kind of sing like him’,” Bryan said.

Zach, who has performed in various Dreamhouse Theatre productions, said initially he ran the lights and the sound for shows.

“I would always see the actors on the stage perform, and I always wanted to go on the stage and perform myself, but I was always too nervous to do it because I wasn’t sure what other people would say about my voice,” he said.

After singing Sinatra-style for his parents, he decided to sing for cast members of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the theater.

“They really liked my voice, and they thought I should keep pursuing this and keep putting myself out there,” Zach said.

Although he’s interested in becoming a doctor, Zach is now considering the possibility of a singing career.

Like most things in life, time will tell.

Published March 14, 2018

Singing hopefuls flock to Tampa Bay Idol

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When 15-year-old Julia Toussaint learned American Idol auditions were coming to Wesley Chapel, she couldn’t pass up the chance at stardom.

“I told my voice teacher, ‘We have to do it,’” said Toussaint, a sophomore at Tarpon Springs High School.

Christine LaButay (bottom, left), of Wesley Chapel, waits for her daughter, (second from left) Joelle LaButay,17, to finalize registration for a chance to let the judges hear her sing acapella during the 45-second audition for Tampa Bay Idol, a semifinal for the show, American Idol. Christine selected a jazz piece by Amanda Seyfried, called ‘Mean Ol’ Man.’ (Fred Bellet)

Toussaint, who began singing as a 5-year-old, was one of 400 preregistered contestants selected for “Tampa Bay Idol” auditions, held Aug.12 at Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Like others, Toussaint was looking to strike fame via the hit television show that has launched the singing careers of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and countless others.

“I’m hoping to pursue (singing),” Toussaint said. “I mean, I’ve been doing it my whole life — a lot of community theater, choir.”

The daylong event was hosted by ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend.

Auditions began at 7:45 a.m., and continued late into the afternoon.

Ages and backgrounds of contestants varied. Singing styles did, too, ranging from pop and country, to soul and R&B.

While tryouts were closed to the general public and the media, ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend were on hand for constant event updates.

Contestants each had 45 seconds to belt out an acapella tune, in front of a panel of celebrity judges — a mix of television and radio personalities, and former Idol contestants.

Following each performance, hopefuls were critiqued on voice quality, stage presence, star power and so on.

Signage brightens the Aug. 12 Tampa Bay Idol auditions held at Florida Hospital Center Ice, in Wesley Chapel. Some 400 hopefuls tried to capture the judges’ attention during a 45-second audition.

The fortunate ones received a pass to go to the head of the line at the upcoming regional American Idols auditions in Orlando on Aug. 17. The “Front of the Line” ticket guarantees a chance to be seen by show producers without waiting in the long lines; no word has yet been given on how many contestants received passes.

“The requirements are pretty high and pretty stiff to get through,” said Dennis Elsbury, director of multimedia marketing for ABC Action News.

Throughout the day, Idol hopefuls expressed feelings of excitement, anxiousness and nervousness, as they patiently waited for their shot, alongside the accompaniment of family and friends.

A few spent downtime rehearsing vocals and reviewing lyrics.

Others, like Zephyrhills resident Heather Bergthold, remained discreet, trying to manage tensions.

“I’m more excited than anything; I’m trying to cover up the nervousness,” said Bergthold, as she waited in line.

With auditions in nearby Wesley Chapel, Bergthold couldn’t resist the chance to show off her singing talents, especially with the support from her friends.

Gabriel ‘Mac’ Artis, 18, of Tampa, accompanied his friend, Trinity Lasing, 17, also of Tampa. Artis dressed warm because he expected it to be cold at the Florida Hospital Center Ice venue and he wanted to be prepared. Lasing sang, ‘Almost is Never Enough,’ by Ariana Grande.

“It’s a good thing they came back with it,” she said, “because I promised a ton of people I’d do it.”

She added: “Everybody kept telling me all these different seasons, ‘You need to try out,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, no.’ But, then I was like, ‘If they come back, then I’ll try out.’”

The Idol audition wasn’t a first for St. Petersburg’s Sierra Davis, however.

The 18-year-old tried out in past seasons, including the Tampa Convention Center in 2015. She also performed at an open Idol audition in Gainesville.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting for this (opportunity) for so long, so I’m hoping this will be my shot,” Davis said prior to her tryout.

Despite missing the cut twice before, Davis remained upbeat, and confident in her abilities.

“I have plenty of (singing) experience,” she said, assuredly. “I graduated (high school) musical theater. I was a dancer in middle school, and a singer all my life; I’ve been in a couple of productions.”

Elsewhere, Valrico’s Dennis Tomy was just happy to participate, realistic about the odds of winning.

Before his audition, the 17-year-old said he “felt blessed” to even be selected for the competition.

“I don’t think I’m the best singer,” he said, “but I’m going to try my best.”

After 15 years on the Fox network, and a one-year hiatus, American Idol is returning to television on ABC in Spring 2018.

Ryan Seacrest will return as host. Katy Perry is confirmed as one of the Idol judges. Others in the mix to join Perry include Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Charlie Puth.

Should a Tampa Bay area contestant reach the national stage, the network could air the audition footage from the Aug. 12 event.

“If somebody makes it far enough, they’ll reach back into our archives,” said Elsbury, who helped coordinate Tampa Bay Idol. “I don’t want to overplay it because they’re going through hundreds and hundreds of people, and they’re doing this across the country.”

Besides showcasing local talent, Tampa Bay Idol offered an opportunity to promote Wesley Chapel.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore called the event “a great opportunity for the county.”

“For people outside of the area, we get to highlight our county, which is nice,” said Moore, who spent the morning greeting contestants and their families.

Meanwhile, Florida Hospital Center Ice, which opened its 150,500-square-foot ice rink and sports complex in January, proved to be a worthy host site.

“When we came and saw the layout of the building and how it works, it’s a really unique venue and really good for accommodating a lot of people,” Elsbury said. “A lot of events could be here.”

Published August 16, 2017

Searching for a superstar in Tampa Bay

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American Idol is a cultural phenomenon.

The reality television show is known for launching major singing careers for Idol winners, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

And, even reaching the top 10 can be life-changing.

Jennifer Hudson, for instance, finished seventh in 2004, but went on to win an Oscar for the movie musical, “Dream Girls,” and remains a superstar.

So, future singing sensations of Tampa Bay — get ready to catch lightning in a bottle.

After 15 years on the Fox network, and a one-year hiatus, American Idol is returning to television on ABC in 2018.

Ryan Seacrest will return as host. Katy Perry is confirmed as one of the Idol judges.

Locally, open auditions for American Idol are scheduled for Aug. 12 at Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend will host the event.

Winners of the “Tampa Bay Idol” contest will receive a “Front of the Line” ticket that guarantees them a chance to be seen and heard by American Idol producers, during a bus tour stop in Orlando on Aug. 17.

“We’re excited about local talent being able to showcase right here at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “We may have the next superstar come from Pasco County…the next Carrie Underwood. That’d be awesome.”

Moore, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Gordie Zimmermann, managing partner at Florida Hospital Center Ice, made the announcement at a press conference on July 24.

ABC officials predict as many as 1,000 people could line up for a chance at stardom. Only the first 400 who register online at ABCActionnews.com/Idol will be guaranteed an audition. If there’s time, more auditions may be allowed.

Everyone is urged to preregister for a smoother, faster processing time on the day of the open auditions.

Online registration is set to begin on Aug. 5.

A local panel of celebrity judges will be announced at a later date.

Starting time was estimated to be mid-morning, but had not been determined prior to The Laker/Lutz News’ deadline for publication.

The event offers an opportunity to showcase Florida Hospital Center Ice, which opened the 150,500 square-foot ice rink and sports complex in January.

Auditions will take place in at least two rooms at the facility.

“We’re excited to host,” said Gordie Zimmermann, managing partner with Florida Hospital Center Ice. “We’re really looking forward to the date.”

Zimmermann said there also would be areas for overflow seating, while people wait their turn to sing, and a snack bar.

Pasco’s selection as a site for open auditions came together quickly.

Starkey got a heads-up phone call from ABC Action News officials a few days before the press conference. After a tour of Florida Hospital Center Ice, the matter was settled.

“It’s been a very fun project to work on,” said Starkey. “Tampa Bay Idol is a great way to showcase the talents some of our residents have.”

Starkey said she notified Tampa Premium Outlets and The Shops at Wiregrass, which is an event sponsor, about the coming auditions, urging them “to staff up and get ready.”

Published August 2, 2017

Stage is set for another music fest next year

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Doreen Armillei and her husband, Ron, were grabbing a bite to eat as they waited for things to get started at the Land O’ Lakes Spring Music Festival & Expo, presented by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The Land O’ Lakes couple came out to the concert for a simple reason.

“I wanted to see Taylor Hicks,” Doreen said.

“I like his personality very much,” Doreen added, noting she became a fan while watching Hicks compete and ultimately win Season 5 of American Idol.

Concert-goers seemed to be enjoying themselves at the concert featuring Taylor Hicks, winner of Season 5 of American Idol. The concert was performed at the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property at 21735 YMCA Camp Road, in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
Concert-goers seemed to be enjoying themselves at the concert featuring Taylor Hicks, winner of Season 5 of American Idol. The concert was performed at the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property at 21735 YMCA Camp Road, in Land O’ Lakes.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Karen Twilla, another Land O’ Lakes resident, came to the concert with her husband, daughter and a couple of friends. She, too, appreciates Hicks.

“I’ve seen him in Tampa. I’ve seen him in New York City, when he was in ‘Grease.’ We’ve seen him in Las Vegas and here,” she said, noting she also watched him on American Idol.

She enjoys Hicks’ music, but is even more impressed by his character.

“He’s just a fine gentleman. He just loves his music. I love his heart,” Twilla said.

They weren’t the only ones attracted to the March 11 concert. People were waiting in line before the gates opened at 6 p.m.

And, when they got in, there was plenty of room to spread out blankets and set up lawn chairs on the spacious grounds at the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property at 21735 YMCA Camp Road.

While some settled onto blankets, or claimed seats in the reserved section, others stationed themselves on boats — on Bell Lake, which borders the property — to take advantage of the spring concert.

The aroma of barbecue filled the air, and there were vendors selling Cajun food, funnel cakes, fried Oreos and other foods.

The evening concert enjoyed “chamber of commerce weather,” in the words of Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Although the March 11 concert was sold out, attendance was lighter than expected. Apparently those purchasing tickets gave them to people who decided not to use them, Bassinger said.

It was easy to see that biggest fan of Taylor Hicks in this row of audience members. Karen Twilla, center, of Land O’ Lakes, is flanked by Fred Twilla, her husband, left, and Kelli Actis, right, of Tampa, as they wait for the show to start at the Land O’ Lakes Spring Music Festival & Expo, presented by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Karen Twilla said she has seen Hicks perform in Las Vegas, in the Broadway production of Grease, and in Tampa. She was looking forward to adding Land O’ Lakes to that list.
It was easy to see that biggest fan of Taylor Hicks in this row of audience members. Karen Twilla, center, of Land O’ Lakes, is flanked by Fred Twilla, her husband, left, and Kelli Actis, right, of Tampa, as they wait for the show to start. Karen Twilla said she has seen Hicks perform in Las Vegas, in the Broadway production of Grease, and in Tampa. She was looking forward to adding Land O’ Lakes to that list.

But, the chamber president was pleased by the event’s organization, led by Suzanne Beauchaine and David Gainer.

“It’s a lot of pieces to put together,” Bassinger said.

“We had an excellent turnout of volunteers,” she added. And, generous sponsors made the event a success, despite the empty seats, she noted.

Bassinger said she also heard positive feedback from people who attended the concert, who told her that it’s the kind of event that Land O’ Lakes has been needing.

She believes the event will grow every year, and that it will become a signature event for Land O’ Lakes.

“That’s our plan, to bring in different entertainment each year,” Bassinger said.

She also offered some kind words about Hicks.

Solar Exposure guitarist Kevin Calhoun plays a solo during the opening act’s performance at the music festival.
Solar Exposure guitarist Kevin Calhoun plays a solo during the opening act’s performance at the music festival.

“He is such an awesome, kind person. You could not ask for someone to be a nicer person. He’s all about his fans,” she said. “He’s handsome, on top of that,” Bassinger said.

On March 12, the event featured local musicians, food vendors, activities for the kids and a business expo, with scores of local businesses offering information about their goods and services.

Besides adding music this year, the event also involved a new location for the business expo, which previously was at the Land O’Lakes Recreation Complex.

Event co-chairs Beauchaine and Gainer said they will be analyzing what worked and what didn’t.

“We’re using this as a learning experience,” Beauchaine said. “We want this to be an annual event. We’re going to take what we learn from it, and make it bigger and better.”

Gainer added: “Honestly, we were hoping we just got people to come out the first year and see what this was about. It takes a little time to build momentum.”

Published March 16, 2016

Taylor Hicks to perform in Land O’ Lakes

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Before he became nationally known, Taylor Hicks spent years in relative obscurity, sharing his music at any venue where he could get a booking.

“I would play everything from small venues to clubs to honky-tonks, to roadhouses to juke joints — you name it, I was playing it,” Hicks said.

Over the years, he played concerts and club dates with widely known musicians, but he didn’t get his big break until he won Season 5 of American Idol.

Taylor Hicks said he loves performing, and it’s something he expects he will always continue to do. He will be performing on March 11 in Land O’ Lakes at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Music Festival & Expo. (Photos courtesy of Taylor Hicks)
Taylor Hicks said he loves performing, and it’s something he expects he will always continue to do. He will be performing on March 11 in Land O’ Lakes at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Music Festival & Expo.
(Photos courtesy of Taylor Hicks)

Hicks said he hadn’t really been planning to audition for the popular television show, now celebrating its farewell season.

He had gone to a wedding and was stranded by Hurricane Katrina, and he wound up getting a free ticket to fly anywhere in the country, he explained.

“So, I flew to Vegas on a whim,” he said. That just happened to be where American Idol was holding auditions, so Hicks decided to get in line.

That was the beginning of Hicks’ rise to national fame.

He went on to become America’s favorite.

“The season that I was on (American Idol) was their biggest season. With all of that attention, it was pretty amazing,” Hicks said.

After winning the title, doors opened for him, and he remains grateful.

“The Idol platform has set me up to be able to do a lot of different things,” he said.

Less than three weeks after winning Idol, his debut single, “Do I Make You Proud,” entered at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, Pop 100, and Single Sales Charts.

He penned “Heart Full of Soul,” an autobiography published by Random House, and starred in the role of Teen Angel in the Broadway musical “Grease.”

Now, he also has a hand in barbecue, as co-owner of a barbecue restaurant in Birmingham.

“I keep busy,” Hicks said.

He also continues to tour, with upcoming concerts planned in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

His Florida appearance will be at the Land O’ Lakes Spring Music Festival on March 11.

He’s looking forward to the concert, noting he enjoys a nice following from his Florida fans, who tend to travel.

Taylor Hicks’ interest in music dates back to his teenage years, when he taught himself to play the harmonica. He later learned how to play acoustic guitar and piano.
Taylor Hicks’ interest in music dates back to his teenage years, when he taught himself to play the harmonica. He later learned how to play acoustic guitar and piano.

“I love performing,” Hicks said.  “I think that’s something I’ll always do. Entertaining and making people feel music, that’s something that I just really love doing.”

Hicks is the featured performer in a new event the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is launching, aimed at giving people an annual music festival they can enjoy, while area businesses showcase their goods and services.

The festival is a new take on the chamber’s annual business expo that has been held for two decades at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

This festival runs for two days, March 11 and March 12, with Hicks performing on the opening night, following Solar Exposure, the opening act. The second day of the festival features a business expo and other musical acts.

Tickets for Hicks’ concert are still available, said David Gainer, co-chairman of the event. They cost $40 for reserved seating, and $25 for lawn seating.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase, and no coolers will be allowed.

Gainer also noted that all of the slots for the business vendors for the expo on March 12 have been sold.

Hicks said he is looking forward to the Land O’ Lakes event, and he hopes he’ll see some of his loyal fans.

He said his interest in music dates back to his teenage years, when he taught himself how to play the harmonica.

At 16, he taught himself acoustic guitar and then moved on to piano later on, and then began writing songs, he said.

“I think it was a natural progression,” Hicks said.

His early experience helped prepare him for life after winning American Idol, he said.

“I think a lot of the touring as a kid kind of help me set my own experience up,” he said.

“When it happened, the transition from obscurity to notoriety was kind of an easy transition because, I’d been doing it (touring) a lot, since I was a kid,” he said.

“Experience always helps,” he added.

“I think you just kind of get in a groove with notoriety. You start understanding your place in society as a public figure. And then, you just have to reinvent yourself and stay out there, and work as much as you can,” he said.

As American Idol concludes its television run this year, Hicks said the show is exiting on a high note.

“I think it’s bittersweet, but I think the way that Idol is ending its run is a pretty classy way to do it,” Hicks said. “I think 15 years of television is quite respectable.”

Spring Music Festival & Expo
Where: Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property, 21735 YMCA Camp Road, in Land O’ Lakes.
When: March 11, gates open at 6 p.m.: Taylor Hicks is the featured act, following a performance by Solar Exposure. There will be food trucks, beer and wine. Reserved seating, $40; open lawn seating, $25.
And, on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Business expo featuring more than 100 local businesses, numerous musical acts and fun family activities. Admission to the expo is free.
For concert tickets or more information, call (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published March 2, 2016

Festival seeks to become signature event

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The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is launching a new event aimed at giving people an annual music festival they can enjoy, while area businesses showcase their goods and services.

The festival is a new take on the chamber’s annual business expo that has been held for two decades at the Land O’ Lakes Parks and Recreation Complex.

The event, slated for March 11 and March 12, will be at the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property, at 21735 Camp YMCA Road, on Bell Lake, east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. 41) in Land O’ Lakes.

Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks will be the headliner on March 11 to kick off the first night of the new Spring Music Festival & Expo in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce)

Organizers have lined up Taylor Hicks, winner of season five of American Idol, to be the headliner on March 11, the first night of the Spring Music Festival & Expo.

Hicks’ appearance is deliberately timed to coincide with The Farewell Season of American Idol.

Hicks will perform after Solar Exposure, the opening act. The evening also will feature food trucks and beer/wine sales. No coolers or pets will be allowed.

The second day will spotlight businesses and family fun.

“This is super exciting. I can’t believe the energy and enthusiasm that’s already been generated,” said Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“The tickets have been selling (for the concert),” she said, noting that some Taylor Hicks fans will be traveling from out of state to attend the concert.

The second day of the event will combine music, a business showcase and fun activities for kids, said David Gainer, co-chair of the event.

“It’s really going to be more of a festive, community type day,” Gainer said. “We’ll have a kids’ zone. We’re going to have a whole bunch of games and bounce houses and those kinds of things,” Gainer said.

The musical lineup for March 12 includes local bands, including Ashley Smith & Josh Higgins, Bad Rabbit, Stonegrey and Bobby Summers.

The second day also gives businesses a chance to shine and the community a better chance to see what they have to offer, Bassinger said.

It also gives area residents “the opportunity to shop local,” she said.

Bassinger credits Gainer and event co-chair Suzanne Beauchaine, account manager of The Laker/Lutz News, for coming up with the new approach to the chamber’s annual business expo.

Bassinger is excited about the event’s new location.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property back there,” she said.

The new venue also offers organizers more options, Gainer said.

“If we were going to do a festival-type atmosphere and be able to provide certain beverages and foods, we had to have it on a non-county owned property,” Gainer said.

Tim Hennigan, president of the F.O.P. Pasco Lodge 29, said his organization is pleased to be involved in the effort.

“We’re very much a part of this community,” Hennigan said.

The event also gives his organization a chance to raise its profile.

“We want people to know who we are. We’ve always been in the shadows,” Hennigan said.

In addition to benefiting the chamber, the event will help to raise money to pay for a permanent memorial for Pasco County’s fallen law enforcement officers, he said.

Tickets for the March 11 concert are now on sale. The cost is $25 for open lawn seating, and $40 for preferred seating.

Tickets can be purchased online at CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published January 13, 2016