I was one of the judges at the semi-finals round of the Voice of Pride competition which took place last night at the Round-Up. Twenty-four performances — 19 soloists and five duets — competed to enter the final round at the Rose Room next month. Ten soloists and three duets advanced after three hours of singing. And with seven judges, a policy of dropping the top and bottom scores to equalize the voting and a variety of tastes, you never know if the ones you liked most will advance. But for the most part, my favorites did. (I would only quibble with one or two taking more deserving performers’ space.)
Once again, Juliana Jeffrey did stunning work — she’s been in the top 3 for the past three years. There were other familiar faces (and voices) as well: Mel Arizpe, Robert Olivas and Christine Pradia — all of whom were in the top five in recent years — made it through. Greg Castillo, last year’s second runner-up, was part of the duet Present for the Future … with Juliana Jeffrey, pictured. Their group also advanced.
There were some new names as well, including Chae Studebaker (a sweet country balladeer voice), a woman named only Red (soulful R&B sound) and Joel Canavales (who started the show off right). This is the first year duets and groups are eligible, and two others to advance are called Classic Resurrection and Mi Diva Loca.
Here’s the complete list of finalists, in alphabetical order: Mel Arizpe; Joel Canales; Laura Carrizales; Melissa Hubenak; Juliana Jeffrey; Angie Landers; Robert Olivas; Christine Pradia; Red; Chae Studebaker, plus the duos Classic Resurrection, Mi Diva Loca and Present for the Future.
Finals will be Aug. 15 at the Rose Room.
15 Comments
I competed. When we were doing sound checks, I was telling everyone that of all the contests I have done, the talent was unbeliebable. If I were judging, it would have been incredibly difficult for me.. Congrats to all those making it to finals! And for all the semi-finalists that didn’t make it, I consider it a privilege to appear on the same stage as all of you!
you are obviously as bad of a journalist as you are a judge.
I am a little confused. Is this an article about the semifinals or an article about Julianna Jeffrey? This entire article seems pretencious and biased, and not at all a reflection of the rules of journalism. As far as some singers taking the spot of more deserving contestants, that I will agree with you on 100%.
TO EXPOUND ON THE PREVIOUS COMMENT LEFT BY “DISGRUNTLED”…THERE WAS NOTHING FAIR OR BALANCED ABOUT YOUR ARTICLE/BLOG, IT WAS OBVIOUSLY SLANTED TOWARDS YOUR “FAVORITES”, SO I AM GUESSING THAT YOU JUDGED PRECISELY THE SAME WAY. DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL STRAIGHT COMPETITORS THAT MADE IT THROUGH TO THE FINALS, WHO DO NOT HAVE TIES TO THIS COMMUNITY AT ALL, WHO ARE SIMPLY IN THIS COMPETITION FOR THE MONEY AND THE TRIP, WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS COMPETITION MEANS AND DOESN’T CARE, NOR WILL THEY CARE IF THEY WIN THE TRIP TO REPRESENT THIS COMMUNITY?
I AM NOT “DISGRUNTLED”, BUT THERE WERE FAR MORE DESERVING VOCALISTS, THAT WERE PASSED OVER FOR LESS TALENTED AND STRAIGHT INDIVIDUALS, WHO ARE IN THIS COMPETITION FOR THE WRONG REASONS. AND FOR THE OTHER COMPETITORS TO BE MENTIONED IN YOUR ARTICLE/BLOG AS AN AFTER THOUGHT IS INSULTING …..SO THEREFORE YOU HAVE MADE IT QUITE APPARENT THAT YOUR JOURNALISM IS JUST AS SLANTED AS YOUR JUDGING. YOU SHOULD REALLY THINK TWICE ABOUT YOUR “FAIRNESS” AND “IMPARTIALITY” THE NEXT TIME YOU “JUDGE” A COMPETITION…YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE NONE.
I know these comments aren’t necessarily aimed at me but I was a straight competitor last night but didn’t make it. I, personally, have had ties with the community since I was 14 when I modeled (as a volunteer, not paid) for an HIV benefit in 1994. Ever since then, I fell in love with the community, even though I am straight. Since that time, I have been in shows with several gay community members and drag queens even though I might not be a common face, and have frequented the area since I was of age in 1998. I was never in this for the money or for the prizes. I love competing and getting to meet new friends through the process. Which I have done and Im so grateful for the new friends. This contest, from a competitor’s view, is a great contest and I don’t think this article should detract from that.
I know two of the straight competitors personally. One of them has supported the community for years now, with two of her best friends and fellow competitors being a lesbian couple. The other, was introduced the community early with a childhood friend, with me in musicals and then later had a gay roommate who she would frequently come and support the community. Just because we’re straight doesn’t mean we do not support.
Now having said that, I don’t necessarily agree with the view point of the article either because it didn’t talk about all of the finalists and REALLY featured others but it’s his article. I know it sounds skewed but I have all the faith in the contest that they would provide open-minded, unpartial judges. Just like the Voice of Pride contest has been. Open minded. Straight, Gay or Bi-Sexual, by getting upset about straight people entering, it’s close minded and goes against the values that Pride was founded on.
AMEN AMY!!!!
Practice what you preach, it is very sad that the one thing the gay community fights so hard for is the one thing that is given out so sparingly and that is equality. Equality is supposed to be all inclusive, being straight in a predominantly GLBT competition should be embraced with the same vigor as a GLBT in a predominantly straight competition. Voice of Pride should be about singing and enjoying a sense of all inclusive community. It should breed friendship not caddy comments that harbor discrimination. Amazed; for you to say there are “SEVERAL STRAIGHT COMPETITORS THAT MADE IT THROUGH TO THE FINALS, WHO DO NOT HAVE TIES TO THIS COMMUNITY AT ALL, WHO ARE SIMPLY IN THIS COMPETITION FOR THE MONEY AND THE TRIP, WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS COMPETITION MEANS AND DOESN’T CARE, NOR WILL THEY CARE IF THEY WIN THE TRIP TO REPRESENT THIS COMMUNITY?” Please name one! You have no idea how many straight finalists have grown from this competition, made lasting friendships, and fought just to be heard for awareness, acceptance, and a voice. I can’t speak for all the finalists but this straight girl is in it for the relationships, bonds and lifetime memories. See you all at FINALS!!!!!
JUST A LITTLE INFO- scores will be tabulated and the high and low scores from each judge will be dropped as in Olympic style scoring. This prevents any one judge from skewing the scores or showing any favoritism. The middle 5 scores will count toward your final score. This is how it’s done folks!
I don’t care what you are. I just want to know where is the group photo that was taken at the end of the night showing all the finalist!?!?!?!?! Where did you get this photo of Juliana and Greg? It sure wasn’t from last night.
ok, after careful reconsideration of my previous comment, i will rescind my comment regarding the straight people, it was not carefully thought out and it was incorrect….and it has seemed to distract from the point i was actually trying to make. there were three group finalists last night and 10 solo finalists, yet only one group is expounded upon, and the rest of the finalists did not get their fifteen minutes in this article/blog. if you are going to fairly and unbiasly judge a competition and then write about it, then you need to give equal time to all finalists. the group that is discussed is fabulous, and i have nothing against them nor any other contestant, however, where are the others? once again, i apologize if i offended you in any manner, not my intention. i was merely making a comment about the bias shown in the article/blog and i made an assumption i should not have made. i especially apologize to juliana jeffery, because my comments were not directed towards her, just the bias shown towards her….
I am happy for ALL of my friends who advanced to Voice of Pride Finals for 2010, congratulations to all the contestants for being so talented, and thank you to all the “straight” contestants, (like myself), for taking part in the Voice of Pride. I know that Angie Landers, who is also a returning finalist, but was not mentioned, not only produced a stellar and breathtaking performance but has also donated her time (even though wheelchair bound) to the VoP Christmas Concert Fundraiser. I myself have carried more than one life-long friendship away from my years of involvement with the Voice of Pride Competitions, and apreciate all of the efforts of the Dallas Tavern Guild, Michael Doughman and David Barryman. Kelly and Myself are also returning finalists and are thrilled to be competing with all of the great people involved.
However, the picture for the Article for “Voice of Pride Finalists…” includes non-related premeditated photo of only two of the thirteen people who advanced, rather than a group photo, so I can see why it may appear as if this article was geared in a preferrential manner, however there is no reason for accusations or hostility even if the recriminations or defences are justifiable. Lets just all have a good time and focus on the future rather than the past.
I woke up today disapointed in myself because even though I mentioned that it was understandable how some people might have been up in arms about the fact that the “Voice of Pride Finalists Selected At Roundup,” article only featured a photo of Julianna & Greg, I failed congratulate them both as they deserved. So, Julianna and Greg, I am happy for your success and thought that it should not go without mentioning 🙂 I hope you don’t allow all of these unecessary scruples to take away from your moment in the spotlight. Shine bright! Can’t wait to see everyone at the finals. God Bless.
I just wanted to thank everyone for there love and support. I can also see both sides and respect everyones opinion; i just want to focus on what V.O.P. is really about. Beckah thank you for your kind words, Amy you rock, and I want everyone to know how hard each of the finalists have worked to get this far. To all those who did not make the finals, I just want to say thank you for being so wonderful, and for keeping me on my toes, you all make me want to work harder and continue to grow. I could not believe the level of talent this year and I am so very proud to be a part of V.O.P. 2010. Let’s make this a year to remember…
I am not friends with any of the contestants, and have never really interacted with them outside the competition. I don’t know — or care — about their sexual orientations (except insofar as I have learned it from meeting them), and it certainly played no role in whether I gave them good points for their performances. (Anyway, straight women advancing when I am a gay man? How is that bias? It’s not like we flirted.) Indeed, of the 19 soloists, nine were men and 10 women… and seven women advanced. So, it’s not as if there was a bias against anything but good singing and presentation. I also had no idea WHO was competing until I sat at the judges’ table. I don’t make up my mind ahead of time. But talent is as talent does, and some great talent advanced justifiably so. Some good talent didn’t. Ah, well. I wasn’t the only judge, just one of seven votes.
As for being “unbiased,” I have no idea what any of you mean. I am reporting on an event after it happened, just as I do when I see theater. I’m a critic, not covering city council, and I report what I saw. That said, I think it’s hilarious that you think it’s all about Juliana. Everyone who advanced was mentioned by name at least once, many twice; Juliana was in two groups, advanced twice, and has come in second or third for several seasons. Obviously, those who follow the competition can be expect to know who she is. The picture of her with Greg is from last year, when they came in second and third; no group picture was made available to me. (The shot was taken by someone who works for the Tavern Guild around 1 a.m.; I went home, slept, returned to work, wrote the post and submitted it the next morning — about 11 hours later. The photo was not handy to come by in that period.)
Interestingly, none of those complaining identified which vocalists were far more deserving. I don’t know of ANY who didn’t advance that were FAR more deserving than the ones that did — many of my own scores were tightly bunched. A few were far behind.
But this is why there is a competition with lots of different judges and cheering by the audience: some people like country, some like rock, some blues. There’s no right or wrong. You may prefer someone else. Give your own award. But many, many deserving and talented people have gotten exposure as a result of this competition and I wish all of them the best.
Dang ya’ll—Can’t we all just sing a song? Well I just want to say that I happen to be a straight person, I may not enter the competition,but I have been a supporter as long as I’ve known about it.It does seem however, that certain people only come out for this competition but it’s about their vocal abilities…at least it’s supposed to be…I mean it’s called Voice of Pride…and as long as they’re proud of their voice that’s all that should be important…like I said I’ve never competed,but my best friends are all either gay,or bisexual and EVERY ONE of them was in this competition from the start.Now it’s been whittled down to 10 and 3 groups—I’m still good friends with all who are left and I wish them all luck!!! I may not be big in the community,but I am a great supporter of it as long as I’ve been involved with my group of friends.Good luck gang!!!
The talent for semi-finals this year was amazing! I’m sure all of the judges had a difficult time scoring, because everyone was so, so talented! In these instances, some win and some lose. That’s why it’s a competition… Oh, and Arnold Wayne Jones still didn’t write about me, even though I hounded him all night long about it… LOL.. He’s still a cutie though… XOXO