The Swift Idol Live Concert, presented by Randy Thompson Insurance and Financial Services, is still set to happen Friday at 7 P.M., but will be live video only on SVI for the viewing audience.
Host of the event, Duke Dance, says with so many things being canceled lately due to the COVID-19 pandemic the crew really didn’t want to add this to the list.
“But we’re fortunate here at SVI Media to be able to provide the live video broadcast,” Dance said. “We thought you know our idols have put in so much work for this, the community could really use something.”
He also says the reason they do this event is for two reasons. The first is to celebrate all the past Swift Idol winners. They will come together, not to compete, but to perform. Melissa Dickey (2016), Case Tippetts (2017), EJ Pauni (2018), and Josh Jardine (2019) will all be there.
“Those four people that have won are all just incredible, talented vocalists and singers, ” Dance said. “They’re going to be on the stage performing and they’re going to have solos, they’ll have duets, and it’s a fun, fun show.”
He points out that this isn’t a recital-type feel. This is a concert and it’s upbeat. He says the second reason for the event is the competition aspect. It will feature three singers who auditioned previously and just barely did not get in. They will perform in front of past winners, who act as judges, for an opportunity to compete in Swift Idol 2020 in August.
Dance says this mini competition will also include an audience participation aspect. They will get to vote for these performers vying for a shot to get in. Those competing will be Kamryn Johnson (Fairview), Katie Mckeown (Thayne), and Katelyn Petersen (Cokeville).
2019 winner Josh Jardine says you’re not doing anything else so you might as well watch.
“I think it’s going to be a great show,” Jardine said. “We’ve got great talent with us. I’ve gotten to preview pretty much the whole show and I’m really excited about it.”
Dance also says there will be a couple of exciting announcements at the event. Last year Swift Idol had a celebrity guest judge in Alex Boye and there will be another one this year which they will announce at the concert.
In 2019 the winner received $6,000. They will also announce the grand prize for Swift Idol 2020 at the concert as well.
Dance says the reason they really want to put on this event despite the current health regulations is they really wanted to do something for the community.
“That’s what SVI Media is all about,” Dance said. “We care so much about providing joy. We want to do things that uplift and help people feel better and I really do think the concert is going to do that.”
He also says if you can’t watch it live Friday, it will be archived to be viewed later.
