Country Idol Karaoke 2012 – Albany Area Talent Search

The 2012 Country Idol Karaoke Show is now headed into the final stretch. The third month of "auditioning" was another great spotlight of talent competing to claim the $5,000 grand prize on June 21.

Judges included WGNA's Scott Blaine, Todd Hanhurst of the Refrigerators, and Casey Danton from WGNA's Sean and Richie Show.  Each singer can grab up to 10 points for appearance, 15 points for stage presence, and 25 points for vocals per judge, for the best possible score of 150. As usual it was another fun evening of great, good and mediocre talent, with only two cuts the entire night.

The top 5 of the March showcase included some very talented singers! Returning contestant Nikki Hathaway impressed the judges with a sassy rendition of Jo Dee Messina's "My Give A Damns Busted". Another familiar voice to the Vapor stage, Bethany Morse landed in the finals again with a flawless rendition of 'Long Time Gone' from the Dixie Chicks. Bill Hanger slid to the top 5 with a near-perfect rendition of a country classic by Waylon Jennings, "Luckenbach, Texas". Krissy Fauler packed the dance floor with her infectious energy on the Dixie Chicks' "Some Days You Gotta Dance".  Donna Beaudion also advanced to the finals with her soaring vocals on the always expected female karaoke track,  "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride.

The last two rounds of Country Idol will take place on Thursday, April 26 and May 24. Then, the finals will take place on Thursday, June 21 at Vapor in Saratoga Casino and Raceway.  If you would like to pre-register to be a contestant, click here.

Check out a review of February's finalists.

Watch 2011's Country Idol on LOOKTV.

Check out last year's winner.

Learn to line dance for future Vapor/GNA Country Nights.