Lily and Pat Carbone performing at Jersey Idol

Jersey Idol: Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow

Jersey Idol - Crossroads, Garwood NJ - Saturday, October 3

I had the pleasure today of serving as one of the judges at a Battle of the Bands competition as part of a benefit for St. Huberts Animal Shelter.

The contestants were vying for several prizes - a chance to sing the national anthem at a Somerset Patriots minor league baseball game (won by Elaine Magentiren,) a recording session at Soundwaves Studio (won by Sebastian Rivera,) and a consultation with a local management company (won by the hard rock band Kickdown.)

The contestants ranged from grammar school kids to teens to adults of all ages, and we judges didn't have an easy time picking the winners. Elaine, who sang "Ave Maria," had a beautiful voice with impressive range, but she vied against quite a few singers who impressed us with their voices. There were two full bands, but we liked Kickdown's style and chops a little more. Sebastian River is a young NJ singer/songwriter who reminded me of David Archuleta; he has the kind of pipes and charisma that could take him to the finals on the real American Idol.

Hopefully you will be reading about all of the winners as well as a few of the other contestants on JerseyBeat.com. In the meantime, please visit the sponsors St. Hubert's Animal Shelter and make a donation (or adopt a pet.)