Virtual Taste of Talent vocal competition wraps up

Her face said it all. Gloria Mancilla-Balog told host Todd Adkins that she was surprised she was even on stage for the finals. Saturday night she performed her two songs, "Hey there Delilah" and "Brand New Key" and stood up with the other finalists for the announcement. Her face showed her shock and amazement when Adkins announced she was the winner.

The virtual contest lacked the excitement of the live crowd the organizers are used to from the years of holding the event in Bandstand Park. "I want the park back," said Franklin Arts Council president Pat Dolecki who understands why they couldn't hold the event in the park. She and cohort Ronnie Beith, despite all odds and difficulties, still managed to hold the competition when most everything else has been cancelled. For that they should be commended.

Congrats Gloria Mancilla-Balog.
​Below are some images from Saturday night's finale.

On a personal note. I don't impress easily. When Kaylene Dunkle belted out  the Queen song "The Show Must Go On" I really thought that was one of the best ways I've ever heard Taste conclude. A gospel song a couple years ago was also very powerful. Also I met Lindsey Crabtree a few years ago when I did a story on her competitive cheer squad. Her vocal power and ability to command the stage as she performs I thought was impressive. I'm not a fan of the music she likes(Old hippie dude here) but I was moved by the power in which she raised each song to high points week after week. Ian Best is an incredible talent and a super good guy. I bothered him last year when he was playing shrek and watched him squeeze his head into the Ogre mask that was just too tight, but he still managed to go on.
Tonight listening to Mancilla-Balog sing "Brand New Key," which has a very weird vocal range to it, I was impressed how she just sings effortlessly.

And I just want to give kudos to Ronnie and Pat. It would've been easy to cancel, but you didn't and you still put together a little bit of hope for people tuning in online. I know it wasn't the same as being in the park, but you didn't give up and you found a way to give something to the community. Well done and thank you for letting this old unemployed photographer tag along for the ride.