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Home > Archive > Oct 11, 2007

Looking for the Best
By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
For local radio surfers who have ever listened to a multi-platinum, on-air crooner and thought, “I can sing like that,” the chance for musical fame has arrived.
Emmy Award-winning songwriter and performer Kurt Bestor is searching the Beehive State to find Utah's most talented singer, and the first stop on his “Bestor's Best of Utah Singing Search” will be Thursday, Oct. 18, at St. George's very own Downtown Thursday Night street fair.
“I'm not Simon Cowell,” Bestor said. “It'll be scary, but it won't be mean. I admire anybody that's willing to stand up and do what a lot of people wouldn't do, so don't come thinking I'm going to rip you apart. This isn't for television ratings; it's to honestly find some good talent.”
Something like Bestor's own version of American Idol, “Bestor's Best” will comb the state to find the individual who, in Bestor's opinion, is Utah's finest singer. That individual will then be treated to a bevy of professional perks, including joining Bestor onstage at his 19th annual Christmas concert in Salt Lake's Abravenal Hall, having a song personally arranged by Bestor to be performed at the concert, getting studio time to record a demo of the song, and being flown to Los Angeles to meet with representatives from talent agents and producers for a chance at a big break into the music biz.
“Utah is known for its talent,” Bestor said. “I'm proud of my state, and I'm proud to be from here, and I feel like at this stage of my life, as I get a little older, that I can give opportunities to up-and-coming artists like people did to me.”
Guest artists traditionally have joined Bestor at his Christmas concert, but the invited singers have typically been celebrities and out-of-state performers in the past. Artists such as Debbie Gibson and Jennifer Warns have joined him in previous years, but when people began asking Bestor why he didn't feature more local musicians at his concerts, he considered the question seriously and began turning his talent-scouting sights homeward.
“I thought it was about time to mine the vocal talents of Utah a little bit more,” he said.
So the idea for his “Bestor's Best of Utah” search was born.
Bestor, with local guest judge Bonnie Lake by his side, will begin his vocal talent search in St. George, listening to the two-minute, a capella auditions of Southern Utah hopefuls from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Downtown Thursday Night. Bestor will then continue his search throughout the state, seeking singers in Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden and Logan.
“Normally, we'd save the best for last, but we're going to start in St. George,” he said with a smile.
For the competition, there will be no pre-registration – it'll be first come, first serve. Participants will sign up on site and be given a number, and once their number is called, they will have only 60 seconds to come up to the stage and prepare to belt out their tune for Bestor.
Audition pieces can be any song, any style, Bestor said; Christmas songs are fine but not mandated – contestants should just select songs that show off their voices. Microphones will be available for participants, but no backup music will be permitted.
There are no age restrictions for Bestor's Best – any and all are invited to audition, provided they have the pipes to impress Bestor.
“There could people down in St. George who are 50 who are amazing,” Bestor said. “There could be kids who are 6 years old who are amazing. I just want talent, and I don't think that comes in any age.”
And for those who can't make it to the audition here or who try out at Downtown Thursday Night but feel their audition didn't go well, Bestor said he doesn't mind a repeat performance – they're welcome to attend any of the other auditions for another try.
When the competition has concluded in all the Utah cities, it will be up to Bestor to pick his favorites. The top three finalists will join the artist on KSL's “Studio Five” Nov. 26, and the winner will be announced on the air.
“If you've ever wanted to have a shot at singing in front of people or you've ever wanted to have a shot at getting a recording contract – maybe you couldn't go out to American Idol – here's your big chance. You should come out and try for this,” said Pamela Baumeister, a press agent for Bestor.
Downtown Thursday Night, located on Main Street in St. George, will expand to a second street beginning Oct. 18 and will run down Main from St. George Boulevard to 100 South.
For additional information and contest updates for “Bestor's Best of Utah Singer Search,” visit www.kurtbestor.com.

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