Hey all
Freshly returned from Northmead Bowlo's grand final. It was a good night. I had reservations about it at first as it was going very slowly with the new system of judging in place but it soon got into the swing of things and ran like clockwork.
A panel of 3 judges and a table of 4 people representative of the entire audience would hand in their scores after each singer's performance. Those scores would be entered into - and tallied by - computer. The total score from the panel of 3 judges would be displayed, once entered but the 'audience' scores remained a mystery throughout. It's a good system.
2 of the songs I wanted to do weren't available on the list, so I was furiously searching for alternatives I thought comp worthy. That was difficult as I am not someone who likes repeating himself at karaoke and I wasn't at all familiar with if they had the versions of some of the songs that I wanted and felt it was too risky to put down completely new songs even though I was confident I could do them well if they were on a par with the original songs - Harry Connick Jr. stuff was what I had in mind but I'll try those out soon enough (looking forward to that!).
I opted for Will Smith's 'Switch' first and Elvis Presley's 'Kiss Me Quick' and 'Edge Of Reality' as my subsequent numbers and handed those choices in.
Shortly thereafter, all we 13 singers who had shown up to compete (a 14th opted out last minute due to having the flu) were briefed in advance of how the judging was to go and who made up our 3 main judges - 2 singing teachers and a musician. When I heard that, I instantly regretted my hip hop song choice of 'Switch.' Performing it was taxing as looking out at the judges and audience alike, I seriously thought they hated me. Everyone looked so bored and even judgemental. I just did my best to keep smiling and try to look as though I was enjoying myself even though I was thinking, 'You should have chosen a different song, Johnny. You should have chosen a different song!!! You're not going through to 2nd round now.' So it was that I was surprised and greatly relieved when after scores displayed around the 150 to 170 mark for those before me, up came my score of 226! Woo hoo!! I was also surprised at the compliments from folk when I returned to my table - even an elderly woman. It always shocks me when the 'old biddies' like me for a hip hop or otherwise contemporary song which you are sure they would never listen to EVER if someone played it.
Then Grahame had to go and get 232 after performing straight after me, the bugger. lol. That cemented us as 1st and 2nd place by far.
Second round, I was first up and the score 529.5. I don't know how that works out cos according to my calculations, that means I got 303.5 for my 2nd score from the 3 judges. I would have thought 3 judges scoring would mean a possible total of only 300 (100 points from each judge). Seems I was wrong. Again I was thwarted by Grahame with a score of some 30 points more than mine. However, again, we were the 2 leaders points-wise of the 8 singers in that round.
3rd round, I was selected to sing 1st again! The scores were not displayed this time but I knew my singing was not the best. I struggled after hearing my voice crack unexpectedly on one note. Nerves took over then a little bit and I focussed too much on trying to avoid mistakes instead of just relaxing and getting on with sounding GOOD. Result: MORE mistakes! Grr.... Too many malibus again. However, I thought given the scoring thus far and the fairly consistent performances by the other 3 singers throughout, that I stood a good chance of getting 2nd place. I wound up with 3rd. Small change but not bad for singing 3 songs in an evening and certainly welcomed by my next to empty wallet. Nice to have placed this time too as opposed to missing out at Matraville the other week.
A good night. I only would have had more fun if there was space to dance without blocking the judges' view. Oh and also, I remembered the last time I had performed 'Kiss Me Quick' in a final (years ago) I had leapt off stage, so I did that tonight too but it was only later that I remembered the reason it was so effective that other time was because I landed doing those splits for which I am well known (they're only 'jazz splits' and it's much easier to do than it looks). Wished I'd done THAT this time around but oh well.
Keith was taking photos of us all as we sang throughout the evening. He came over to show me a great shot of me which I will be very happy to receive via email to possibly use in future as it's rare I see a pic of me that actually looks good and he reckons it's the best photo he's ever taken. I was quite chuffed by this flattering news! lol.

My thanks again to Harpoet if you're reading this for the lift home you so graciously offered and which I happily accepted. Much appreciated! The weather of chilly gales and diagonal rain is still going now as I type this. Brrrr!!! Very glad I didn't have to walk home in it or even just have to wait in it for a cab.

So! Redfern tonight (Saturday). Fingers crossed for getting into that comp.

Looking forward to catching up with a few of you soon :) Undecided about going to St Pats this weekend but I MAY show. We shall see!
Submitted by Johnny B on 08-06-2007

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