It was a mix of original tunes and covers with Arts Humboldt Sound Cheque Showcase at the Humboldt Golf Course on Nov. 5.
Two competitors took the stage for a chance to win the $2,500 Canadian Content Development Grant from the CRTC with Ethyn Beggs from Humboldt and Katrina Alarilla from LeRoy bringing original music to the stage.
In the end they would choose Beggs to win the $2,500 musical prize.
While both performers were well presented on stage with beautiful voices, Beggs just had something more, says Judge and music producer, Randy Woods.
“Both of their vocals were really fantastic and their musicianship was good. (Beggs) just had a little more stage presence and confidence.”
And that confidence shone through as the competition was a seasoned vet verses a brand new voice to the stage as Beggs has been on the stage many times, including times when he shared the stage with the likes of Ray Whitton, and Brock Andrews.
Beggs performed Andy Grammer’s Fresh Eyes before performing his original tune Better Place.
Alarilla had been playing guitar since she was 15 years old and writes her own music but this was the first time that she was performing in a competition. The now 19 year old performed Norah Jones’ Don’t Know Why before performing her own composition, Meant to Be.
The judges had plenty to say about both performances as both performers had some trouble with lyrics but kept on going with their songs much to the accolades of the judges.
Judge Ryan Josephson said that is a sign of a professional musician when they start off on the wrong note but can admit to it and move on with the song.
Woods, who will be taking the winner under his wing for some one on one studio time says the decision was very hard for himself, and judges Josephson and Greg Marquis.
And the judges did have a hard time, says Larry Jorgenson with Arts Humboldt, with both performers being equally deserving of the prize.
Jorgenson was amazed at the level of songwriting ability that each performer brought to the stage since songwriting is a talent that not every singer has.
No matter how many times Woods comes to Humboldt, he is amazed at the level of talent that comes from such a small area.
Beggs was not expecting to win, he admits, from what he saw of Alarilla but he is happy to be working with Woods and see what he has to offer as a producer.
Jorgenson says that they are fortunate to have this grant available to not only Humboldt artists but artists within the Humboldt region as well.
In order to have a licensed radio station in town with Bolt FM, the CRTC requires the allocation of funds towards Canadian content.
Jorgenson says that while two musicians are great to see, he would like to see more musicians take a chance and come out to the Sound Cheque next year.
“We’re thankful that there are people around here who are willing to do this...it’s not just for people from Humboldt and it’s quite a large area.”
