‘Buffalo Idol’ finals

by Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, December 4, 2004

The third annual “Janet and Nick’s Buffalo Idol” contest is underway.

The competition to find Western New York’s top singer began with a Kiss 98.5-FM talent search on Oct. 18. 500 hopefuls performed, and 30 semi-finalists were chosen. Over the course of six Mondays, those singers performed live and in the Kiss studio for morning show hosts Janet Snyder, Nicholas Picholas and Wease. Kiss listeners voted online each week narrowing the field to six finalists.

The contest is wrapping up next week, with those who made the final cut competing at around 7 a.m. Tuesday in the Boulevard Mall food court. Each finalist will perform one full song. Listeners will determine the winner by voting online at www.kiss985.com. The winner will be announced on Thursday.

The “Idol” will open the radio station’s annual Kissmas Bash concert on Friday, Dec. 17, at HSBC Arena. Artists slated to perform at the holiday show include Avril Lavigne, Gavin DeGraw, Simple Plan, Vanessa Carlton and Buffalo’s own Seven Day Faith. Sponsors include Niagara University and Kustom Workz.

Additionally, the “Idol” is afforded the opportunity to record a demo with Audio Magic. Grand Island’s Marc Scibilia won last year’s competition, and released a self-titled album soon after.

This year’s six finalists will perform one song together at Kissmas Bash. Local vocal coach Debbie Bello has been working with this year’s competitors each week, and will produce the group’s act.

“Janet and Nick’s Buffalo Idol” concludes next Tuesday with six finalists singing live at the Boulevard Mall. The Kissmas Bash takes place at Buffalo’s HSBC Arena on Friday, Dec. 17.

‘Buffalo Idol’ finalists

• Jaime Bingel, 21, of Orchard Park

• Amanda Nagurney, 16, of West Seneca

• Jessica Rodriquez, 17, from Lockport

• Nina Hadziantich, 12, from Williamsville

• Caitlin Koch, 14, from Orchard Park

• Samantha Taglienti, 15, from Orchard Park

For more information visit www.kiss985.com.