Kurt Bestor's 'Best Singer Search' Comes to USU

It’s being called Utah’s answer to American Idol, and it’s coming to the Utah State University campus.


“Kurt Bestor’s Best Singer Search” stops in Logan Wednesday, Oct. 31, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center’s Sunburst Lounge. Bestor will be on hand to audition singers who hope to win the competition.

Singers will compete for the grand prize — a spot singing on stage at the 19th Annual Kurt Bestor Christmas Concert. The winner will also attend a professional studio session with Bestor to record a piece specially arranged by Bestor and receive a trip to Los Angeles, including flight and hotel, to meet a record executive.

 

“We’re excited to have Kurt Bestor in Logan and at Utah State University,” said Megan Smith, activities chair for the Associated Students of Utah State University. “We’ve got a lot of really talented students here who are eager to audition.”

 

The audition requires no pre-registration. Singers sign up on site and receive an audition number. When the number is called, the singer has 60 seconds to reach the stage. Hopefuls then have two minutes to sing a number of choice — a cappella — using the provided microphone and sound system. No musical accompaniment is provided. Auditions are first-come, first-served.

 

“We are primarily judging vocal talent and stage presence,” said Kevin Raleigh, Bestor’s Los Angeles-based agent. “Once we have that, we can do a lot with that person.”

 

Bestor likes the idea of people performing under pressure.

 

“When your number is called, you’d better be ready to knock our socks off,” he said. “I’ve been in some pressure situations myself and, for some reason, that’s usually when I do my best.”

 

Auditions are open to the public, and those not interested in competing can watch.

 

In addition to the Logan auditions, performers can audition in Salt Lake City and Provo. Statewide, three finalists will be selected, then compete in the final competition on KSL-TV’s “Studio Five” Nov. 28. The winner will be announced on the show.

 

For more information, contact press agent Pam Baumeister, (801) 898-8458. Ongoing contest updates are available at kurtbestor.com.

 

Contact: Megan Smith (435) 797-1718, meganlynn@cc.usu.edu

Contact: Pamela Baumeister (801) 898-8583, pam@fruitionconsultants.com