Tag: Wilson Idol

2017 ‘Wilson Idol’ set for Sept. 9 with McDonald Sisters as guest judges



Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries take great pride in presenting the 2017 “Wilson Idol” Talent Show.  The competition is set for September 9, 2017, at Fike High School, 500 Harrison Drive, Wilson, NC.  

This year, ten hopefuls will vy for the title of “Wilson Idol.”  Special guest judges are gospel powerhouses, The McDonald Sisters.

“Wilson Idol” is an annual event that showcases the musical, dance, and spoken word talents of Wilson’s emerging and unsung artists.  The participants compete for cash prizes, an opportunity to perform for gospel’s queen Pastor Shirley Caesar, and a part in the stage production of the award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” a gospel drama written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville. This year’s show is expanding to feature two non-competitive categories, “Babes Have Talent, Too” (ages 3-9) and “Seniors Have Talent, Too” (ages 65 and up).

Tall One Outreach Ministries will also honor Pastor Victor Baine, Phyllis Vick, Dr. Mural Lanier, Bishop Gregory Blow, Tracy Gordon, Esther Gordon, Leonard Slagle, and  Dr. Raymond Summerville with The Tall One Champion’s Award.  Tall One’s Champion’s Award Program honors individuals for their hard work, perseverance, and meritorious contributions to their communities. The chosen honorees have affected their communities through various educational initiatives such as the performing arts, community services, education, and outreach ministries. 

Doors for the “Wilson Idol” show open at 4 PM and the event is scheduled to begin promptly at 5 PM.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.  For ticket information and other inquiries, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689 or email [email protected].


– From a press release

‘Wilson Idol’ winner Alexander Blount: ‘I am ready to see where He takes me on this journey’

Alexander Blount

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

With gospel vocalist Shawn McLemore at the helm of the judges’ panel and a $1,000 prize and other perks at stake, Alexander Blount emerged as the 2016 grand prize winner of the “Wilson Idol” Talent Show, held Saturday, September 24, at Fike High School in Wilson, NC.  The annual competition was presented by Summerville Promotion and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries and emceed by GMF’s Libra Boyd and Rev. Justin Barbour. 

‘Wilson Idol’ is an event that showcases the singing, instrumental, and spoken-word talents of Wilson area youths and adults.  The talent show opens doors for many participants and exposes them to the greater Wilson community and beyond. 

Libra caught up with the East Carolina University sophomore and newly named “Wilson Idol” to talk more about his musical journey and ambitions. 

Libra:  Congrats on your win!  Please tell us about your musical background and interests.

Thank you! I started singing at church and school when I was young, like most children. I know I wasn’t more than three or four when I started singing. I have always loved music and the positive effects that it had on people, but I never looked at the bigger picture of what Christ had for me. I definitely didn’t start taking my singing seriously until 11th grade. My chorus teacher, Mr. Jeremy Tucker, really started showing me the possibilities of what I could do with music, and I’m glad that I listened. I attend East Carolina University’s School of Music, and I’m majoring in music education and vocal performance. As far as my interests go, I really like what every genre has to offer. Music is a universal language that musicians and listeners all speak, but if I had to choose [a genre] I’d [choose] gospel and jazz music.

Libra:  Who are your musical influences?

Lauryn Hill, Marvin Winans, Jermaine Dolly, James Hall, Cory Henry, Pastor Andrew Barbour, Greg Cox, and Stephen Pender. They all have brought something totally different to the world of music, whether it [be] their own rendition of a song or something [completely original]. I really like how they were comfortable to be themselves. They did things their way instead doing what everyone else was doing, and the music that they have created is absolutely great.

Libra:  The judges selected you from 15 contestants as the grand prize winner of “Wilson Idol” for your performance of VaShawn Mitchell’s “Turning Around for Me.”  How did you select that song and what was your prep process like?

I actually heard one of my friends at church sing it, and I really loved the message behind it. Things will turn around as soon as you put your faith in Christ and stop worrying. I would practice at least four days out of the week to make sure I had everything down. Eventually, I [got] my parents to come hear me. Then once I got with the ‘Wilson Idol’ band (Rod Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Jesse Johnson, and Zyyayre Johnson), we all clicked and I was like, ‘Yeah, we have something special here.’

Libra:  So you expected to win?

Honestly?  No ma’am.  There were a lot of great vocalists in the competition. But I’m grateful that I won!

Libra:  What are your music ambitions?

I plan on releasing a single within the next few months and eventually an EP…then an album and eventually [I want to] collaborate with different artists. I’ve been talking to Jamal Lewis and Stephen Pender about it. Jamal is a great producer and over the course of my ‘Wilson Idol’ experience I got to know him; he’s a great guy.  Stephen is a family friend, and he’s like my big brother; and in my opinion he’s one of the best organists on the East Coast. Along with them, my parents and peers are backing me so I can’t wait to get to the next level of my career.

Libra:  With more exposure and larger platforms, it becomes important to remain grounded in and covered by your local assembly.  Would you like to shout out your church?

I would absolutely love to! Everyone in Willing Workers Apostolic Holiness Church (Lucama, NC)–young and old–have watched me grow and perfect my craft daily. They all are my family and I truly love them!

Blount adds,

I [also] really appreciate the opportunity that Dr. Mildred Summerville gave me. I thank my parents and grandparents, my siblings, my girlfriend, and everyone that is connected with me for believing in me. Most importantly, I thank God for the gifts and talents that He has instilled in me and I am ready to see where He takes me on this journey of life. 

In addition to the $1,000 cash prize, Blount’s win comes with a trophy, a chance to perform for gospel great Pastor Shirley Caesar, a part in the stage production of Dr. Mildred Summerville’s award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to record with artist Dr. James Robertson.

GMF congratulates Blount as well as the runners-up in the youth and adult divisions.

2016 'Wilson Idol' on tap for Sept. 24 with Shawn Mclemore as special guest judge

On September 24, 2016, “Wilson Idol” will provide an evening of entertainment at Fike High School, 500 Harrison Drive, Wilson, NC.  Doors open at 4 PM and the event is scheduled to begin promptly at 5 PM.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

“Wilson Idol,” produced by The Summerville Promotion and Production Company along with Tall One Outreach Ministries, showcases the musical, dance, and spoken word talents of Wilson’s unsung acts.  This year, more than 20 hopefuls will vy for the title of “Wilson Idol.”  Special guest and judge is recording artist Shawn McLemore, whose credits include the Billboard charting CD, Wait on Him and more recently, “I Believe,” on which he is featured with James Fortune and Zacardi Cortez.

In addition to media coverage and a cash prize, the evening’s top performer will have an opportunity to perform for gospel’s queen Pastor Shirley Caesar and will be given a part in the stage production of the award-winning gospel play, “Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child,” a gospel drama written and produced by Dr. Mildred Summerville.  This year’s winner will also earn an opportunity to record with Dr. James Robertson.

Correlated with last year’s competition was the launch of the Tall One’s Champion Award program.  The Tall One’s Champion Award program honors individuals for their hard work, perseverance, and meritorious contributions to their communities. The chosen honorees have impacted their communities through various initiatives such as performing arts, community services, education, and outreach ministries.  This year, Tall One Outreach Ministries pays tribute to Bishop Aaron McNair, Dr. Brooksie Harrington, Prophet Calvin Suggs, Pastor Ricky Daughtridge, Evangelist Veronica Morgan, Marjie Slagle, and Roy Edmundson.

For ticket information and other inquiries, contact Dr. Mildred Summerville at 252-230-2689 or email [email protected].

– From a press release

'Wilson Idol' 2015: "And the winner is…

Photo | PVICK Studio

By Libra Boyd
Gospel Music Fever

…Patrice Farmer!”


Congratulations to Patrice Farmer (pictured with Dr. Mildred Summerville), grand prize winner of the third annual “Wilson Idol” talent competition, held Saturday, September 19, at Wilson, NC’s Fike High School auditorium.  Patrice wowed the judges and captivated the audience with her vocal performance of Tamela Mann’s “I Can Only Imagine” to capture the first place honor.  The win came with a $1,000 prize and trophy, along with a part in the onstage production of the award-winning Mildred Summerville play “Spare the Rod,
Spoil the Child,” and an opportunity to perform for gospel music’s leading lady, Pastor Shirley Caesar.


As has become standard for the annual competition, participants took to the stage and delivered an evening of impressive performances that left judges splitting hairs over who would earn the grand prize as well as top spots in the youth and adult divisions.


Runners-up in the youth division were:

James Thomas Daniels (1st runner-up)
Precious Finch (2nd runner-up)
William Featherston (3rd runner-up)


In the adult division, runners-up were:

Shannon Baker (1st runner-up)
Kelsey Joyner (2nd runner-up)
Ashley Ongaro (3rd runner-up)


Each runner-up was presented a trophy for his or her exceptional performance, and each contestant received a certificate of recognition. 

“Wilson Idol“ talent competition is sponsored by Summerville Promotion
and Production Company and Tall One Outreach Ministries to give residents of Wilson, NC (ages 10 and up)
an opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of music, dance/step, and acting.

This year, for the first time, “Wilson Idol” recognized three honorees as Tall One Outreach Ministries’
Champions.  During a pre-show, Bishop Eloise Sessoms,
Sharetta Blackwell, and Minister Michael Boone were celebrated for
standing tall in the Wilson community through excellence in leadership,
integrity, and inspiration. 

GMF congratulates Patrice, the runners-up, the Tall One Outreach Ministries’ Champions, and the show’s producer Dr. Mildred Summerville for jobs well done!