HIT Idol winners to perform at Summerfest

BESSEMER - The seven winners of last fall's HIT Idol have been invited to perform with American Idol contestant Naima Adedapo at Summerfest in Milwaukee on July 4.

According to HIT Idol producer Janie Williams, HIT Idol is a talent show loosely based on the popular TV Show "American Idol."

Adedapo, 30, who grew up in Milwaukee, finished in the top 11 of the 10th season of American Idol in 2011. She was the headline act at the fourth annual HIT Idol in November.

The seven local winners that night were Vivian Gammill, Kate Averitt Eddie Carrothers, Dakota Rice, Vanessa Nasi, Elise Besonen and Enola Miskovich.

After the awards ceremony, Adedapo broke the news to them on stage that they would be performing with her while she's on tour in Milwaukee.

"We thought, 'Oh my gosh, this is awesome,'" Williams said. "Then we didn't hear anything for months. Then we got word toward the end of May that she wanted the kids to come down to perform with her."

To get ready, Williams said they have been working hard and rehearsing together for weeks.

"We've been working with [Naima] and her manager to coordinate what music we're going to be doing and sending recordings back on fourth."

Over the past couple weeks, Williams said she's seen them develop as a group.

"These are some of the most talented young people that we have in this region," she said. "Like with any group you bring together, at first they're not sure how comfortable they're going to be with each other. Music has opened them up and brought them together. I think they've grown as friends. This is going to be an experience' they're sharing together."

Talented group

From all over the region, each member brings his or her style to the group.

From Ewen, Carrothers said he has gown up in a musical family.

"I got my Dad's piano playing and my Mom's singing," Carrothers said.

Ironwood resident Averitt said she has been singing since she was a kid.

"I've always watch American Idol on TV," she said. "I've been singing since I was a kid and it's my biggest passion. When I heard that we were having our own American Idol here, I thought it would be a really cool idea."

From Hurley, Rice said he entered HIT Idol because it looked fun.

"I had went the previous year to the Saturday night show," Rice said. "I saw the performer that came in. It just seemed like a really fun thing to do. I had a few things that I though would add to the show. It was an opportunity to get out there. It was fun."

Nasi, from Ironwood, said she's competed in HIT Idol since the beginning.

"I've been doing it ever since he first year," Nasi said. "I just stayed with it. Since it's such a big audience, it's just so fun."

Gammill, also from Ironwood, said she knew a lot of people from before.

"I was in Accent! at Ironwood with Kate and Vanessa," Gammill said. "So it wasn't so distant because I already had that friendship established."

Besonen attends Ewen-Trout Creek School and Miskovich attends Wakefield-Marenisco School.

Preview concert

To prepare for the big day, they're going to put on a preview concert on Wednesday, July 1, at the Maplewood Steakhouse at 7 p.m. to raise money for their trip to Milwaukee.

On the big day, Williams said they're going to perform on a much bigger stage.

"We're going to perform in front of six to eight thousand people," she said "I think they're going to be fine. You're gathering energy from the crowd and you're picking up on that and it's just fun."

Together, Adedapo and the finalists will sing two songs with Adedapo's band: "Burn" by Ellie Goulding and "Love Runs Out" by One Republic.