FRACKVILLE - Schuylkill County Idol XI kicked off Tuesday evening at center court in the Schuylkill Mall with 17 contestants.
"We are very excited to host Schuylkill County Idol for the 11th year," Elaine Maneval, mall general manager, said Tuesday.
The competition began after a performance by last year's winner, Maura Gownley, Ashland. Gownley sang and played the piano.
She said her experience in the competition has helped her become a better performer.
"It has definitely given me a lot more experience, so my confidence level has been higher and I haven't been as nervous at performances," Gownley said.
Her advice to this year's contestants was to choose a song they are comfortable with and to "own it."
Contestants ranged from age 16 to 30 and were evaluated on their vocal skills, performance and stage presence.
This year's participants included Cody Wiley, 23, of Pottsville; Autumn Maurer, 19, of Frackville; Robert Mills, 25, of Mahanoy City; Justine Ellis, 19, of Pottsville; Elizabeth Smallwood, 18, of Hegins; Eva Marie Jones, 30, of Mahanoy City; Dana Randall, 21, of Girardville; Dynasia Irving, 17, of Shenandoah; Jacob Tarconish, 18, of Barnesville; Suk Caesy Fung, 18, of Pottsville; Joseph Potter, 23, of Pottsville; Rich Harper, 20, of Cumbola; Ryan Wilkinson, 28, of Pottsville; Suk Marey Fung, 16, of Pottsville; Emily Hornberger, 21, of Hegins; Victoria Shaw, 16, of Gilberton; and Tiff Maley, 20, of Frackville.
Wiley said Tuesday marked his fourth year in the competition.
"Singing is my everything," Wiley said after his performance. "It's all I want to do. I'd give anything to do it for the rest of my life."
Wiley sang and played guitar to "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran. He said he chose the song because he sings it to his daughter every night to put her to sleep.
"The first time I heard it, I had her in my mind," Wiley said. "That's why I'd love to win this competition. It would make her happy."
Mills had one of the most energetic performances of the night while singing "Don't Stop Believin' " by Journey. While he didn't play an instrument, he danced and had the crowd clapping along to the music.
"I'm just doing it for fun," Mills said.
There will be no fan voting this year and those advancing to the next round will be announced following each show. Judges were Jeff Buchanan, Kim Russell Seibert and Allison Stella, who narrowed down the competition to 10 by the end of the night.
Those advancing to next week's show are: Ellis, Maurer, Wiley, Suk Caesy Fung, Randall, Harper, Wilkinson, Irving, Maley and Tarconish.
The winner of this year's competition will receive a $1,000 Schuylkill Mall gift certificate, $100 gift certificate courtesy of Bon-Ton, a professional studio photo shoot courtesy of Michael's Photography, caricature package courtesy of Angie Jordan, makeover from the Beverly Carlton Salon, $20 Kmart gift card, $50 Schuylkill Mall Gift Certificate from McCann's School of Business and a performance on Aug. 3 at the Schuylkill County Fair.
Audience members attending at least two of the shows will also be entered to win prizes. The grand prize this year for audience members is a flat screen TV. Other prizes include gift certificates and Reading Fightin Phils tickets.
The Schuylkill United Way will also be at the competition each week to promote its "Stuff the Bus" promotion to collect school supplies that will be distributed to families who cannot afford all of the school necessities like the pens, pencil, notebooks and backpacks. For each item a person donates, they will receive a raffle ticket for audience prizes.
Schuylkill County Idol XI will continue at 6 p.m. July 9, 16 and 23. A winner will be announced after the show on July 23. For more information about Schuylkill County Idol, visit the Schuylkill Mall website at www.shopschuylkillmall.com.