Saturday 11:30AM
ENAC TV PROVIDENCE
"My R.I. TV"
(Providence RI DMA)
11:30AM

Saturday 9:00PM
WPXT TV PORTLAND
Portland's CW
(Portland ME DMA)
9:00PM

Saturday 12:00 Mid
WBZ TV BOSTON
CBS 4
(Boston DMA)
12 Midnight

Sunday 12 Noon
WSBK TV38 BOSTON
MYTV
(Boston DMA)
12 Noon

Sunday 12 Noon
WPXT TV PORTLAND
Portland's CW
(Portland DMA)
12 Noon

Sunday 12 Mid
WWLP TV-22 SPRINGFIELD
NBC
(Springfield DMA)
12 Midnight

Monday 1:00AM
WBZ TV BOSTON
CBS 4
(Boston DMA)
1:00AM

March 2, 2012

Community Auditions Contestant on American Idol!









Community Auditions would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to former contestant Erika Van Pelt! Last night, Van Pelt was chosen from American Idol’s wild card round to compete in the final 13. We hope that as fans of the show, you will go out and show support for Erika.

When Erika was on the show we had the pleasure of getting to know her. Here are some questions we asked her:

How did you get interested in music in the first place?
“Both of my parents are musicians – I come from a long line of musicians. So, in part, I feel like I was destined to be a musician myself. I was brought up on everything from old Broadway musicals to jazz greats like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and others. My parents exposed me to motown and funk bands from the 70′s, and I grew up in the 80′s and 90′s learning to appreciate every genre of music. It’s in my blood. I love it more than anything.”

Where have you performed?
“I play weekly on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. I have played at Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA, the Providence Performing Arts Center, and have also performed frequently at well known local spots like the Hi-Hat in Providence and the Newport Blues Cafe. I have also performed in places like Dallas, TX with my band where Sheena Easton opened the night and another gig in Dallas where we opened at a private party where Maroon 5 also performed, the House of Blues Boston with the band Animotion for a V66 reunion show, as well as public and private gigs in Miami and Palm Beach, FL.”

What kinds of music do you enjoy best? Any favorite performers or favorite songs?
“My favorite kinds of music are probably R&B and soul. I love singers like Aretha Franklin, gospel singer Kim Burrell, India Arie, Jill Scott, and others. I’m also heavily influenced by pop greats like Michael Jackson, Beyonce and Christina Aguilera.”

How do you like to spend your free time?
“I love to golf, shoot pool, go bowling, biking, running, and swimming. I also just love to go out and see a great live band play.”

Who would you say has most inspired you?
“In my life, my mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. She is the strongest woman I know and I think I’ve carried that strength into my performing. Musically, my entire family has inspired me – my dad, my sister Sarah, and my brother Collin, all musicians themselves. I draw inspiration from them everyday.”

Break a leg Erika, we know you can do it! Be sure to vote for her next week on American Idol!

 

February 10, 2012

Dave Maynard: A Retrospective

 

With the passing of Dave Maynard our Executive Producer Charles Armstrong wrote a bit about their relationship and the impact he’s had not only on Community Auditions but on New England TV.

 

Ask anyone that knew him and they will tell you, Dave Maynard was a true renaissance man, an inspiration, a wit and a New England Tradition. But what folks will tell you they remember most is that he was just a wonderful human being. He was devoted to his audience, and for Dave, it was always about the community.

Dave loved Community Auditions because it was a way for him to give back. And give back he did, whether it was his Farmers Market charity fundraisers, to launching the first telethon for Boston Children’s Hospital, to giving someone their first break on TV (Comedian Sarah Silverman to Actor Scott Grimes). He always gave back, because that is what made him tick.

As for television, he still “is” local TV today, from Community Auditions Star of the Day now in its 44th season, to being the original “Phantom Gourmet,” his creativity and commitment to the community will always live on.

He was not just an inspiration, but also a true friend. Dave didn’t just appear on the new Community Auditions and do promos for our re-launch, he actually took the time to help us craft the entire program through the lens of, “the experience that our contestants would have.” He emphasized that everyone should feel special and everyone should have fun. Those are the rules we live by today and what we try do every year as people vie for the Community Auditions Dave Maynard Grand Championship Trophy.

Quick stories:

When we brought back Community Auditions in 2007, Dave was there to help us re-launch the show. The first thing he told me was, “Get ready for puke.” I said, “What do you mean?” He said, “Some of the kids get really nervous so be ready for them to throw up on you.” I said, “Note to self, don’t be the host.” He said, ”No you get used to it, and after a while, you will learn to know when it’s coming so you will be able to get out of the way.”

It was all about family for Dave. Another thing he said was – “You have got to have dancers.“ I said “why?” He said, “There are hundreds of dance schools in cities and towns all around New England, and Community Auditions was the only place that they could get up and show their talent.”

We will really miss you Dave, but trust us, no one is ever going to forget what you meant to us all.

 

November 11, 2011

Tara Canady – Episode #23

Tara Canady
Braintree
Singing: Many the Miles By: Sara Bareilles

How long have you been performing?
“Since I was 3 or 4, putting on shows for family in nothing but cowboy boots singing Patsy Cline.”

What kind(s) of music do you enjoy best?  Any favorite performers or favorite
songs?  And why do you like them?

“I appreciate every kind of music; I have a soft spot for Adele and Sara Bareilles, two powerhouse soulful female singers that not only write amazing songs but put on great shows and sing from the heart; I also have a soft spot for fellow Berklee Student John Mayer; one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.”

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
“Five years from now I’d love to own a successful bakery (that also features live music!)”

What is the most fun thing you have ever done?
“The most fun thing I’ve ever done would probably have to be waiting 12 hours in the rain to audition for American Idol. Though it was a long day, I met some awesome and very talented people!”

How do you like to spend your free time?  Do you have hobbies?
“I love spending time with my daughter Alexis, Baking, Fishing, and of course, singing!”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?
“My greatest accomplishment so far would probably be returning to school after becoming a single parent, and not giving up!”

Shea Rose- Episode #23

 

Shea Rose
Hometown: Boston, MA
Singing: Rock n’ Rose  By: Shea Rose

How would you describe your musical style?

“I can say that I am a soulful, feisty, rockin’ storyteller and performer with traces of Blues, Hip Hop, Folk, Jazz, and Rock influences.  I find comfort in both a Janis Joplin blood curdling scream and a soothing Marvin Gaye groan, so when I write songs, they encompass both sentiments – the raw and the sensitive.”

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far?

“I am so very grateful to be studying at Berklee College of Music.  It has changed my life.  Through their support and guidance, I’ve had the opportunity to do some very cool things like appear on the 2010 BET Awards, travel to Athens, Greece to study music and perform, record with drumstress Cindy Blackman in Naples, Italy, host the weekly online events video guide “What’s Happening at Berklee,” open for Amel Larriuex (one of my influences), meet Queen Latifah, record a remake of Queen Latifah’s hit U.N.I.T.Y, and become a spokesmodel CoverGirl – ‘The Queen Collection.’  I feel so blessed!”

Who would you say has most inspired you?

“My family is my rock, more then I realize at times.  They have supported me in this endeavor, which makes this roller coaster ride much smoother.  I dedicate all of my performances to my late Great Aunt Lillian.  She taught me how to be a lady.”

 

Athene Wilson- Episode #23

Athene Wilson
Dorchester, MA
Singing: Chain of Fools By: Aretha Franklin