Category: Talent Contest


Reach For the Stars Talent Revue Competition – Week 12

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March 27, 2017

Jeff Stachowski

Friday, March 24, was the last week of regular competition in Little Anthony’s Reach for the Stars Talent Revue competition at Harbor Point Club and Grill. Regular  judges Dan Roark, Pete Corm (Party with Pete), Lonny Schonfeld, and Tonya Houston were joined by Rachael A. Gregory. Little Anthony, of course, was MC, and Tomas Pineda, Jr. manned the video camera.

Contestants on the last  week – in order of appearance – were David Burns, Linda Stone,

Linda Stone

Albert Eli, and Jeff Stachowski. Fill-in acts were Johnny Christian, Steven Perry (winner from week 11), Don Wall (also a semi-finalist) with Jack Lavender, Sheryl McGuire, Darren Rozell, Lonny Schonfeld, Michael J. (comedian), Ricky Cabug-os, Tomas Pineda, Jr., and Copperhead Taylor. Dan Roark closed the show.

The final week winner was Jeff Stachowski. Linda Stone and Albert Eli came in second and third, respectively.

More pictures will be found on my FB music page.  Next Friday begins the semi-finals. Come on out and see all of  the talented performers. Show begins at 8 p.m.

Albert Eli

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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Reach For the Stars Talent Revue Contest – Week 7

Filed under: Communications, Current events, Dallas Songwriters Association, Music, showcases, Songwriting, Talent Contest, writing — Leave a comment
February 22, 2017
Rick Sheffield and Little Anthony Bellante Jr

Rick Sheffield and Little Anthony Bellante Jr

Last Friday, February 17, at Harbor Point Club and Grill, Little Anthony Bellante, Jr. kicked off week seven of the Reach For the Stars Talent Revue competition. Regular judge, Dan Roark, representing the Dallas Songwriters Association, was in attendance, with new semi-regular judge, Tanya Houston, and guest judge Ned “Elvis Presley” Spencer. Ned is an Elvis tribute artist.

The show began with Tannery Usrey, winner from week five who was unable to open last week’s show due

Ana Seldana and Anthony

Ana Seldana and Anthony

to illness. Following Usrey was David Conger, winner from week six. Then the competition began. Competitors on week seven were Ana Seldana, Curtis McCallum, Arthur Anderson, Linda Stone, Rick Sheffield, and Cindy Lewis.

Fill-in acts were Renea Sheffield, Ned Spencer, Darren Rozell, Mark Nash (doing comedy), Tomas Pineda, Jr., and Deano Isaac, with Dan Roark closing the show.

The winner was Rick Sheffield, who will open week eight. Second and third place went to Ana Seldana, and Curtis McCallum, second and third place, respectively.

Curtis McCallum and Anthony

Curtis McCallum and Anthony

Come on out to Harbor Point this Friday for week eight. Guest judges on week eight will be Rob and Brinka Lowe of www.castingnewlives.com.  It is always a great show, full of talented performers. Great music, good food, reasonable drinks, and a friendly staff!

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

Dan Roark

Dan Roark

Peace be with you.

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Reach for the Stars Talent Review Contest – Week 6

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February 13, 2017
David Conger

David Conger

This past Friday, February 10, at Harbor Point Club and Grill in Richardson we had week six of the Reach for the Stars competition. With Pete Cormican having a Party with Pete gig, Lonny Schonfeld, Dan Roark, and Tanya Houston were the judges. Several people who were to perform were taken ill. It’s been that kind of season for a lot of us.

Tanner Usrey, first place winner from week 5, who was to open the show, was one of those under the weather. The rules of the contest state that if a first place winner it unable to open the following week, he forfeits entry into the semi-finals. However, with illness being a valid reason for missing, Tanner will still advance. As will Joe Watson, second place winner from the previous week, who stepped up to come and open the show.

,Joe started the show with four songs, a mix of originals and cover songs. Ordinarily, it would be three songs, but with few competing performers, more songs were needed. Fill-in acts were Cheryl McGuire and Tomas Pineda, Jr. The judges even got into the act, as it were.

Lonny did a Louis Armstrong impression with What a Wonderful World. The only thing missing was the

Anthony and Cindy Lewis

Anthony and Cindy Lewis

handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on his brow. Comedienne Tanya got up on stage for a few routines. Dan closed the show with a few of his songs on ukulele and harmonica.

With only three competitors, David Conger came in first place, Cindy Lewis was second, and Sonja Wade was third.

Anthony and Sonja Wade

Anthony and Sonja Wade

Come on out Friday night for week seven. There is always a lot of good talent. Great music, good food, reasonable drinks,  and a friendly staff. If you would like to play as a fill-in performer or compete in the contest, call Anthony at 214-660-4799. There are spots open for this week. Come show us your talent!

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

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Reach For the Stars Talent Revue Contest – Week 5

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February 8, 2017
Tanner Usrey

Tanner Usrey

Last Friday, February 3rd, at Harbor Point Club and Grill in Richardson, was week five of Little Anthony’s Reach for the Stars Talent Competition. Regular judges Pete Cormican and Dan Roark were present, along with guest judges, Rev. KM Williams, and Drew “Spider” Minshew. Regular judge, Lonny Schonfeld, had a previous commitment.

Rev. Williams opened the show with his cigar box guitar blues. And he can play the blues. Darren Rozell,

Joe Watson

Joe Watson

winner from week four, followed the Reverend. Competing on Friday were Tanner Usrey, John Willis, Curtis McCullum, Linda Stone, Joe Watson, Cindy Lewis, and Renee Sheffield. Fill-in performers – other than Rev. Williams, were Spider Minshew, Felix Estrada and Tomas Pineda, Jr. First place winner was Tanner Usrey. Second and third place were Joe Watson and Curtis McCullum, respectively.

Come out this Friday for week six to see Tanner open the show. It’s always a great show and a fun time with great music, good food, reasonable drinks, and a friendly staff.

Curtis McCullum

Curtis McCullum

If you would like to perform or compete, call Anthony at 214-660-4799. I’ll be back to playing this week. I’m breaking out the ukulele and harmonica. Come on out and join us.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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Reach For the Stars Talent Review Contest – Week 4

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February 1, 2017
Darren Rozell

Darren Rozell

Last Friday, the 27th of January, was the fourth week of Little Anthony’s Reach for the Stars Talent Review competition at Harbor Point Club and Grill in Richardson. Regular judges, Lonny Schofeld, Pete Cormican, and Dan Roark were in attendance. Tin Man Travis, winner of week three, opened the show. Deano Isaacs, winner of week one, followed.

Contestants for the evening were Barry Healey, Darren Rozell, Jordan “Copperhead Taylor” Bearden, Linda Stone, and Sonya Wade. Fill-in performers were Joey Alcatraz and Tomas Pineda, Jr. with Dan Roark closing the show.

Darren Rozell won and will open the show this Friday. “Copperhead Taylor”came in second, with Sonya Wade coming in third. Darren performed original songs, as did the first place winners of three of the four weeks. After the winners were announced, Tin Man played a couple more songs with Brad Blackwood on harmonica.

The show this week promises to be as good as the previous weeks. Come join us, eat some good food and hear

"Copperhead Taylor"

“Copperhead Taylor”

some great music. The staff is friendly and there are shuffleboard and pool tables.

If you want to compete, call Anthony at 214-660-4799. There might be a couple of spots left.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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Reach For The Stars Talent Revue Contest, Week 2

Filed under: Communications, Current events, Dallas Songwriters Association, Food, Music, Recording, Songwriting, Talent Contest, writing — Leave a comment
January 15, 2017
Genaro Sendejas

Genaro Sendejas

The second week of the Reach for the Stars competition at Harbor Point on Friday began with Little Anthony introducing Deano Isaac, winner of week one. He sang a couple of Frank Sinatra songs, and a song that Elvis Presley covered. James Idley began the week’s competition with a few R&B tunes. My fellow judges were Lonny Schonfeld, Pete Cormican, and Gus Garza. [Read on if you would like to play as a fill-in or compete.]

Darby Martin played next. As he did when he played the week before when he came in second, he played an original song. For his third song, he put his guitar down and sang to a track. Isaac came back up and sang a couple more songs in a fill-in performance. Then Jack King – the Magic Guy with the Bow Tie – performed a few magic tricks, also as a fill-in performer.

The competition continued with Rachel Schriver, who also sang the week before. She seemed to have more

James Idley

James Idley

confidence this week and did well. She is also a veteran, for which she received applause and support. Genaro Sendejas followed with three good original songs, accompanying himself on guitar. David Marcus followed Sendejas. Marcus has a very good voice that is reminiscent of Frankie Valle and singers of that era.

LTD is a man and woman duo. I tried to get their names, but was told just to put LTD. They sang a couple of songs, including a Doobie Brothers tune, before she sang the last song alone. Cheryl McGuire came on next as a fill-in performer. She sang a few of the songs she sings at her nursing home shows.

David Marcus

David Marcus

A guy named Dan Roark closed the show with of few of his songs before the winners were announced. Genaro Sendejas came in first and will open the show next week. James Idley and David Marcus came in second and third, respectively.

Come join us at Harbor Point next Friday at 8 p.m. to hear Genaro and see what the evening brings. If you would like to play as a fill-in or compete, call Anthony at    214-660-4799 (no texts). Good food, reasonable drinks, and friendly staff. And a lot of good music. See more pictures on my FB music page.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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Reach For The Stars Talent Revue Contest – Week One

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January 9, 2017
Little Anthony and Deano Molina, 1st Week's Winner

Little Anthony and Deano Molina, 1st Week’s Winner

After twenty years, Little Anthony is holding his Talent Revue at least one more time. People are even entering the competition who competed back in the 90’s. The competition will be held every Friday beginning at 8 p.m. at Harbor Point Club and Grill in Richardson. There will be twelve weeks of competition, six weeks of semi-finals, and a one night grand finale. Winner receives $500.

The first week’s winner was Deano Molina. Second and third place belonged to Darby Martin, and Marty Nell, respectively. The judges were Pete Cormican, Lonny Schonfeld, and myself. Rachel Schriver and Noel Rodriguez also performed. William Mike Morrow took pictures, as did I. Tomas Pineda, Jr. videotaped the show for replay on CI-TV. I played a short set to end the show.

There was a good crowd and everyone had a good time. Darby Martin played guitar and included an original song. The others sang to songs/tracks on thumb drive or cd. That gives you the options if you would like to perform. Call Anthony at 214-660-4799 to get booked for the contest. Calls only, no texts. Check my music Facebook page for more of my pictures of the evening.

Even if you’re not performing, come on out and listen to the music. Food is good, drinks are reasonable, and staff is friendly.

Peace be with you.

reach-for-the-stars-flyer-revised

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Reach for the Stars Talent Contest

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December 29, 2016

reach-for-the-stars-flyerLittle Anthony asked me to be a judge for his Reach for the Stars Talent Contest. As you see in the picture of the flyer, the winner receives $500. Contrary to the flyer though, it will be held on Friday nights, not Tuesdays, but will still start at 8 p.m.

There will be 12 weeks of competition, 6 weeks of semi-finals, and a grand finale. Anyone who is interested and is over 21 should call 214-660-4799 to book a spot. There will be no drop-ins. The contest will be held at Harbor Point Club and Grill on Buckingham in Richardson. There are still spots open, so call to book a spot. Did I say the winner gets $500?

If you have been around Dallas a good while – particularly in music – you have heard of Little Anthony. Which would be Anthony Bellante, Jr. He played for years with his band around Dallas. He has taught kids to play a number of instruments and sing in his World Class Entertainers school and studio. He also has a CI-TV channel which will not only “broadcast” the talent contest, but also a few Christian shows. He also has a number of side businesses.

Anthony has held the talent contest for a number of years. It was affiliated with StarSearch in the 90’s. Leann Rimes got her start after being in the contest. It’s going to be fun, if nothing else. I’m looking forward to being a judge and performing. I don’t watch the talent contests on television, but it will be interesting to be involved in one and get to play.

So call and book a spot or put it on your calendar to come hear some good talent. Audience response is always a factor. Harbor Point has pool tables, dart boards, and shuffleboard tables to keep your hands busy while you listen to the music. Not to mention the food and drinks.

Keep writing the songs that are in your heart.

Peace be with you.

 

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