Hall is Gravette’s ‘Idol’
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006
BENTONVILLE - For the second year in a row, a Benton County resident is set to charm the nation at the "American Idol"finals in Hollywood.
According to MTV. com," American Idol"judge Paula Abdul told People Magazine that the upcoming fifth season of the TV show may be the strongest yet. "The one girls are gonna fall in love with is Ace,"she said. "Man, oh, man, girls are going to fall in love with him. And a guy named Patrick, too. They both have great voices."
The Patrick that Abdul referred to is Gravette's own resident Patrick Hall.
Hall, 27, will compete for the final 24 spots on this year's competition. The top 24 semifinalists -12 males and 12 females - will be announced during the Feb. 15 episode. Then it will be up to America's vote to decide who stays in the competition.
Hall's fellow Gravette residents will host a watch party Wednesday at the Gravette Towne Centre with giant TVs and plenty of hometown enthusiasm, said Rodger Terrell, director of city services. "We just know, or we assume, that he will be on Wednesday night,"Terrell said. "We're going to try to do it once a week as long as he's still in it. Hopefully he'll go far. He's getting a lot of attention right now, both local and national."
Hall was one of 125 contestants selected from nationwide auditions who appeared in the Hollywood competitions before judges Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.
Following Hall's brief performance, which was televised on the top-rated Fox show, Jackson told the artist," I like your voice."Cowell said," You're likable."From Abdul: "You're very gifted."
Following his selection, Hall expressed his excitement on camera. "I'm happy,"he said. "It's great. I'm so excited."
He graduated early from Gravette High School in 1995. He is the son of Dr. Billy V. Hall and the late Faye Hall.
Because of contractual commitments, Hall is not able to comment on the show or his performances.
Last year, Brock Short of Bella Vista made it all the way to Hollywood on the talent show but was cut before the final round.
The Gravette News Herald contributed to this story.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 15
Gravette Towne Centre, 109 Main St. S. E.
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