‘American Idol’ party tonight to watch Gravette’s Patrick Hall
Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006
GRAVETTE - For the second straight week, Patrick Hall's loyal fans will gather at the Gravette Towne Centre to watch big-screen TVs as the "American Idol"contender learns whether he moves to the next round of competition.
Hall and the 11 other male Idol contestants performed for judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson on Wednesday night. The dozen female contestants performed Tuesday. The watch party is tonight because that's when voting by American television viewers will be revealed. "I've always been one of his biggest fans,"said Janet Hendren of Bentonville. "Faye, Patrick's mother, and I were good, good friends. Our children were close to the same age, and I've been able to watch Patrick's musicianship develop. Faye died several years ago, but my family and I have stayed close to Patrick and his family.
"We're so proud of him. He and my daughter, Janell, sang together at different venues for more than a year and a half. It was always fun to watch them perform, and now we're definitely cheering for Patrick as a contestant on the show. He would be such a great American Idol. "
Ron Teasley, longtime pharmacist and owner of Teasley Drug Store in Gravette, said he's known Hall more than 20 years.
"Patrick is one of the nicest young men you could meet," Teasley said."He works hard in the community to improve the buildings and make Gravette the best place it can be. He's a mover and shaker around here, and he's very, very musically talented. I think his chances at being the next Idol are great. He would be a wonderful American Idol. "
Rodger Terrell, director of Gravette city services, has helped organize the second watch party for Hall. The first was held last week, when attendees learned that Hall made the first cut. There are currently 24 remaining Idol hopefuls - 12 women and 12 men.
"This party," Terrell explained,"will be Thursday night. It will be in the Gravette Towne Centre, and the doors will open at 6 p.m. 'American Idol' will start at 7 p.m., and it's a two-hour show that night. We'll see if Patrick moves on to the next level. Two men and two women competitors will be eliminated Thursday when the results of the voting are revealed. All of us, of course, will be cheering for Patrick. Everybody is invited. We had a lot of fun last week and we're looking forward to another great watch party. "
Arvest Bank Gravette will provide hot dogs, soft drinks and popcorn for the watch party. Jim Singleton, president of Arvest Gravette, said there will be plenty of food.
"We'll have our big cooker and start serving hot dogs about 6 p.m.," he said."There will be food for people who want to eat early and then on through when the show is on. We're doing that so that folks don't have to go home to eat if they don't want to. They can just come right on and eat with us. It'll be fun."
Towne Centre is at 109 Main St. S. E. in downtown Gravette.
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