Posted on October 7, 2002 at 2:00 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A sold-out audience at the Alys Stephens Center selected vocal group Black and Myld as the winner of “Amateur Night at the Apollo” Saturday night at the Alys Stephens Center.

As the winner, Black and Myld will fly to New York for a shot at the big time, competing live on the legendary Apollo Stage. From there, they could go on to appear on the nationally televised show, “Showtime at the Apollo.” Black and Myld also won airfare to New York and $1,000 cash prize.

Black and Myld, comprised of Shanon Collins, 26; Leisa Collins, 27; and Christinay Bogan, 31, of Fairfield, performed “Tonight.”

Black and Myld competed against 12 other performers or performing groups. The audience decided who got props and who got the boot by voicing their opinions with “boos” or applause, and the performer with the loudest applause was judged the winner.

The 13 finalists were selected from more than 200 performing groups of all ages and talents during a grueling day of auditions Sept. 7. Judges from the Apollo Theatre selected the finalists, who performed Saturday night with the Apollo House Band. Sponsors for the event included Booker T. Washington Insurance Co., Dreamland, Alabama State Council on the Arts, KISS and JAMZ radio stations.

The legendary “Amateur Night” began at Harlem’s world famous Apollo Theatre in 1934, with Ella Fitzgerald as its winner. Past winners include Sarah Vaughn, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Tony Bennett, The Jackson Five and Lauryn Hill, to name a few.

For information about the Alys Stephens Center’s 2002-2003 season or to order tickets to a performance, go to www.alysstephens.org.