Local Finalists Selected for Alys Stephens Center's "Amateur Night at the Apollo"

Thirteen local performers were chosen today by judges as finalists for the upcoming “Amateur Night at the Apollo” at the Alys Stephens Center.

Posted on September 9, 2002 at 9:41 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Thirteen local performers were chosen today by judges as finalists for the upcoming “Amateur Night at the Apollo” at the Alys Stephens Center.

The 12 finalists were selected from more than 200 performing groups of all ages and talents during a grueling day of auditions. Judges from the Apollo Theatre selected the winners, who will compete October 5 on the Alys Stephens Center stage, performing with the Apollo House Band. The audience will decide who gets props and who gets the boot by voicing their opinions with “boos” or applause. The winner will receive $1,000, plane tickets to New York and a guaranteed shot at the big time, competing onstage at the Apollo Theatre in New York.

The winners are:

  • Billy McCoy, 39, Birmingham, a cappella vocalist; performed “Stout-Hearted Man.”

  • MMTwinz. Members are Michelle and Melanie Welsh, both 20, Pinson; tap dancers.

  • Christopher Blackmon, 30, Birmingham, stand-up comedian.

  • Cindy Williams, 48, Birmingham, comedian.

  • Jahl’wa (pronounced "jah way") Jazz band. Members are: Anthony Jones, 18; Herbert Williams, 13; Alexander Gary, 20; and William Brown, 19, all of Birmingham; performed “A Woman’s Worth.”

  • A Capella Praise. Members are Lynduel Rose, 19; Essience Foster, 21; Jillian Gray, 22; Tonya Molette, 24; and Tina Molette, 24; a cappella vocalists; performed “Blessed Assurance.”

  • Rachael Mann, 19, Hoover, vocalist; performed “Stand Up,” an original song she co-wrote.

  • Kaylen Moyers, 12, Birmingham, singer; performed “Ease On Down the Road.”

  • Black and Myld. Members are Shanon Collins, 26; Leisa Collins, 27; and Christinay Bogan, 31, Fairfield; R&B vocalists; performed “Tonight.”

  • Cassandra Sullivan, 36, Anniston, vocalist; performed “I Believe in You and Me.”

  • Roszetta Johnson, no age given, Birmingham, country gospel singer; name of selection not available.

  • Melissa Sanders, 23, Birmingham, gospel singer; performed “Oh the Glory.”

  • Ingrid S. Richardson, 40, Birmingham, a cappella singer; performed “The Man That Got Away.”

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.

“Amateur Night at the Apollo” kicks off the Alys Stephens Center’s new 2002-2003 season of performances. The show, part of the Young Patrons Series, begins at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 5, in the center’s Jemison Concert Hall, 1200 10th Avenue South. Tickets are $42, $32 and $22. Call (205) 975-2787 for ticket information.

For complete information about “Amateur Night,” log on to www.alysstephens.org.

Information about the new performance season also is available.