I was scared for Sarah Loverock Tuesday night. If you watched her for the first time on Canadian Idol on Monday, like my mother did after much prompting, please don't take that performance as an indication of what she is capable of.
I was actually a bit disappointed myself. She started the song in much too low a key, so we couldn't hear her powerful, soulful voice above the band. The chorus got better but I think Nelly Furtado's coaching this week was a bit detrimental for the local Gibsons girl. Furtado told Loverock to make "Life is a Highway" into a song to show off her sex appeal. Bad advice. I've danced to that song umpteen times since my youth and I remember lots of hooting and hollering and screaming out the lyrics, but not one sexy dancer or sexual innuendo, which is basically what Furtado was prompting Loverock to do. So to me, Loverock seemed uncomfortable, and having to start off the first live Top 10 show was a bit much. She had been first just two weeks before and I can only imagine the pressure of kicking off Monday night's show. Still, she was a trooper and belted out the second half of her song, even ending with a kick on stage that gained her some props from long time critic Zack Werner. I really think he has some issues. The man can't seem to form a coherent sentence and he gave a glowing critique of what many have said was Loverock's worst performance yet.
That said, I know Loverock deserves to be in the final few. She truly has star power, and when she's relaxed on stage can bring a crowd to their feet.
On Tuesday night, Loverock was the last person to find out if she was safe from elimination or in the bottom three. She looked like she might get sick from the stress. When host Ben Mulroney told Loverock and Kati Durst they would find out which one of them was in the bottom three "after the break," Loverock mouthed something quite distinct that I won't repeat here, but I thought it was hilarious.
Long story short, Loverock was safe this week and will live to compete again next Monday night at 8 p.m. on CTV. That's why I'm writing this column. As long as Loverock is still performing, we have to vote! The show is bigger now and the phone lines even busier. I know - I tried 22 times to get through Monday night. There are those of you who say you watch the show but never pick up the phone to cast a vote for your favourite. I understand. I was the same way last year, but last year we didn't have a homegrown super star on stage to vote for! If Loverock makes it, even to the final four, think of the benefits for the Coast. We are a community filled with artisans, singers and songwriters who would love to market the Coast through their talent. Having a Canadian Idol to add to the Coast's repertoire could only enhance those marketing capabilities. And think about the possibility of Loverock doing a show locally after the competition. It would bring fans from all over B.C., and maybe some hardcore ones from farther away to our shoreline. And the interviews Loverock will do with TV stations and papers larger than our own will give Gibsons, and the entire Coast, Canada-wide exposure.
Think of Loverock in the final two with a live feed from El-phin-stone Secondary School of a standing-room only gym full of fans cheering her on, maybe an interview with the mayor, who I'm sure would plug our piece of paradise. A vote for Loverock is a vote for the Coast.
