Meeting the members of a Grammy-winning band and watching them perform from your on-stage seat may sound like a fantasy. But for the winner of a local karaoke competition, this was her very real experience on Saturday night.
The “Live Like a Star” contest, sponsored by Big Mama’s Karaoke Café and radio station WYLV (Love 89.1 FM), was held in conjunction with Christian rock band Third Day’s sold out concert at Smokies stadium. The winning singer, a Maryvillian who bills herself as Emmy, wowed the crowd with her performance of “Get On.” The sole female out of ten contestants, Emmy received a substantial prize pack in addition to her “best seat in the house” concert experience. Also at stake was an eight-hour recording session at Big Mama’s studio, a karaoke machine, the entire Third Day CD and DVD library, and assorted gear from Chevrolet, one of the band’s 2003 corporate sponsors.
The first time an event like this has been held for Third Day, the competition provided a nice diversion for the fans that started lining up at 3:30 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. show. (Both stadium seating and field level were general admission.) Set up in the parking lot, the karaoke stage was part of Big Mama’s mobile rig that had just returned from Nashville’s Fan Fare, according to President Debi Stovall. Jonathan Thomas, director of events and promotions with Creative Trust, Third Day’s management company, had approached her with the contest idea.
“All of today’s contestants have been pre-qualified,” Stovall explained. “We held preliminary rounds at our cafe for the past two Thursdays where they were voted on by a panel of judges.” For Saturday’s final round, the singers were scored on vocals, stage presence, and audience response. The panel of judges included Wade Morris (Big Mama’s Karaoke Café), Jonathan Unthank (WYLV Love 89.1 FM), Sara Beth Holiday (Chevrolet), Tara Sanders (Third Day manager) and, to the crowd’s delight, Third Day members Tai Anderson and Mark Lee.
Several fans took the opportunity to get an autograph or have their picture taken with Anderson and Lee. Also spotted: drummer David Carr, who watched much of the competition from the sidelines. Obviously enjoying the chance to hear the singers and mingle with fans in a relaxed atmosphere, Carr was also still excited about the previous night. Strong supporters of Habitat for Humanity, Third Day held a benefit concert on Friday in Alabama. The event went well, according to Carr. “(President) Jimmy Carter was there. That was really cool,” he continued.
Good thing Emmy won the on-stage seating. The large turnout, estimated at 7,000 by Thomas, is no surprise for Third Day. Ranked twice last year in Pollstar’s “Top 100 Tours,” the band’s concerts draw more fans than pop stars like Alanis Morisette and Counting Crows. Now that’s living like a star.

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