Citation :Local News: Rockford
Paris to release Christmas album
By Edith C. Webster
ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
ROCKFORD — Fans who rushed out for tickets and lined up early for Paris Bennett’s homecoming got more than promised from her appearance Saturday at the Coronado Theatre.
The “American Idol” finalist sang more than organizers publicized she would, danced more than she sang, and broke some good news in a question-and-answer session.
Shirley and Perry Bennett enjoy the appearance of their great-granddaughter, Paris Bennett, Saturday at the Coronado Theatre in Rockford.
“I’ll be coming out with a jazz Christmas album,” said the 17-year-old Rockford native, who first wowed “American Idol” judges, critics and a national TV audience in February, when she nailed the jazz standard “Take Five.”
The crowd of more than 2,000 broke out in applause about the pending release. They were even more excited when she said she’d welcome an invitation to sing at On The Waterfront.
“I sure would,” she said. “That would be a lot of fun.”
Mayor Larry Morrissey, whose office of Tourism, Culture & Special Events helped coordinate Saturday’s appearance, read a proclamation for “Paris Bennett Day.”
Morrissey praised Bennett and her rise to the top five on the hit reality show, calling her an inspiration and “one of Rockford’s great treasures.”
“I don’t think there’s a person from Rockford who represents excellence better than this young lady,” Morrissey said, referring to a campaign theme.
Mark Chambers of Cherry Valley shuttled his six children and another to see the hometown girl they had followed all season long on “American Idol.”
“They loved it,” he said.
Cooky Wagner, whose husband is a Bennett family physician, followed Paris on the show, too. At a fan meet-and-greet after Paris’ public appearance, she grabbed Jamecia Bennett, Paris’ mother, to talk about an episode when rock icon Rod Stewart was the celebrity coach.
“I told her that I couldn’t believe when Rod Stewart was telling Paris how to sing,” Wagner said. “She’s 5,000 times better than he is.”
Takiya Walker, 9, of Rockford, like many of the young girls who made up the majority of the audience, was among the 30 million viewers watching Bennett on each episode. “Every Tuesday, every Wednesday,” she said.
Seeing Bennett in person was special, Takiya said.
“She’s cute, she’s pretty, and she’s my inspiration,” she said after Bennett’s appearance. “I’m glad I saw her today.”
The hourlong Coronado event was more party than concert, more “thank you” than “welcome home.”
Fans screamed, applauded and even cried for Bennett.
“We love you, Paris!” they kept yelling from the balcony of the downtown theater.
“I love you, too!” Bennett would answer, thanking the crowd again and again for supporting her quest to take the “Idol” title. “I couldn’t have asked for any better support from my hometown.”
Because of contractual obligations to the reality show, she was not allowed to do a concert. She did, however, perform “The Way We Were” and an a cappella snippet of “Take Five.”
That meant she also spent more time dancing than singing. Not only did she dance for the audience, she taught them to do her favorite “American Idol” move — a deep, side-to-side rock and finger snap, punctuated with “Hey!”
She invited three lucky kids up to compete in an on-stage dance competition, and she went into the seats for up-close dancing with audience members.
More proof that the Rockford girl now famous for her singing also enjoys dancing: When a fan asked which song she most enjoyed performing during her quest for the “Idol” title, she said it was her cover of the Beyoncé song “Work it Out,” because it gave her the chance to dance.
“Thank you, Rockford, for letting me dance,” Bennett said, after working it out like only a confident, 17-year-old girl can.
Dressed in jeans, a black sleeveless Baby Phat shirt and high-heeled white boots, Bennett shared with the audience behind-the-scenes happenings at “American Idol,” such as the competition not being as stressful as people might imagine.
“You have fun every minute of every day. You get free stuff. You meet a lot of legendary people that you never thought you’d meet.”
How does she feel about how “American Idol” ended, with L.A. glamour girl Katharine McPhee losing to Alabama soul man Taylor Hicks? Bennett expressed her love for the man she calls “Tay-Tay” by referring to his legion of fans.
“All I can say is ... Soul Patrol!”
Staff writer Edith C. Webster can be reached at 815-987-1394 or ewebster@rrstar.com.
Top 3 moments with Paris
More than 2,000 fans packed the Coronado for “Welcome Home, Paris Bennett.” A few of our favorite moments:
Three loudest moments of applause, besides when she sang or danced
1. When she got on the stage, wearing jeans, a sleeveless, black Baby Phat blouse and white boots, waving and smiling.
2. When Mayor Larry Morrissey proclaimed the occasion “Paris Bennett Day.”
3. When asked whether she would perform at On The Waterfront, if invited. “I sure would. That would be a lot of fun.”
Three behind-the-scenes secrets she revealed
1. “Yes, I got to keep all the clothes, the shoes, the jewelry.”
2. She had lots of fun with the other contestants, for example listening to country boy Bucky Covington crack jokes and teaching country girl Kellie Pickler to dance.
3. She met funk master Prince, who performed on the show’s finale, and he approved of her cover of “Kiss.” “He thanked me for doing his song.”
Melissa Blake, 12, of Rockford puts the dance moves on stage in front of Paris Bennett during Bennett's visit back to Rockford Saturday at the Cornando Theatre.
source:
http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art ... /1004/NEWS
--Message edité par felix le 2006-05-28 20:52:21--