Audience Triumphs At Aqua Idol

Fiona Molloy’s sensational final song carried her to victory as the crowd’s favorite singer, out of the 15 who started this year’s Aqua Idol karaoke contest benefiting the Waterfront Playhouse. But the big winners were the 251 fans—I counted them—packed into the Aqua Nightclub on Duval for the Grand Finale March 23rd. It is surely the hottest non-ticket in town. You can actually watch for free, but the  elated audience contributed an average of $26 apiece with their “votes” for their favorite singers that night alone.

The Waterfront Playhouse won big too. Before the $6,500 for the finale, contributions in previous weeks added up to another $17,500. Best of all, from the singers’ point of view, the four finalists split over $35,000 in cash and prizes.

Fiona is a lifelong professional musician who has, OMG, sung twice at Yankee Stadium. She was one of the many pros there who really don’t do karaoke, but play their guitar and sing from memory. But when I asked her right after winning how she felt, she said, “It hasn’t gone in my head yet. I really didn’t expect this. I knew I was up against some really tough, talented people  tonight. But I felt I went all-out, did all my fund-raising, phone calls, my Facebook.  I was just glad to be up here, and whatever happens, happens.” She played it week by week, from big production numbers with guys marching with their Ugly Sticks, to full back-up choirs. The last week, she corrected her backup track just the day before the finale, an inspired “I Dreamed a Dream,” the song that made Susan Boyle famous. It worked for Fiona too.

Lynda Frechette is the driving force for the event, though she credits Aqua for starting it all. “I find singers that no one knows, untouched talent, like Destiny, singing karaoke in the Monkey bar.” In second place, Destiny Montgomery had no professional background, the opposite of Fiona. “I’m so proud to be second to Fiona. It was an amazingly fun experience. I got unbelievable support from the people I work with at Sloppy Joe’s. I can see this opening doors so I can do it again. JodyRae asked me to sing at a benefit for Samuel’s House at La Te Da on April 10th, and I’m so excited!”

Jodyrae Campbell won Idol twice before they banned her from taking the prizes anymore. Passing what she got on to Destiny. If you were one of the 19,749 Key Westers NOT there, don’t miss it next year.

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