Frogtard found this article that says auditions for season 7 start in February.

And the winner is ...

Raylene Ghostkeeper wins officially but all three are going to Canadian Idol auditions

Posted By Brigette Jobin

Posted 7 days ago

After a group huddle on stage with band members from Joe Public, Mayor Trevor Thain announced that the first Whitecourt Idol was 22-year-old Raylene Ghostkeeper.

Her smile grew from ear to ear.

Then Thain announced that since it was a hard decision to make and the talent of the top three in the competition was so good, all three of the top contestants would get an all-expenses paid trip to the next Canadian Idol audition.

Then there were three big smiles on stage.

With nearly 20 contestants to whittle down to three, the judges had a tough job Saturday afternoon. Each of the contestants had a chance to take their talent to the big stage. At the end, only three were asked back to compete again on Sunday before the main Party in the Park bands ? the Irish Descendents and Streetheart ? hit the stage.

The three Whitecourt Idols, who had to be between the ages of 16 and 28, each sang two songs. Using the crowd's applause as a meter of enjoyment, the judges listened to the loud screams to try and determine the winner.

Ghostkeeper said afterwards that she really didn't know if she would win.

"We have a lot of talented people in Whitecourt," she said.

Born and raised in Whitecourt, Ghostkeeper said she started singing when she was three years old after her dad taught her a Fleetwood Mac song, to which she now forgets the name.

If it wasn't her family, she probably wouldn't have competed in the Whitecourt Idol competition. Upon the urging of her parents and friends, she entered the competition.

Ghostkeeper said she felt nervous to get on stage in front of so many people, but after a few minutes the nerves melted away and she just had fun.

Her song choice often has a theme of what she is going through in her life.

"I go with what I feel at the moment," she said about the songs she chooses. "A lot of times I pick a song that reflects what I am going through."

From what she's heard the Canadian Idol auditions will start in February. Ghostkeeper said she'd love to win Canadian Idol but realizes there is a lot of great talent in the country. That competition is months away and for now, Ghostkeeper is feeling excited about her latest win.

She said she is happy Whitecourt Idol was held because it brought local talent together, making the musical community in Whitecourt, that much stronger.

"It gives you a good opportunity," she said of the chance to sing in front of local residents. "Now I'm known in town and the area."

Alyssa Wheeler, 17, is no stranger to the stage. Competing in Whitecourt Idol was one more singing contest she could add to a list of others. However, she said it has been a while before she stood in front of an audience to share her talent.

"It's been almost two years since I sang the last time," she said, admitting her mother signed her up for the Idol competition.

"I picked my song last minute so I was really surprised I got picked (for the top three)," said Wheeler, a Hilltop High School student.

Wheeler said she sang on the family stage at Big Valley Jamboree a few years ago and competed in a CFCW Radio competition in Edmonton. She also competed in the North Country competition that used to be held at the Legion in Whitecourt.

Meanwhile, Ceanna Gerber, 19, has already competed before the Canadian Idol judges. Three years ago she was advanced through two rounds at the competition before the judges told her she wouldn't go further.

"They told me I was too young," said Gerber.

Singing all her life in church, Gerber is excited to have been able to compete on a local level and go back before the Canadian Idol judges.

"It'll give me a chance to go somewhere," she said. Gerber said she was a little disappointed she didn't win but agreed with the crowd.

"I think Raylene deserved to win," she said. "She's awesome."

Article ID# 1735388

all three of the top contestants would get an all-expenses paid trip to the next Canadian Idol audition.

jessica sheppards mom

So please don't think that I have time to search for information on Canadian Idol. I have better things to focus on.

Raylene Ghostkeeper