JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A lot has changed in the world over the past decade but one constant remains.
News4JAX is celebrating ten years of ‘Oh Say Can You Sing’ by having four of the top local singers compete for the biggest prize we’ve ever offered. And this year, there’s a twist.
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Four former competitors will once again take the stage to belt out their choice of song that was a Top 10 Billboard hit. This time, they are competing for the title of ‘Oh Say Can You Sing’ champion, the chance to sing the national anthem before the City of Jacksonville’s July 4 Fireworks Spectacular and $1,000.
News4JAX Audience Development Director Josh Beauchamp and Executive Producer of Sales Presentation, Tom Swider, have been the driving force behind nearly every aspect of the show’s previous episodes since the concept first debuted in 2014. “‘Oh Say Can You Sing’ was such a smash when it began as a part of our two-hour July 4 fireworks coverage, that we turned it into its own show in 2017. Singers from across the region and even some from as far as Tennessee wanted to audition,” Beauchamp said.
Even a global pandemic in 2020 could not stop the show. What had been a day-long open audition process turned into an online submission blitz that ended in a socially distanced, family-only finale.
The concept is simple: hold open auditions where hundreds of singers would perform for the camera before roughly 20 were called for a second performance. For the first three years, three singers were chosen to compete in a live TV sing-off before Channel 4 viewers voted via News4JAX.com and the News4JAX app to pick a winner. Year four saw an expansion to four finalists and the addition of on-site judges who would offer critiques after each performance before the viewing audience picked the winner.
Two of the judges, Lorna Greenwood and Deborah McDuffie, have pulled double duty by also coaching the finalists before their TV performances since 2017.
Swider, who undertook the massive role of organizing auditions, callbacks, and personally handling the finalists and judges/coaches said, “Working on this show the past 10 years has been an extraordinary experience. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the most talented music minds Jacksonville has to offer, with Deborah McDuffie, Lorna Greenwood, and Lisa Kelly to help choose and mold these singers each season. It has been a privilege to work with so many talented performers and have a platform to showcase all the talent this area has to offer.”
The tenth edition of ‘Oh Say Can You Sing’ will air live on WJXT-Channel 4 on Thursday, June 29 at 8 p.m. Viewers and audience members can vote for their favorite performer at News4JAX.com and the News4JAX App.
Meet your 2023 Finalists:
David James (Click name to watch video profile)
- 3rd place in Season 4
- ‘Oh Say’ was his first competition after performing in church, weddings and clubs
- Performed ‘So High’ by John Legend
- 2023: Will sing ‘I’d Rather’ by Luther Vandrose
Zoe Bell Pruitt (Click name to watch video profile)
- 3rd place in Season 5
- Performed ‘Maybe This Time’ by Liza Minnelli
- 2023: Will sing ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys
Nayana Sen (Click name to watch video profile)
- 4th place in Season 6
- Performed ‘God Bless the USA’ by Lee Greenwood
- Very first online audition to perform on show
- Will sing ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (Amy Winehouse)
Brittany Wescott (Click name to watch video profile)
- From Callahan
- Runner-up on Season 1 with the closest vote ever, 41-40%
- Performed ‘God Bless the USA’ by Lee Greenwood
- 2023: Will sing ‘Proud Mary’ by Tina Turner
Past ‘Oh Say Can You Sing’ Winners:
- 2014 Justen Harden
- 2015 Cassidy Kinsman
- 2016 Jonathon Brooks
- 2017 Veronica Fuata
- 2018 Lauren Pesquesa
- 2019 Amara Powell
- 2020 Karim Zabaneh
- 2021 Antwione Overby
- 2022 Clifton Daniels