See who won Morristown Onstage
MORRISTOWN – The crowd was electric for the annual Morristown Onstage competition at the Mayor Performing Arts Center, with 15 different acts giving it their all and a few rising above the rest of the talented pack.
The $500 audience award went to Truly Brave, Carly Nicolai, 12, and Peyton Wild, 11, who had vocal support from friends and family in the crowd.
“It’s good to know you’ve got people out there cheering for you,” Wild said. “This is awesome.”
The pair of Frelinghuysen Middle School students sang the song “Truly Brave,” a collaboration between Sara Bareilles's “Brave” and Cyndi Lauper's “True Colors.”
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“I’m smiling so much my mouth hurts,” Nicolai said.
The judges appeared to prefer acoustic guitar Wednesday evening judging by the two winners they selected.
For the 18 and under category, Leah Humphrey delivered an emotional rendition of The Lumineers’ “Slow it Down.”
"It feels amazing, I’m so overwhelmed,” said Humphrey, 16, of Morris Plains. “This means the world to me. I’m so happy and it feels all my hard work has paid off.”
Humphrey dedicated the song to her father, who passed away two years ago in a car crash.
For the 19 and over group, seasoned veteran James Gedeon got the nod for his skillful performance of James Taylor’s “Shower the People.”
“I was really not expecting this,” said Gedeon, 51, of New Vernon. “I’m flattered, humble, and grateful.”
Gedeon said the $1,000 prize will go toward his daughter’s college fund, and he will continue to perform in Morristown.
In a surprise announcement a fourth award, a music scholarship, was presented to Molly McDermott, who belted out Barbara Streisand’s Broadway classic, “Don’t Rain on My Parade.”
Check DailyRecord.com Thursday for much more on Morristown Onstage.
Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com