Vying to be the next ‘Idol'

AUGUSTA — Sussex County hopefuls vied for the spot as Sussex County Idol at the fairgrounds on Sunday. In American Idol style, 20 contestants competed throughout the afternoon with judging by three judges. Annie Connor, who has worked in entertainment for over 20 years as a freelance teacher, actress, model, producer and owner of the Actor’s Loft in Vernon served as a judge as did Tom Tate, manager of marketing and member services for Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative in Sussex. The third judge was guitarist Jeff Crimando, a music teacher who has performed with the bands Tapestry, Premonition, KrackerJax and Captains of Leisure. Jim Furgeson, vice president of marketing and business development for Newton Memorial Hospital, who MC’d the event in Ryan Seacrest style, talked with the contestants before and after their performances. Marie Berckes of Andover Township was chosen as 2009’s Sussex County Idol. She performed the American Idol debut winner Kelly Clarkson’s 2007 hit “Never Again.” Berckes is a nursing school student, and has occasionally DJ’d and led karaoke with her mother, Cat Chez (aka Karaoke Cat). Along with her new title, she snagged a trophy, cash prize and two hours of recording time.