Posted on 06/15/2012 7:00:51 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Winner of Hoboken's annual Sinatra Idol contest learned to speak again after accident by singing crooner's songs
In his third appearance in Hoboken's annual Sinatra Idol Contest last night, James Anthony, of Bristow, Va., was named the winner from among 15 contestants.
Anthony received a perfect score, 25, for "Blues in the Night," which earned him the crown of best Sinatra-style singer.
A Las Vegas native, Anthony worked in his teens as an usher at several Sinatra concerts at Caesar's Palace, but he never made the connection with Sinatra until a near-death experience seven years ago.
Anthony said he started listening to Sinatra's music after he was struck by lightning in 2005, which left him partially paralyzed and virtually unable to speak. Anthony listened to Sinatra music his parents gave him during the rehab process.
"I was driving back to Las Vegas and I was listening to him as I drove along," he said, "and it was then when I realized that I could sing in that range."
He kept his singing voice to himself until 2008. A record company drummer in his 20s, Anthony was more used to a behind-the-scenes role and wasn't ready for center stage until the first time he sang at a jazz club.
"I sang 'Witchcraft' and the entire place stopped and quieted," he said. "Someone came up to me after and told me, 'You're really good, and you really sound like him!' " His first appearance in the contest came in 2010. Anthony said he didn't finish that high because he was still uncertain about his singing.
He became sick before the 2011 contest and he withdrew after his voice cracked and went flat during his song.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
If his voice cracked and went flat that would have been even more authentic.
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