| Local Content |
| Written by Robin |
| Wednesday, 23 July 2008 08:41 |
|
By Tony Clarke Sun Times The Theo Tams you see on TV is the same guy you’d meet in person. That’s how the Canadian Idol standout’s close friend Melissa Reimchen describes the 22-year-old Coaldale native and University of Lethbridge student, who is wowing judges and fans with his show-stopping performances each week on the popular CTV singing talent showcase. Heading into the July 21 performance show, the man who looks to Mother Teresa as a role model in his life, was in the top nine. “He comes across on TV the same way I see him in person, which I think not everybody has the ability to do. He is able to put aside all of the media attention, the pressure, and continue to be the same person he always is. It is truly remarkable.” Reimchen has been a close friend of Tams for four years, with both students pursuing a double major in music and psychology at the U of L. While she gets a lump in her throat every time she sees Tams singing on the national stage, having witnessed him gather so much fame so quickly took a little getting used to, she admits. “At first it was such a weird concept that I could go on the Internet and watch him on YouTube, or Google his name and read so many stories about him,” said the 21-year-old. But like others who are close to Tams, along with his newfound fans, she is excited to see the doe-eyed darling showcase his musical talent to the country. “He is such a sincere person and I’m so glad Canada is getting a chance to know him, see him, and that his music is being exposed.” Tams’ earlier performances of Howie Day’s “Collide,” “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat and “Silly Boy Blue” by David Bowie have led to weekly praises from all four Idol judges. During the July 14 performance show, judge Farley Flex told Tams he is “without question . . . the most well-rounded performer we’ve ever had on the show in terms of your musicianship and your understanding of how to interpret a song and you deliver it with such comfort, man. I don’t know if anybody told you but you’re a really good singer.” This praise, combined with a growing fan base, had the musically gifted southern Albertan in the final eight contestants of the competition heading into the July 28 performance show. You don’t have to look any further than the group “Theo Tams For Canadian Idol!” on the popular social networking website Facebook to see he is gaining momentum as each week passes in the competition. The group started by Reimchen has nearly 1,700 members from across Canada. It features hundreds of positive comments about Tams’ performances, with one fan stating Tams should be Canada’s next prime minister. “I’m not surprised at all by his success because I believe in his talent 100 per cent,” says Reimchen, noting Tams has remained humble while receiving plenty of praise from media, judges, producers, fans, family and friends. Reimchen has travelled to Toronto twice to support her best friend since he made the Canadian Idol top 24 list of contestants earlier this month. Watching him try to sing his way to a Canadian Idol crown isn’t the first time she has seen Tams try something different to enhance his personal development. On his own will, he volunteered at an orphanage in India with a couple of his friends in 2006 from August to mid-December. There he taught children a bit of math, English and some music. He also helped with cooking meals and gathering daily supplies for families. “I think Theo just needed to do this for his own growth of a person and to explore the world because it’s the type of person he is. He is such an inspirational person and I have grown so much confidence in myself through my friendship with him.” George Evelyn, who taught Tams prior to retiring from his post as a professor of music at the University of Lethbridge, says Tams exudes talent. Tams studied under Evelyn in the Bachelor of Music program at the University of Lethbridge from 2004-2007, where he was taught the technical aspects of voice and conducting. Around this time, Tams was also a baritone with the University of Lethbridge Singers, a local singing group which Evelyn is the founding conductor. “My first impression of him was I immediately knew I had a student with a tremendous amount of potential. He’s a very personable young man, he has a great sense of humour and is just so pleasing to be around.” It’s been these personal qualities of Tams, combined with his well-trained voice, stage presence and ability to play instruments, such as the piano and guitar, that is turning heads and opening ears. “I would think one of the reasons he is doing so well on Canadian Idol is because of his classical music background and the training that comes with it. He has worked at the technical aspect of the voice and isn’t just singing songs all of the time.” Idol fans may recall another Idol contestant who holds a classical music background. Curly-haired heartthrob Kalan Porter from Medicine Hat, who won the 2004 Canadian Idol crown, studied as a classical musician, both in voice and as a violin and viola student at the Royal Conservatory of Music. To help Tams continue his quest, fans needed to have their telephones at hand and dialing fingers ready. Each competitor is assigned his or her own toll-free number that will be announced during the performance show each Monday at 8 p.m. on CFCN (Shaw Cable channel 3). After the episode ends, viewers can start dialing their support for Tams for two hours. Tuesday night’s results show saw Katherine St-Laurent eliminated from the competition. The CTV program revealed the 17-year-old Otterburn Park, Que., student, who performed ”Move Over” by Janis Joplin the previous night, received the fewest number of some 2.1 million votes cast this week. That leaves Amberly Thiessen, 19, of Seven Persons, as the lone female competitor remaining. One singer will be eliminated each week until the winner is chosen in September. |
Polls
Please Login
| Cheap shot on Crosby uncalled for 26/05/2010 | Dave Sulz Tweeeeet! Two minutes for cross-checking, two minutes for slashing and five minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. |
| Start the long weekend early with live acts mid-week 28/07/2010 | Richard Amery for the Sun Times It is a great week for music leading up to the August long weekend. |
