LIBERTY— Liberty Idol has been a big hit for the past few years, but now it has influenced other towns and communities to start up their own idol competition. Steve Manning of Albany, New York contacted Roy Costner over a year ago after seeing Liberty Idol on television. He wanted to try to reproduce Liberty Idol but in Albany.

Roy Costner told him, “Liberty Idol is about giving back to the community. You should keep it free to enter and free to watch. It is important to keep it family oriented. It is for anyone very young to anyone very old. It is like a big family reunion. It is something that people really look forward to.”

Costner sent Manning all of his information, newsletters, and ballots to help him get started in Albany. The Albany event final will be at the end of 2010. They are sponsored by Phillip Morris who has given them 25 million dollars to recreate Liberty Idol. Manning has asked Costner and his wife to fly out for their finale.

“When I talked to Steve, he was impressed with the attitude and the way the competition was designed. It is not just a singing competition. It is because it doesn’t cost anything to enter, and it is something that the whole community comes out for. It makes people feel good about where they live,” said Costner.

Liberty Idol will have a new stage this year. The stage will be used for other events in Liberty like the Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday. The town of around 3,000 people raised enough money to buy the stage that will be used for many community events.

Liberty Idol will start up again April 25. It will go on for 13 weeks. The first four weeks will be the first round. Anyone who wants to audition should go to the Rosewood Center at noon on one of the first four weeks. The judges decide who will make it into the top 64.

“I am hoping that since July 4th falls on a Saturday, we will have some extra things planned for that day. We have some great guest judges this year. We are colliding with the Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas. They really support the event. They did a great job helping last year.”

This year, there will also be a Liberty Idol golf tournament on July 17th. This is the Friday before the final day of the competition. The money earned will help support the fundraising efforts.

There are several new sponsors this year. One of the sponsors will do a makeover during one of the shows. They will reveal the audience members new makeover at the end of the show. Also, there will be ice creations on Saturday for everyone to enjoy.

Roy Costner and the town of Liberty hopes to see everyone out at Liberty Idol on April 25, 2005.