An Idol of their own

Clad in a kilt and sporran, Scottish bagpiper Andrew Scott was the first to audition for Surf City Nights Idol.

The Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District Organization teamed up with the Costa Mesa-based Music Factory for the new competition, held Tuesday nights during the popular street fair on Main Street; the first auditions were this week.

Scott, a Huntington Beach resident, chose to sing “The Parting Glass,” a nearly 300-year-old Scottish drinking song.

He was soon followed by Les Draper, the owner of Smokin’ Mo’s BBQ on Main Street.

Draper attempted several songs, flubbing some of the lyrics, before choosing the Police’s “Message in a Bottle.”

He performed while his friends cheered him on, as Music Factory co-owner Danny Thompson wrote down his notes and a score.

Draper sings karaoke, but hasn’t performed in public much, he said.

“I’m great in the shower and in the car, with the windows closed,” he quipped.

Draper had darted out of his packed restaurant, still in a red apron, to perform in the competition.

Afterward, he returned to take orders and chat with regulars.

He may be facing some stiff competition, if the event organizers have their way; they’ve begun a marketing campaign that reaches into schools, the Internet and even local grocery stores.

Unsigned singers are invited to compete for the chance to win a prize package that includes voice lessons, a guitar and amp package from the Huntington Beach Rock and Roll Emporium, and $500 cash from the Business Improvement District.

“It’s a good win-win partnership,” district Executive Director Connie Pedenko said.

If asked to croon in a future competition, Draper will perform karaoke-style on a main stage against other top-scoring singers.

The final competitors will perform onstage with a band in September.

When singers arrive at the Music Factory booth during audition nights, they fill out an application and make a suggested $5 donation to Surf City Nights.

They then perform a capella and are scored by Thompson or members of his team of judges.

Thompson promises he won’t act like infamous “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell in his judging; instead, scores are kept confidential until the highest levels of competition.

“We’re definitely going to comment, but no one’s going to be mean,” he said.

Singers are divided into two age groups, 11 to 17 and 18-and-up.

Five singers from each group will be asked to come back and perform karaoke-style on a stage during monthly competitions on the last Tuesday of each month.

The winners from each monthly competition will go on to the “grand finale,” where the Surf City Nights Idol will be chosen.

In addition to the prize package, the overall winner will have the opportunity to launch his or her career with a recording and production package from the Music Factory, which also will lend professional expertise.

“We conceived this competition to bring a new dimension to Surf City Nights, by giving undiscovered local talent the opportunity to take center stage,” Pedenko said. “There are an awful lot of talented kids, and they don’t get to be heard.”

The weekly street fair was launched in March 2007; each Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m., Main Street is closed to automobiles, and vendors, musicians and street performers create a popular hotspot for singles and families.

The Music Factory, which opened about two years ago, is staffed with instructors with practical, firsthand experience in the music industry.

Thompson himself is a drummer with two signed, touring bands.

“We are a full-service music school,” Thompson said. “When our instructors are not out performing on the road, they come back here and teach.”

In addition to basic instrument technique, the school teaches formal University of California-approved musical theory, songwriting and master classes for voice and a wide range of instruments.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Surf City Nights Idol singing competition

WHEN: Auditions: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 1 and 8, and Aug. 5 and 12. Competitions: 7 p.m. June 24, July 29 and Aug. 26. Grand Finale: 6 p.m. Sept. 9.

WHERE: Main Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue. Auditions are at the Music Factory booth; competitions will be on a main stage.

COST: $5 suggested donation to enter; free to watch

INFORMATION: The Music Factory, (949) 574-2187, or hbdowntown.com

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at [email protected].