Local woman to perform in American Royal talent show

Sunday, October 19, 2003

Kylene Marchiano, former resident of Nevada, has been chosen along with six other contestants for the American Royal Superstar singing competition. Kylene started out as one of 200 contestants ages 16-24 years old who submitted tapes for review. Entries were from as far away as Nashville and New York. The contest's four judges then narrowed the entrants down to 80 contestants from which the final 7 were chosen. Marchiano is the wife of Nick Marchiano and mom to Sadie, their 1-year-old daughter. The Marchianos now reside in Hume. Marchiano is the daughter of Stephen and Jeanette Zinn and daughter-in-law of Carrie and Jeff Hewitt, all residents of Nevada. Pending negotiations with local television suppliers, the show will air on KMBC-TV on Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m., when all seven finalists will be singing a song for the viewers at home to view and then viewers will be able to vote on-line at www.american-royal.com. The seven finalists will be performing nightly before live audiences and record executives, Oct. 27 thru Nov., also at 6:30, at the American Royal Marketplace. Both audience and judges will cast their votes for their favorite performer nightly. Each night the seven contestants will alternate songs from different categories including pop, rock, rhythm and blues, country, Broadway, gospel and a song of the the singers choice. Marchiano said each will sing one selection each night. On Nov. 1, the final evening, all votes will be tallied from on-line, live audiences, and judges. The performer with the most points will be announced as the winner. The winner will then be spotlighted in a performance Nov. 1 for the American Royal rodeo finals at Kemper Arena. Information concerning the American Royal's Superstar contest and other events can be viewed at www.american-royal.com. Marchiano said she has been performing since she was about 12 years old. "I sang at Rich Hill and The Cass County Opry. Mom and dad always had the radio on, listening to oldies, the Everly brothers, things like that. So I always had an appreciation for music." Marchiano likes to sing music in many different genre, but admits she probably likes the blues. She said the American Royal event is the biggest event she's performed in to date, and she excited about the prospect. "I think it's going to be fun." She competed in the Colgate Country Showdown during Bushwhacker Days in 2003 and at a Clinton event that followed, winning the first round of competition in the Clinton event. Other contestants slated to perform as finalists in the contest are Patrick Lewellen, Annie Calore, Jessica Bickelmeyer, Jessica Morales, Mike Ward, Vaughn Smith -- all from Kansas City and the surrounding area.

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