Chautauqua Lake Idol
The judges were Tom Torbjornsen, Tim Edborg, Sue Jones, Jeanine Zimmer, Steve Swanson and guest judge, Jackson Rohm though others did join the judging table throughout the years. Jackson now lives and entertains in the San Francisco Bay area though Chautauqua County will always be in his heart. He continues to visit us each summer with concert appearances throughout the county in Lakewood, Bemus Point and Mayville.
Sadly, since those years in Bemus Point we lost both Steve and Tom in the same year only four months apart. Steve on May 20th and Tom on September 16th.
Steve Swanson
1956-2016
Tom Torbjornsen
1956-2016
"Tom Torbjornsen was so well known for his great knowledge of cars, but I was even more impressed with his extensive knowledge of music and performance whether it be in a good running car's performance on the road or a singer's quality performance on the stage. He was funny, yet kind and uplifting to every performer who ever stepped to the microphone.
The first few years of Idol the judges went to the tryouts. I remember sitting on the floating stage one Saturday with the other judges on an overcast and chilly day. Once the competition began and the contestants were picked I remember walking back to my car. The mother of a contestant who had been voted off berated my every step of that walk because her daughter wouldn't be returning the following week. I couldn't get a word in .. until I got in my car. I, then, turned to the mother and said .. "My friend, I voted FOR your daughter! Everyone thought being a judge was "a walk in the park". It was not "a piece of cake" because the competition was intense yet looking back .. overall, it was a fun and memorable experience!
Thank you, Dan Dalpra for giving so many young artists the opportunity to share their talents with the rest of us during those beautiful summers in Bemus Point. It was a shame there could only be one winner as I was amazed, week after week, with the talent we all witnessed on the floating stage. Thank you to everyone who was involved with the Idol program and for giving so many contestants the chance .. to shine!
"Each of the judges gave their ALL to support Dan and the Pops, but none with more energy and pizazz than our Steve Swanson. He was an extremely talented musician when singing, playing piano or composing, but most importantly when teaching .. not only in his classroom, but when helping performers hone their own craft, as well. His passing was a shock and a shame."
Sue Jones, Chautauqua Lake Idol Judge
"Steve Swanson loved the Bemus Bay Pops with all his being and coined the name, Captain Dan for his dear friend, Dan Dalpra. I will always remember his Louie Armstrong rendtion of What a Wonderful World at each Pops season finale night. Hearing Steve pour his heart and soul into that song and every song he ever sang usually brought tears to my eyes. Steve was an extraordinary talent who loved being on a stage though particularly, the Bemus Bay Pops floating stage .. giving his all to each and every performance. Thank you, Steve."
Pat Locke
"I enjoyed my three seasons as a Chautauqua Lake Idol judge immensely. As one of the first judges, I was able to see the competition grow over the years. The contestants were really into their performances and the energy showed. It was the brainchild of a great promoter and entertain, it did! Hoping to see the singing competition return as it's great for the Pops and the community, at large. The contest gave the singers a chance to let their stars shine! Thanks for the fun opportunity to be a judge and witness such talent on the floating stage."
Jeanine Zimmer, Chautauqua Lake Idol Judge and President, Zimmer Media LLC
"I had such a fantastic time judging the Chautauqua Lake Idol and was pleasantly surprised by the talent of the contestants, particularly the younger singers. The crowds came out in force for those events on the floating stage. The heart of Bemus Point was the ideal summertime place for friends and families to gather. It was wonderful to get together on a warm Monday evening to enjoy an entertaining show as the sun went down in the background over our beautiful lake."
Jackson Rohm, Recording Artist
"I can't believe the Chautauqua Lake Idol singing contest began as a simple vocal competition and it soon became an eleven year program that showcased so many talented singers from across the region. SE93 is most proud it was not becoming the usual karaoke competition, but rather an amazing group of local musicians who worked with the competing singers before each show to help make sure they all put forth the best entertainment on the floating stage for our audiences each week throughout the summer season. This invaluable experience was given to each singer allowing them to perform each week with a live band headed by talented musician, John Cross and his Babalu Band.
As MC I saw many familiar faces in the audience each week from my vantage point on the stage. Folks who showed their enthusiastic support for the singers and it was especially fun to see new audience members each week, as well.
I think the Chautauqua Lake Idol program was something the arts community was very proud of throughout the course of the Idol competition each summer. As Master of Ceremonies it was an honor for me to be involved with such a fun contest for eleven Bemus Point summers. I only missed one show due to an injured knee so a heartfelt thank you to John Erickson for filling in for me as MC, back then."
Andrew Hill, MC
The Chautauqua Lake Idol Title Winners:
Susan Waite, 2004
Marla Harris, 2005
Lauren Cecchini, 2006
Ben Blood, 2007
Billy Thomas, 2008
Marc Nupp, 2009
Heather Pawlak, 2010
Shawn Wilder, 2011
Samantha DeJesus, 2012
The Chautauqua Lake Voices Title Winners:
Michael Nugent, 2013
Ashley Reefer, 2014
"Being part of the Chautauqua Lake Voices competition was a wonderful experience. I made many great friends and it stretched me as a vocalist. It was fun to perform songs from different music genres each week. Winning was such an honor. Thank you."
Ashley Reefer
"The combined memories that we all hold dear from those singing competition years whether being a judge, an MC or someone in the audience each week cheering on a family member or friend are so special as were all the years of the Bemus Bay Pops in Bemus Point NY. Bemus Point will never quite be the same .. ever again. Thanks for the memories, Dan. We appreciate them all .. like finely aged wine."
Be Safe.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
