The day and hour has arrived. WOW… We are about to have the final show down at Don Ho’s Island Grill. Al Waterson’s and You present the 2005 Karaoke Finals for the Adults. There are about 4 hours remaining before it all begins. This is so exciting.
One would think that I would be on pins and needles right about now. To me it’s about getting on that stage and giving it your all. If you give your best, then nothing else matters. Is it about walking away with the prizes or knowing that you left something with the audience that will change their lives or perspective on things.
To all the contestants that will be competing with me on this evening, I hope you all the best. Keep in mind that we all are winners because we made it to the end.
In closing, the scripture comes to mind, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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Submitted by bencross on Sun, 2005-11-27 19:29.
Are you all getting excited about the Vocal Competition this coming Sunday, 27 November 2005? I know that I am. The suspense is building to see who will walk away with the prizes. It’s going to be a fun filled evening and the possibilities are open beyond measure. WOW… This would make good television.
So far, they have named a winners for the Keiki and the Teen Competitions. There are two groups yet holding on to their chance to be winners…Adult and Senior.
As some of you may know, this is my third year competing in this competition. The first two years I came in 2nd place. This year is going to be my last year competing in this competition since we are moving back to the mainland, and you know that I am going for 1st place. I might as well go out with a bang don’t you think!
Here are the winners from the prior years that I competed against:
2003 Winner - Christina Youngs (seen here with Don Ho, Nancy Bernal, and Al Waterson)
http://starbulletin.com/2003/12/08/features/artberger3.jpg
2004 Winner - Melissa Pannel (seen here with Don Ho)
http://starbulletin.com/2005/11/01/features/art2a.jpg
I hope that all of you will come out and celebrate this evening with me.
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Submitted by bencross on Mon, 2005-11-21 19:13.
The time to purchase your tickets for the Don Ho’s Island Grill Finals Competition is here. I will be purchasing tickets on Sunday evening for this event for those that request tickets from me. Get your money to me and I will get the tickets for you. So please respond back to me by Sunday (30 October 2005).
You can still request tickets up to November 17th. However, I cannot guarantee that there will be any preferred seating remaining. I normally get the seat right in front of the stage which gives you a complete view of the show.
The entire Singing Competition Finals will be videotaped and DVDs will be available for sale shortly after the competition. Only still photography is allowed. No personal video recorders please.
When: November 27, 2005 (Sunday)
Time: 6:00 PM
6:00pm – 7:30pm Dinner Buffet opens
7:30pm – 9:00pm Contest
9:00pm – 9:30pm Guest Artist Show/Announcement of the winner
Where: Don Ho’s Island Grill
1 Aloha Tower Dr Ste 193
Honolulu, HI 96813-4821
(808) 528-0807
Cost: $30 per person (includes dinner, show, tax and gratuity)
Menu:
Hot Station
Fish Entrée
Kalua Pork and Cabbage
Chop Steak
Chicken Entrée
Cold Station
Mixed Greens
Fresh Fruit
Macaroni Salad
Lomilomi Salmon
Tako Poke
Kim Chee
Dessert Station
Macadamia Nut Cream Pie
Sweet Potato Haupia Pie
Dressing and Condiments
Ranch, Thousand Island, Caesar and Ginger Miso Vinaigrette
Olives, Tomatoes, Onions, Carrots and Cucumber
Drinks
Non-alcoholic drinks and alcoholic drinks are not included and will have to be purchased separately at the event.
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Submitted by bencross on Wed, 2005-10-26 21:23.
It was a nice evening at Don Ho’s Island Grill on yesterday (23 October 2005). My family and I arrived around 6:15PM early enough to get everyone situated at the table and enough time to greet friends and fans. We were joined by a few of my co-workers and church friends for the evening.
The purpose for last nights gathering was in support of me in the Don Ho’s Island Grill Karaoke Contest. There were a total of six (6) contestants there to compete for that last coveted spot for the finals on November 27, 2005.
We all drew numbers to see which order we would be performing. As always, and that will never change, I let all the ladies pull their numbers first. It was down to two numbers (2 & 6). The last lady pulled 6 and that meant that I was contestant number 2. To be honest, I wanted 6 
.
I did the song that everyone wanted to hear, “Joyful, Joyful” and it was great seeing the excitement and interaction of the audience with me as we all made a joyful noise unto the Lord. “Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.” Psalms 47:1. The atmosphere was charged and set.
All six contestants performed and we all waited for the judges to complete their scoring. It was another close one (to my understanding). After about 15 minutes, they had made their decision, and they voted me the winner for the month of October for the Adult category. Now I have until the 19th of November to make my musical selection for the finals (27 November 2005 @ Don Ho’s Island Grill).
If you have been following me throughout the three years that I have been competing in these types of competition, you know that I am a lover of performing Gospel music. Some have asked if I have considered doing a non-Christian selection because this would make you sound more main stream. Honestly, Gospel music is what speaks to and through my heart and at the same time shares the redemption message to a crowd that might not ever grace the doors of any church.
To some it is just a contest. To others it’s a platform to be heard. To me, it’s goes beyond that. It’s about spreading the good news to every man through songs/music. The important fact to remember about me is that He, “God” will be exalted in all that I do because I might be the only light that someone there might see. "…if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." John 12:32. This will never change for me. I love to sing His praises.
I look forward to seeing all of you there on the 27th of November supporting me. Let me know if you are interested and I will give you additional information about the event and cost.
Grace and Peace be unto you….
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Submitted by bencross on Mon, 2005-10-24 12:45.
St. Andrew's Cathedral held a Night in New Orleans food and jazz fest on the church grounds September 16th and 17th starting at 5:30p.m. each day in support of the Katrina Relief efforts. For a donation of $25, chicken and sausage gumbo, Caesar salad, French bread, and bananas foster was available for your dining.
It was an event to remember. The line up of “live” performances was:
Sept. 16th
Tennyson Stephens / Azure McCall (Honolulu’s “First Lady of Jazz”)
Iolani Jazz Band / Abe Weinstein
UH Jazz Band
Hickam Gospel Choir
Sept. 17th
Lew Maddox/Buddy MackTrio (Dixieland)
Downtown Charley & the Humbones (Blues / Roots Rock Band)
City of Refuge Christian Church VOP (Voices of Praise) Choir and band
The City of Refuge Choir came to support this event with an hour or so of Gospel music. We opened with an ‘a cappella’ rendition of “Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood, “Oh How Wondrous” by John P. Key and lead by David Harris, “Perfect Praise (How Excellent) by Walt Whitman and lead by Benjamin Cross (HawaiiStars 2003 Finalist), “Shout” as performed by Martha Munizzi, “You Are Good” by Israel Houghton and New Breed, and we closed the evening with “Because of Who You Are” by Martha Munizzi.
The radiance of God’s glory electrified the cathedral as we worshiped and proclaimed His majesty. The atmosphere was set for God’s presence to rest upon his people. God visited us and all of His glory surrounded the temple. As a unified body (holding hands and lifting them) throughout the cathedral, we all lifted “Because of Who You Are” as an offering unto the Lord.
We all did our part in helping those that are in need in New Orleans. And we all shall never forget this evening of visitation from heaven. Lord I worship you because of who you are…
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Submitted by bencross on Sun, 2005-09-18 14:19.
Many people have asked where they can hear me sing since they miss me on television (HawaiiStars 2003 season). If you live on Oahu, I would like to invite you to the City of Refuge Christian Church of Hawaii.
You'll find a great group of people here at the City of Refuge (CORCC). We look forward to you being a guest in our services. If you need directions to the church, just click here and you are well on your way.
Grace and peace be unto you....
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Submitted by bencross on Sun, 2005-09-18 02:58.
