Georgia man the winner of the eighth annual Sinatra Idol Contest
Jun 13, 2014 | 3709 views | 3 3 comments | 39 39 recommendations | email to a friend | print
: Crooner Gabriel Russo of Georgia was the winner of the 8th annual Sinatra Idol Contest on Thursday, June 12.
: Crooner Gabriel Russo of Georgia was the winner of the 8th annual Sinatra Idol Contest on Thursday, June 12.
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HOBOKEN – Gabriel Russo, 60, of Dahlonega, Ga., who remembers spending summers visiting with his grandparents on Park Avenue in Hoboken as a child, was crowned winner of the eighth annual Sinatra Idol Contest on Thursday, June 12 at the DeBaun Auditorium at the Stevens Institute of Technology.

Russo won in a sing-off over Charles Stayduhar Jr. of Pittsburgh, Pa., after the two had tied following judges’ voting. Russo’s rendition of “Come Fly with Me” clinched the victory for him.

Thirteen others competed, including the contest’s first ever woman entrant. In addition to Georgia, the performers hailed from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Florida.

Contestants representing Hudson County were Humphrey Uddoh of Jersey City and Joe Vozzella of Bayonne.

Guttenberg’s Mario Cruz, last year’s winner, began the evening with a performance and passed the trophy on to the 2014 winner. – Joseph Passantino

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Jeanne Tribuzzo Zemek
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June 17, 2014
The winner sang off key. Forgot the words to the song. Did not have sinatra mannerisms

I was shocked that he won. Sinatra is such an Icon, I think it was an insult to the man himself.

There were a few other contestants that sang on key and had his mannerisms down.

Thinking the judge selection should be singers that are very familiar with Sinatra. And,the judges should not be Hoboken residents.

The contest would be more honest and with integrity that this one lacked.
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Nick Randazzo
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June 19, 2014
It seems you have to be from Hoboken or have relatives from Hoboken to win this contest.There were at least 7 other singers better then this guy.In the sing off he did not know half of Come Fly With Me a Sinatra standard.The lady is right the judges should be singers instead of Hoboken polictions.Just look at the last three winners they all had a connection to Hoboken.
smokeybbb
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June 19, 2014
I agree! Francis Albert must be spinning in his grave. I bet they don't get too many repeat contestants. This sure isn't going to help tourism to his hometown.