Local teen advances in Ohio Idol contest

CHP information

A Delphos teen will perform at Ohio’s largest Independence Day celebration after qualifying for the third round of a statewide vocal competition.

Cameron Jones, 15, recently was selected as a member of Ohio Idol’s Top 50, and will perform outside Nationwide Arena in Columbus on July 3 at the “Red White and Boom” Fourth of July celebration.

Ohio Idol is a statewide singing competition, exclusively for Ohio residents that are 12 years of age and older. Contestants compete to win a $10,000 cash prize, a recording contract and a year-long, state tour with the top five.

The Idol competition consists of four rounds of auditions. The first round was held at Westerville Central High School on June 9.

Jones was chosen to advance to the Top 100 after his winning performance at Ohio Has Talent! in Van Wert on March 31. The Top 100 singers performed at Westerville Central High School on June 16 and 17, where the competition was narrowed down to 50.

The July 3 competition at Nationwide Arena will narrow the field to 10, and the Top 10 will perform at four county fairs before performing live on the Main Street stage at The Ohio State Fair on July 28, where the winner and Top 5 will be announced.

Registration for Ohio Has Talent! 2013 is underway. The application is posted on the “Ohio Has Talent!” page at comhealthpro.org. Auditions will be held November 2-3 and the show will be on February 9, 2013.