And the winner is?!! - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

... Eric Alberts of Mason City, Iowa!!!

Twelve finalists who advanced from Winona, Mason City and Rochester performed in concert August 12th for the title of FOX 47 Idol.    Winning the free trip to New York for a guaranteed American Idol audition was 19 year old Eric Alberts of Mason City, IA.  Eric sang "Let It Be" by The Beatles. 

Runner-ups included 23 year old Melissa Dorenkamp of Mason City, IA who sang "Crazy" by Patsy Cline and 28 year old Joe Alvarez of Mason City, IA who sang "LaBamba" by Richie Valance.

Eric's flight (for two people) to New York is provided by Saint Mary's University, Winona, MN.  Holiday Inn South in Rochester provided the four day, three night hotel.  He'll be staying at the Holiday Inn HEXS Meadowland Area  ... August 18 thru August 21.   

On average, seven to ten-thousand people have been showing up at the national auditions but Eric will have it nice.  The letter that Eric will take with him to New York says, "The front of the line is at Gate A.  Do not get in line. Go directly to the front of the line and ask for Patrick Lynn."  With any luck our FOX 47 Idol Eric Alberts will get that gold card and move on.

The concert was the end of two months of auditions.  All of us at FOX 47 enjoyed traveling to Saint Mary's University in Winona, to the North Iowa Fair and to Rochester.  We have so many talented singers in our area.  We thank everybody who auditioned.  It takes guts but you did it - and we hope you're glad you did.  We're proud of all of you.  It was really fun to meet you.