CUMBERLAND — Jenna Mathews, 19, of Cumberland, is the winner of the second annual month-long We’ve Got Talent 2011 competition held at Canal Place.
Mathews received a grand prize of $1,000 and a spot in the ArtsFest 2011 line-up, which will be held Aug. 20.
“I am very excited (about winning),” said Mathews in an email to the Times-News. “Everybody in the contest had amazing talent, so I feel blessed and honored to have won. It is such a pleasant surprise and I'm glad that I had the experience of participating.”
Mathews, who is an elementary education major at Frostburg State University, plans on using a majority of the money for her college tuition.
Mathews, who is a soloist singer, performed a country song titled “I'm Alright’’ by Jo Dee Messina, for the first week of competition; the second week she sang “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree’’ by K.T. Tunstall and sang “Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland” for the third week. For the finale she sang “I’m Alright” again and sang “Set Fire to the Rain’’ by Adele.
“It is a pop/jazz song off of her newest album, said Mathews. “I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it and knew if I made it to the finale that that would be the song I would sing. The piano in the song is beautiful and I love the power and meaning behind the lyrics.”
This is the first time Mathews has participated in the competition.
“I heard about it last year, but I wasn’t able to do it,” said Mathews. “When I saw it advertised this summer I knew I wanted to participate.”
For Mathews, the performance bug is catching.
“I love everything about it (performing). I love the nervousness and the excitement,” said Mathews. “But, my favorite part about performing is entertaining people. I love to look out at the crowd and see them smiling and clapping along to the music. When I am on the stage I feel like I am in my element and it just comes naturally to me. Sure I get nervous, but that’s part of the experience. I love to make the crowd happy and entertain them, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am right now. Everyone has been great to me, so when I am on stage I want to make sure I can return the favor by entertaining them and allowing them to have a good time.”
Coty Warn won second place and was awarded $500. The Driven placed third and received a prize of $250.
The competition began with a field of 17, who competed for the top three places over a four- week period. Other 2011 contestants included, Michele Bailey, Alex Beeman, Beloved, Brothers of Summer, Sadie Diehl, Hugs ‘n Kisses, Loretta Hummel, Leslie Jones, Bernard “Jack” Kenney, Walker Magrath, Chelsea Malone, Candi Mann, Nick Price and Rhett Wolford.
Mathews will perform at ArtFest, which is similar to Canalfest/Railfest.
“I am really excited about performing there and putting on a show for everyone,” said Mathews. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
The We've Got Talent competition is sponsored by WFRB, Western Maryland Distributing, Allegany Arts Council, Crabby Pig and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Plans are already under way for the third annual We’ve Got Talent competition.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
