By Heather Matthews
Staff Writer

Dale Byrd performs “You Lift Me Up” by Josh Groban during the second half of the Majestic Theatre’s “Majestic Idol” finale on Sunday, June 25. After three rounds of tough competition, Byrd was named the first ever “Majestic Idol.” (Photo by Heather Matthews)

While most of the contestants spent the day before the “Majestic Idol” finals drinking water to hydrate their voices and practicing their big numbers, Dale Byrd didn’t think about the competition at all.

Instead, he spent the day unpacking from his family’s recent move. But keeping his mind off the event paid off for Byrd.

Byrd was named the Majestic Theatre’s first “Majestic Idol” after the third and final night of performances on Sunday, June 25.

The “Majestic Idol” competition began on June 11, with 18 contestants ready to show Manchester their vocal talents. By the end of the inaugural show, the 18 contestants were narrowed down to 12. During the second week of competition, with performances on June 18, only seven semifinalists sang their way into the final of the event.

“The 18 came from every direction, every corner of the sky,” said A. Robert Dionne, the Ryan Seacrest of the show and director of the Majestic Theatre. “I really got to know them, and each time we had to send someone home, I felt worse.”

Last Sunday, the final seven ­ Byrd of Manchester, Sarah Mousseau of Stratham, Danielle Lussier of Londonderry, Megan Brodeur of Goffstown, Allison Duhamel of Nashua, Angelo Gentile of Center Barnstead and Chelsea Leguerre of Manchester ­ took the stage, one by one, wowing the crowds and even the judges.

Byrd took the stage first, performing “Save the Last Dance,” as recorded by Michael Buble, and was greeted by compliments from all three judges, prominent names in the state’s theater scene, including Candice Glickman, Brett Mallard and Tommy Hensel.

“You had a few minor pitch issues,” Mallard said. “But I said I wanted to see you change it up and have more fun on stage, and you did.”

During “Save the Last Dance,” Byrd had the opportunity to show the judges and audience his dance skills during the musical interlude.

“I was just a little bit nervous about the shaking of my bottom area,” Byrd said when Dionne asked him about his performance.

After performances by his competitors and an intermission, Byrd wowed the judges and audiences with his rendition of “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Byrd had to sit through one more intermission before taking the stage a third time to wait for the announcement of the winner.

Although it was a long, nerve-racking experience, Byrd knew it was going to be a good night when his family won a pair of tickets to see “American Idols Live” at the Verizon Wireless Arena through the theater’s 50/50 raffle during the show’s intermission.

“Tonight’s the night,” he said.

After being named the first annual “Majestic Idol,” Byrd took the stage for another performance.

“I feel like Taylor Hicks,” Byrd exclaimed from stage during his performance of “Home” by Michael Buble.

With lyrics such as “And I feel just like I am living someone else’s life. It’s like I just stepped outside when everything was going right,” the song was the perfect way for Byrd to end his performances with the “Majestic Idol.”

Byrd never expected to win the competition, he said, and was content just making it into the final round of the competition.

Although he grew up in a musical family ­ his father and sister used to have their own country band ­ singing was just a hobby. While he loves the spotlight and always dreamed of making it big, singing is just something he does for fun.

“I’m stunned,” he said. “There were so many good singers in the competition, I was just happy to get in the top three. I just can’t believe it. That trophy could have gone to any one (of us).”

As the winner of “Majestic Idol,” Byrd was awarded $500, a trophy, two tickets to see “American Idols Live” at the Verizon and a solo show at the Majestic Theatre.

First runner-up Lussier received $150, a Web page on Majestic’s site and a trophy. Second runner-up Duhamel received $100 and a trophy.

Although Byrd has the chance to showcase his own talent, he said his solo show would be a collaborative effort.

“I think I am going to bring the top seven back,” he said. “We’re going to do some group numbers and duets. It’s going to be a mixed-genre show. We’re going to do pop, country, classical ­ a lot of different styles.”

Byrd’s solo show will be held at the Majestic on Friday, July 28, at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, July 1. For more information, call 669-7469 or visit www.majestictheatre.net.

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