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Local audition spawns into larger opportunity

By Amy Train - | May 30, 2001

A 22-year-old Tonganoxie woman’s first chance to sing with a country band is a big one.

Trina Williams, who works as an advertising representative at The Mirror, will be one of several featured singers with Glen’s Opry at 8 p.m. June 8 at the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium, 301 S. Hickory, Ottawa.

“I love singing,” Williams said. “And, I’ve always dreamed of singing with a band. Usually, I just sing karaoke, so I’m really excited. This is a good opportunity for me.”

Williams auditioned for a spot to sing at Glen’s Opry April 7. She didn’t hear back from opry owner Glen Smith until May 18. When he called, Williams was surprised, especially since her first performance was going to be at an opry house three times the size of Glen’s.

Smith said he was impressed with Williams when she auditioned for him.

“There’s something about her,” he said. “We audition a lot of people. I think she did an excellent job. I thought if we could have a hometown girl, it would be a real opportunity for her. There will be people there who can see her, so who knows?”

Williams said Smith told her that he wanted to start her out a little bigger.

“I wasn’t too shocked,” she said. “But I was really excited. It caught me a little.”

The only real setback for Williams is she doesn’t know too many country songs. Of course, she said, she wants to learn more. Three of the songs Williams will probably sing are “Break it to Me Gently” by Brenda Lee, “Bill Bailey” by Patsy Cline and “Even God Must Get the Blues” by Jo Dee Messina.

Williams has considered auditioning at other area oprys such as Paola or the Northtown Opry in Kansas City.

The June 8 performance should help her decide which route to pursue.

Williams has been singing intently for the past six years. She’s done karaoke for the past two. In November, she placed in the top five out of 24 singers in the finals of the 21st Great Kansas City Sing-Off. She qualified for the sing-off by winning karaoke contests at Kelly’s restaurant in Basehor.

“I’ve always loved to sing,” Williams said. “I’ve wanted to perform for about the last six years.”

Recently, she has become a lot more confident in her vocal abilities. Williams said that she’s less timid about performing in public.

There’s a phrase, she said, that she believes: “I sing because I’m happy and I’m happy because I sing.”

Tickets to the show are available at The Mirror newspaper office, 520 E. Fourth, and at Bichelmeyer’s Steakhouse, 427 E. Fourth. General Admission tickets are $10 each.

Also performing will be Jim Winters and the Glen’s Opry Band with CCMA Entertainer of the Year Larry Ellis on the fiddle. Special guest stars include: Jill Warren, from the Music Box Theater in Burlington, Kan., and Luke Town from Paola.

Smith said he will donate a one-year pass to all Saturday Night shows at Glen’s Opry and a Glen’s Opry embroidered jacket with their name for the person who buys the most tickets. The same will go for the business, club or group that buys the most tickets.

For more information, contact Smith at (913) 631-2591 or Ottawa Municipal Auditorium at (785) 242-8810.