She sang Somebody Stand By Me (and won a contest)

[vivfox]

Karaoke winner sings tonight

Posted By CATHY DOBSON

Sarnia's Dee Chatel is Hiawatha's latest winner.

No, Chatel didn't hit the jackpot at the races. Instead, she won the admiration of hundreds as she sang her way to a first place finish in the karaoke contest.

This winter, she beat out dozens of competitors, took home a cheque for $750 and tonight becomes the headline act at Hiawatha's Reflections Lounge.

"I was nervous getting up to sing in front of all those people but once I was up there, it was great," said Chatel, 31.

She's been singing since she was a little girl growing up in Wallaceburg and has competed in singing contests since she was 15.

"I'd always heard of the Hiawatha 99.9 Fox FM contest and I got pushed into it this year," she said. "I'm really glad I was."

After qualifying for the final list of 16 performers, Chatel took first prize on Feb. 16 before a standing-room only crowd.

"I think I shocked a lot of people by choosing to sing a Stevie Nicks song, "Somebody Stand By Me," she said. "I'm known for doing Janis Joplin songs but I wanted to show my versatility."

While a karaoke machine is available during the competition, Chatel said none of the finalists relied on it.

Sarnia's Gary Baker placed second and will open for Chatel on Saturday.

In 2003, Chatel competed for Canadian Idol, travelling to Toronto to go head-to-head with thousands of wannabe stars.


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