Leadership Paducah Class 21’s Karaoke Night rocked it out big time this past Friday, raising more than $3,000 for a handicapped-accessible playground in the works for Noble Park.
The Leadership Class chose the playground as its yearlong class project, with members throwing down their leadership skills with this throw-down of a good time.
Wearing a Boston concert T-shirt and oozing energy, emcee Chuck Tate of the Carson Center got the party started, inspiring performers to “represent” at the mic. More than 200 people filled 3020 Park Ave., cheered the performers, bid on silent auction items and posed at the on-site portrait studio.
The Chamber’s Stacy Thomas & the Stacettes warmed up the audience…
…as Tate and judges Brent McKown of Regions Bank (and a former Paducah Idol contestant), William Sledd of YouTube fame, Adam Shull of the Paducah Sun and Mary Thorsby of iList Paducah settled in with their liquid refreshments.
First up: The Missouri all-gal group featuring the Sun’s Dusty Luthi showing plenty of hip action att-ti-tude. Mary complimented Luthi for “puttin’ out,” with William quickly blasting Mary’s lame attempt at urban street. “Mare-Mare, she did not put out. She broke it down,” he said.
Jason Still literally kicked the competition into high gear with his soulful rendition of You Can Leave Your Hat On. His on-stage sexiness left Mary in a tizzy. “I’m just going to say it,” she said. “You’re hot.” 
Tina, Chris, Randy, Natasha, Bobby and Stephanie delivered spot-on performances.
Stacy Thomas returned to the stage with Brickhouse and back-up boy John Pace getting the audience up on their feet.
But it was April Estes (pictured with husband Rob) who stole the judge’s hearts with Reba McEntire’s Why Haven’t I Heard From You. Her pure and beautiful voice, along with her energetic showmanship, got everyone singing along with her. Without a doubt, April is a natural performer. And she received the highest compliment from William: “You are one hot bitch,” he declared.
After deliberations and more liquid refreshment, the judges found themselves at a standstill: Jason or April? Only one way to find out — a hot and sexy showdown. The judges selected Pretty Woman, called the two to the stage and invited the audience to decide for themselves.
Jason, who may have had a little liquid refreshment himself, was a little slow on the concept of sharing the song with April. But with her polished professionalism, April managed to steal the song and garner the longest and loudest applause.
Congratulations to April and to all the contestants for a great evening. And many thanks to Leadership Paducah Class 21 for bringing the community together for a smart and fun way to raise money for a good cause.
