Fans flock to pay phones to give Sharpe an Idol edge
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 | 8:09 AM NT
CBC News
As Craig Sharpe inches closer toward the Canadian Idol final, the aspiring pop star can thank, in part, a brigade of family and friends back in Newfoundland for plugging coins into several dozen pay phones.
Sharpe, 16, survived Tuesday night's cut on the popular CTV series, entering the final three.
Immediately after the performance each Monday, dozens of Sharpe supporters based in his home community of Upper Island Cove spread out to almost 80 pay phones, some as far as 90 kilometres away in St. John's.
Craig Sharpe has made the final three on CTV's Canadian Idol.
(CTV)
The fans use pay phones because each vote placed there is counted, whereas home-based callers struggle to get through during the voting period.
Loretta Sharpe, who was Sharpe's kindergarten teacher, says she has had high hopes for his career.
"I told Craig two years ago that he would be the Canadian Idol, and I told him if he tried out, I would do everything in my power to help him make it," she said.
Several dozen fans and family members gathered Tuesday night at Upper Island Cove's recreation centre to watch the Canadian Idol results show.
"I was nervous," said sister Colleen Sharpe.
"I had a feeling he was going to do it, but you never know.… But we are really, really proud of him, and I can't wait to talk to him."
Fans said they are confident Sharpe will make it to the final, although they say they will still head straight to pay phones to help his chances.
Sharpe is the fourth Newfoundlander to make it to the final rounds of Canadian Idol since the series began in 2003, following in the steps of Jenny Gear, Jason Greeley — who also lived in Upper Island Cove — and Rex Goudie.
Goudie finished second in the 2005 competition and launched a best-selling album, Under The Lights.
