‘Manning’ up
The third time was the charm for Wayne freshman Travis Manning.
Manning was the third of four performers participating in Tuesday night’s Central Star finale in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.
But Manning’s rendition of Jesse McCartney’s “What’s Your Name” and “Two Beds and a Coffee Machine” by Savage Garden earned him a first place finish as Central Michigan University’s new Central Star.
Recording artist Jason Levasseur was the special guest host for the night.
“Most of these performers don’t do this all the time,” said Levasseur said in regards to the students performing in front of an audience.
Waterford freshman Sara Enloe was the evening’s fourth and final performer, taking home second place honors for singing “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood and “Killing Me Softly” by The Fugees.
Levasseur opened the night with a few of his own songs, including “Roll On” and “Not Your Hero.”
“I’m from North Carolina, but this song is about a girl from Mount Pleasant,” he said jokingly.
After his set, Levasseur introduced the first performer, Port Sanilac freshman Lane Dunlap. Levasseur encouraged the crowd to show their support.
Dunlap performed two songs – “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston and “Inside Your Heaven” by Bo Bice.
The three judges, Alan Gumm, associate music professor, Flint junior Megan Lucius and Port Huron senior Becca Seaton, critiqued the performances.
Gaylord senior Jen Gerwig was the evening’s second performer.
She performed “On My Own” from Les Misérable and “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson.
“You have quite a range,” said Gumm, adding the emotion in Gerwig’s face matched the emotion in her voice.
Levasseur came out again between acts and performed his own rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from Disney’s The Lion King, and one of his new songs, “Driver Is the DJ.”
“This is a protest song,” he said. “To protest people that would get in my car and change the song.”
