Hopeful students showcase talent

For his audition to the Carson High School Talent Show on Wednesday afternoon, 17-year-old Jake Williamson chose to sing an old-school country tribute to Hank Williams.

The lyrics to "The Ride" are more than just words to him.

"I like contemporary and old stuff," he explained. "But that song, I try to live my life by it."

He hoped the judges could hear his own mantra as he played guitar and sang: "Drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing? Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues, can you bend them guitar strings? Boy, can you make folks feel what you feel inside?"

He wasn't the only one laying it all out during the try-outs Wednesday afternoon.

Shaun Raiche, 18, choreographed a girls group dance routine as part of his senior project.

He was pleased with the girls' performance, but was nervous for his own solo routine.

"I've never danced by myself before," he said.

Although he was hopeful he'd make it into the show, his love of dance extends beyond competition.

"I've been dancing since second grade," he said. "It's a great activity."

It's helped him, he said, drop from 246 pounds to 173.

Other acts were more light-hearted.

Erik DeMar, 17, joined with a group of friends to create "Tha Mongolian Party."

"It's a funny little dance with guys shaking their booties to live music," he said.

Teacher Brian Reedy, who organized the show, said 36 acts signed up to audition. From them he and three student judges will select about 16 to perform in the Feb. 16 show.

"It's getting really popular," he said.

Even students who didn't audition are excited to see the students in the final performance.

"People who wouldn't normally do something at school do it in the talent show," said Amanda Gordon, 17. "People you wouldn't expect."

Winners will be posted after school today. Reedy said it's a difficult selection process.

"They're all good, like always," he said.

Williamson sang a soulful warning: "If you're big star bound, let me warn you it's a long, hard ride."