Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - University of Wisconsin-Platteville senior Tiahti "Ty" Young is one of 20 finalists who will compete in the Fox Fest Idol finals in La Crosse on August 20. Contestants will compete for an all-expense paid trip to a guaranteed audition with "American Idol" judges in a city to be announced at a later date.

The group of finalists was whittled down from a field of about 300 contestants throughout the state. Young performed two songs, a cappella, to make it through the first two rounds of cuts. For the Aug. 20 performance, he will perform three songs, which he wrote and assisted in producing. UWP audiences may recognize Young's name from the school's own "Pioneer Idol" contest last spring, which he won. This communication major said he has been interested in music and performing ever since he can remember. "I sang a lot of classical music in high school and I grew up in church, so I also have sung a lot in the gospel tradition. But, I'm most interested in rhythm and blues, and that's what I'll be singing in the contest," he said.

The event on Aug. 20 will be held at Riverfront Park in La Crosse in conjunction with the annual Sand on the Riverfront Festival. The festival, produced by the non-profit group Riverfront, Inc., is held every year to raise money and awareness to benefit people with disabilities. The contest is being co-sponsored by Riverfront and WLAX TV. Anyone interested in learning more about the contest may call the Riverfront organization at (800) 949-7380.

Young is the son of Betty Young of Eagle Lake, Minn. Anyone interested in learning more about Tiahti Young's music may go to www.myspace.com and type in Tiahti.

Contact: Tiahti Young, (608) 732-0701,youngti@uwplatt.edu Prepared By: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, martense@uwplatt.edu