Published: November 27, 2006 11:37 pm      

Meridian hosts former ‘Idol’

“American Idol” star and Peavey endorser Bo Bice will be a guest judge today at the Afterschool (Not) Idle singing contest as part of the Lights On Afterschool rally.

The event, which will be open only to kids enrolled in the local Boys & Girls Club and 21st Century after-school programs, is part of a national movement to support after-school programs.

The contest at the Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts will feature Marisa Potate of Meridian, sister act Angela and Zandreya Fowler of Meridian, and Mallory Broadus of Thomasville, Ala.

The contestants will compete for a grand prize of $1,000 in their choice of Peavey Electronics equipment and studio time with back-up musicians. Second place winners will receive $750 in Peavey equipment; third place winners will receive $500 in Peavey equipment.

Other judges will be Peavey founder and CEO Hartley Peavey and Mark Pinske, general manager of Media Matrix, Crest Audio and Architectural Acoustics, which are divisions of Peavey Electronics. Pinske is a veteran recording and live sound engineer.

Pinske is known for his work as Frank Zappa’s sound engineer.

Jim Beaugez, marketing director for Peavey, said Bice confirmed Monday that he would be in Meridian today. He said Peavey has been working with Bice to develop a custom model Peavey Custom Shop guitar.

“We had worked with him on educational promotions before, and as soon as he heard what we were going to do with after-school programs, he was on board,” Beaugez said.