Auditions in Dayton

Thought about adding this on to the post about the National Anthem Tryouts in Quad Cities, but the decision to give it a post of its own is something with which I can live.

Picking winners from the more than 300 talented groups and individuals who showed up at The Dayton Daily News National Anthem Tryouts on Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, for a chance to sing or play the "Star-Spangled Banner" at one of 70 Dayton Dragons home games, was a challenge.

Highlights? You bet!

Gracie Mceldown, 10, of Russia, who sings in the children's choir at her church, dressed in red, white and blue Sunday. Josh Lawson, 22, a car washer from Beavercreek, wore pajamas with clouds because of his "angelic voice," he said. He belted out a raucous rendition of the anthem.

Diane Yeager, 45, of Dayton, assistant director of the Kettering Community Chorus, sang the song "the way it was written. I cherish the song and I think it should be sang the way it was written," she said.

Becky Schatzberg, 46, of Bellbrook, also sang a traditional rendition, while Chanella Dunford, 41, of West Carrollton, with her own band, sang a gospel-infused, neo-soul rendition.

Tyler Brown, 22, who has cerebral palsy, sang from his wheelchair with the help of his grandfather, Jerry Willoughby of Huber Heights. Billy Brandon, 13, of Centerville, a student at the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus, sang solo. He plays the trombone in his school band, which will be the first blind band to march in January's Rose Bowl parade, he said.

Tim Nichols, 49, and his son Tyler, 12, a fifth-grader at St. Charles Elementary School in Kettering, played a trumpet duet.

There is video at the link. I haven't watched it yet, but I'm hoping the gospel-infused, neo-soul version made it over the pajamas with clouds.