Kern River Chorus performed a medley of songs that night
Photos and Story by Catherine Stachowiak
The Kern River Chorus held its Talent Show finals, Kern Valley Sings! on Saturday April 27, at the Senior Center.
This was a showdown between the top four finalists. According to the KRC, only fifty audience members were allowed to vote on the winners. All contestants reside in the valley.
Albert Reyes performed “Unchained Melody,” last in the contestant lineup of the four, yet he won first place that evening, and a check for $500. Lori Hinkey sang, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” first in the lineup, and won second place that evening and a check for $250. Mark Yarber sang the song, “At This Moment,” as the third contestant in the lineup, and won third place during the event and $100. Garret Hodge sang his own original worship song titled “Personal,” as the second contestant to perform in the lineup, and he won fourth place and $50. All four contestants were finalists in the series of contests competing with others.
The Kern River Chorus performed the songs Crockodile Rock and Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing. The chorus then sang a tribute to all the US branches of military service, during which, veterans who served stood and the audience applauded them. Then the chorus sang the patriotic song, My County ‘Tis of Thee. Kern River Chorus also sang Eight Days A Week, and a song Elijah Rock. They later sang Africa and the song 10,000 Hours. They closed the evening performing with all the finalists.
The first contestant to perform was Hinkey. She loves playing piano and singing and loves all kinds of music. In her adolescence she performed in several musical productions in Bakersfield Civic Light Opera. In her youth and adulthood she performed in musical productions and plays at church. She has been in vocal training more recently to improve and grow. She performs in duets and solos in church and recently joined Kern River Chorus. Accompanying Hinkey was Trudy Mock of Mock Music. Mock is an accomplished musician, and a pianist and organist at her church and her company teaches many instruments and provides an orchestra to the community.
The second contestant to perform, songwriter Garrett Hodge has lived in the valley since grade 3. His mother taught him and his siblings to sing on an old, out of tune, upright piano. He gave his love for singing and songwriting, through the church, being raised as a pastor’s son. He has served as worship leader for many years. He is senior pastor at the Upper Room Pentacostal of the Kern River Valley. He and his family have produced two albums of originals and Gospel harmonies. He performed at the competition a song he wrote at age 23 playing piano, accompanied by Tim West on guitar and Kevin Anderson on drums. “With one hand you hold the universe; with the other you steal my heart,” were some lyrics in his song.
The third contestant was Mark Yarber from California, known for soulful performances and diverce musical style, which was influenced by classic rock, country, blues, ballads, and Gospel. He first began playing the trumpet at age 12, leading him to form a band with family members and a close friend touring California, playing bluegrass classics. He performed for 15 years in his church choir and he formed a Gospel band with four pastors, which performed for Celebrate Recovery in Bakersfield for several years. He has been a finalist to perform at the Kern County Fair, and he has auditioned for the television show the Voice on two separate occasions. In 2018 he placed in the top five in the Voice of the Ocean competition. Later he was a runner up at the same competition.
The fourth contestant Albert Reyes is a native born Angelino, traversing the face of the earth, according to his bio. He’s been reverberating sounds for as long as he can remember. He’s yodeled the Kern Valley Mountains for the past couple of years. He’s an Air Corps veteran, a retired aerospace test engineer, and a grandfather. He placed number one that evening.
