Callie Knight wins Kowaliga Idol competition

“When they said my name, all the built-up nerves just let go,” said Callie Knight of Wadley, winner of this year’s Kowaliga Idol singing competition.

For four weeks in January and February, Knight competed with more than 40 other singers from across the state in the competition sponsored by radio station Kowaliga Country 97.5 and held at the Horseshoe Tavern in Dadeville.

“When it came down to the last two people (she and Becky Folmar), it was nerve wracking,” said Knight. “It was intense.”

During the four weeks of competition, Knight, a country music performer, sang a total of eight songs. She said her mother helps her with her song selections.

“My mom plays a big part in that. She’s like my manager. We call her the ‘momager.’ I would suggest things, but it had to progress–and get bigger–and better.”

This wasn’t Callie’s first rodeo. She’s competed in Kowaliga Idol for three years prior, learning the trade and working her way up the ranks. Last year, she placed second.

The prize package was worth more than $6,000 and included a $500 makeover, studio time to record a CD in Nashville, and a radio promotions/media package, in addition to smaller prizes. She has appeared in the Kenny Dean and Friends television show on the Rural TV network.

Cheering Knight on have been her biggest fans, especially her family. She is the daughter of Cassandra Knight of Wadley and Murray Knight of Roanoke. Her sister is Lauren Knight Keef of Oxford, and her grandmother is Louise Nix, also of Oxford.

Knight looks forward to her studio time. It’s important to her to record original songs rather than covers, and she is still searching for the right songs.

When the CD is done, Grass Roots promotions of Nashville will send her on a tour of 35 to 40 radio stations, doing interviews and promoting a single from the CD, which will be put into the stations’ cycle of songs.

In addition to all of this, another prospect racing around in Knight’s head right now is her upcoming high school graduation. The Handley High School senior is also a member of the school choir and has enjoyed participating in musicals at school. A dual enrollment student, she is also a member of the Southern Union Sound.

Locally, many may have enjoyed hearing her perform at events like Summer on Main and Lake Wedowee Summer Jam.

Knight said the people involved in the competition and those with Kowaliga Country have been nice and friendly to her and it has been a positive experience so far.

She said, “I’m glad I did it. It taught me a lot as a performer.”