Shawn Wilder

Shawn Wilder's performances during the final night of Chautauqua Lake Idol were emotional for the audience and impressive for the judges, as the Westfield native was crowned the competiton's winner Monday.
In front of a packed crowd on the shoreline at the Floating Stage in Bemus Point, Wilder took off his trademark cowboy hat, nodded and took a humble bow after being named the sixth winner of the competition.
"Short and sweet: thank you very very much," Wilder said. "It's a dream come true."
Wilder was chosen from finalists Kira Chadwick and Steve Davis, who along with Wilder performed any two songs they wanted, not having to fit into a specific genre as in previous weeks. This resulted in some original songs, as well as classic covers.
For his first performance, Wilder sang Craig Morgan's "Almost Home," which he said was one of his favorite songs.
"I always sang it," he told the audience before his performance. "It's a little funny song, it gets everybody to giggle a little bit."
After the song, all four Idol judges gave him positive reviews.
"It amazes me someone your age can sing with the wisdom of someone much older who has gone through many more life experiences than you have," judge LouAnn Dobmeier told the 22-year old Wilder. "You gave me goosebumps and I think so many people in the crowd felt the same way."
"You have never sang a bad note for me from your audition until now," said judge Sarah Malinoski-Umberger. "Every single song that you sing I can feel that it comes from deep inside you, and that is a gift."
From a light song to an emotional one, Wilder chose to perform a song that he wrote for some close friends who gave birth to a stillborn last year. While singing "Hailey's Grace," many audience members and some of the judges were wiping away tears.
"I went through 'Hailey's Grace' all day," Wilder told The Post-Journal after he was crowned the 2009 Idol. "I couldn't get through it without getting really emotional and I was worried that was going to happen again. I really wanted to bring my passion in. I really happy I did get through it."
After the performance, he again received positive reviews from teary eyed judges.
"Music, to me, is all about telling stories," judge Mike Quimby said after Wilder's second song. "You told us a story tonight, and you told it well."
- CHautauqua Lake Living

"This song really touched our hearts, our daughter Olivia Grace was born 4 months premature. Olivia weighed only 1lb. 6ozs. and required mechanical ventilation and many IV medications to sustain her for the two weeks we were privileged to have her here with us. After many set backs while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we held Olivia while her heart beat for the last time. I really felt like the Lord led you to calling me that day. When my wife and I listened to your song we wept like that song was written for us. It was perfect!!! I wish we had this song in 2001 to have played it at Olivia's funeral. She is now a precious angel and we have her twin brother here with us. We often look at him and wonder what Olivia would be doing now and what she would look like. You are truly gifted!"

Thanks so much for your beautiful song, we will never forget it!

Daniel Covey and Family

Olivia Grace Covey
Born February 3, 2001, went to be with the Lord February 17, 2001

- Daniel Covey and Family