‘RELEASE LIVE’ shines with local talent

Chadron State College’s eighth annual “RELEASE LIVE” hit the stage Saturday in Memorial Hall’s Auditorium.

This year’s performance went away from the talent show that it has been in past years. “Release” featured three major artists this year: “Living in Air,” Freddy Culp, senior of Mililani, Hawaii, and Karl “Minor” McFarlene, senior of Montego Bay, Jamica.

Signature Resolution, CSC’s A Capella group consisting of seven members, started the night off with a stunning performance that was “pitch perfect.”

The next group to take the stage was “Living in Air.” The group featured Arielle Tiensvold, senior of Rushville. The band was made up of Nicole Blaylock, freshman of Chadron, and Lauren Morris, junior of Centennial, Colo., on backup vocals; Tom Frear, junior of Columbus, on drums; Travis Hency graduate student of Chadron on bass guitar; and Tanner Johns, sophomore of Alliance, on guitar. The group performed “Holding Out For A Hero,” by Ella Mae Bowen, “Waiting for Charlie,” by Etta James, “Saw Red,” by Sublime, and many others.

Culp and Tiensvold’s duet of “Roar,” by Katy Perry, had the crowd clapping along.

There was a break between sets in which Alex Rodriguez, senior of Carolina, Puerto Rico, took the stage and recited his heartfelt poem.

Culp wowed the audience with his voice and piano playing. He showed a wide variety of talent by singing an R&B song by Chris Brown, “Yo” and then a country hit mix-up of “Invisible” and “Wanted,” by Hunter Hayes. He also sang one of his originals, “Real Man.” Culp finished up his set with a Christan song, “Because Of Who You Are” with saxophone player Drew Kasch, sophomore of Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Last but not least to take the stage was McFarlene who sang and danced to many of his original songs. McFarlene, who helped set up this year’s “Release Live,” was pleased with how the event turned out.

“Release Live” was McFarlene’s last big performance at CSC. He said it was a “bitter sweet” performance.

McFarlene’s performance wouldn’t have been the same without his backup dancers: Katie Kosnjek, senior of Omaha, Jessica Stodola, junior of Clarkson; Crae Carpenter, sophomore of Saint Charles, Ill.; and Siopea HoChing, junior of Chadron.

The dancing didn’t stop at the end of the 2014 performance, instead the party continued over to the Student Center Ballroom where The Pit hosted the Party with the Stars.

McFarlene gave special thanks to the people who made “Release Live” possible this year including: Joshua Scheler, sophomore of Box Elder, creative director; Christina Scheler, junior of Box Elder, Laure Sinn, student activities director; and HoChang.

“They really helped make my vision come true,” McFarlene said.