Quartet chosen for finals of Encore Superstar karaoke competition

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Staff Photo by Grant Morris Finalist of the third installment of Encore Superstar, Bob Dicicco sings Sinatra's Night and Day in the basement of the newly opened Timber Grille on Factory Street in Nashua. Dicicco, of Westwood, Mass., will participate in the finals at Boston Billiards on Friday, March 26.

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Staff Photo by Grant Morris Becky Welper sings "I Told You So" by Carrie Underwood during the third Encore Superstar at Timber Grille in Nashua.

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Staff Photo by Grant Morris Lori Gilcreast sings "Something More" by Sugarland in a packed basement at the newly opened Timber Grille in Nashua.

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Staff Photo by Grant Morris Kim Dobbie, of Nashua, sings "Goodbye My Love" by James Blunt during the third installment of Encore Superstar at the newly opened Timber Grille on Factory Street in Nashua Tuesday night.

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Staff Photo by Grant Morris Finalist of the third installment of Encore Superstar, Bob Dicicco sings Sinatra's Night and Day in the basement of the newly opened Timber Grille on Factory Street in Nashua. Dicicco, of Westwood, Mass., will participate in the finals at Boston Billiards on Friday, March 26.

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IF YOU GO

Fourth of four Encore Superstar preliminary events.

WHERE: Pasta Loft, 241 Union Square Milford.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 9. Registration for singers starts at 7 p.m.

COST: Free to attend. $5 registration fee to compete.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.encorebuzz.com/superstar.

NASHUA – Tuesday was the first day the new Timber Grille on Factory Street was open to the public.

And, to help celebrate that opening, the Timber Grille hosted the third of four Encore Superstar preliminary competitions, sponsored by The Telegraph.

The night was filled with music selections from all eras and genres. The contestants in the karaoke event rocked out to Hoobastank, Joe Cocker and the Animals; went old school with Sinatra, the Temptations and Billy Paul, went country with Carrie Underwood and Bonnie Raitt, and brought the pop with Madonna, Sugarland, James Blunt and Alicia Keys.

Once again, the judges had a difficult task to slim the group down to four. The honors went to Robert DiCicco, of Westwood, Mass., with Frank Sinatra’s “Night and Day”; Sara Baker, of Tamworth, with Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”; Liz Diamond, of Newmarket, with Martina McBride’s “When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues”; and Taylor Noiseux, of Bedford, with Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About.”

Baker said she was excited about her win and loves to sing, while her sister Liz Diamond said the experience was “really good” and that she was there originally to support her sister.

Located across the way from the Main Street public parking lot, Timber Grille already has a great fresh vibe – “fresh” being the operative word. Owner Dan Quinn had the fortune of having a couple of local restaurant and bar owners show up to ensure that the Timber Grille opened for the event.

Paul Fody, owner of Fody’s Great American Tavern, said Quinn is “a true Nashua guy” who really cares about the downtown area. Fody was more than happy to be able to return a favor to Quinn; he has always been there to help and support starting businesses in Nashua by volunteering countless hours.

Tim Poplar, owner of Villa Banca, and his chef, Douglas Lunn, aided Quinn and chef Jaymes McMinn, along with the rest of the staff, with preparing the opening for this event to the public.

Quinn says it has been an organic experience to realize the Timber Grille. He would spend hours just staring at the bare walls and empty shell of the 54 Factory St. location contemplating what would bring people in and what kind of place it would become, and the vision speaks for itself.

On the left-hand side of the entrance, the beautiful oaken bar stretches the length of the room. With its red walls, brick inlay and dangling lamps, the Timber Grille creates a warm, cozy and friendly atmosphere and is complemented by its two large LCD TVs. Downstairs is a spacious area to sit and enjoy the fare made from scratch.

Of course, on Tuesday, one wouldn’t be able to tell that the downstairs was roomy. It was filled to the brim with excited karaoke singers and supporters. Everyone was ready to get their groove on, and groove they did.

To start things off after finishing up his volunteer work, Fody had just enough energy to belt out an over-the-top version of “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson. He did a fantastic job to create a vibe that went all through the night.

When the judges asked that the contestants really step it up, they indulged them and helped ensure that the karaoke christening of the Timber Grille went swimmingly – or, more relevantly – went harmoniously.

The Encore Superstar finals will be held March 26 at Boston Billiards.