Quest for the Best is always one of the biggest and best nights of the year in Fort Frances!
So many incredible singers and musicians take to the stage under the Big Tent at the Sorting Gap Marina to showcase their talent.
The judges always have difficult decisions to make when it comes to who will walk away with prizes. Diane Maxey, Mike Andrusco and Callahan Armstrong were once again up to the task this year as they lent their musical and performance experience and expertise to the festivities.
The performers are always backed by “The Faculty”. This band is truly special. They learn 20 plus songs in the span of a couple of weeks. They rehearse with all of the contestants and make them sound even better! Chris Denby, Steve Denby, Rob Donaldson and Jim Newman are essential to the success of Quest year in and year out. These musicians truly rock!
Photo Courtesy Facebook/Chris Denby
The contestants are divided into two performing sets and the winners of each set move on to a “Battle Song” finale to decide the overall winner and runner up.
Ken Kellar, who performed “The Power of Love” from Huey Lewis and The News, took first place in Set #1.
Dave Miller performed “Sometimes I Don’t, Sometimes I Do”. His choice is actually a song that was written and recorded by his nephew TJ Miller, who is a rising star in the world of country music! It propelled him all the way to first place in Set #2.
Ken and Dave then faced off in a duet of the Rick Astley hit “Never Gonna Give You Up”.
The judges say it was a VERY close contest. In the end, Ken Kellar is the winner of Quest for the Best 2023!
The Grand Prize was donated by The Window and Door Store who were a MAJOR sponsor of the entire event!
The Runner Up Prize was donated by Badiuk’s Powersports.
Over THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS in prize money was given away!
Here is a list of the other award winners, their song choices and the generous sponsors of each prize…
Second Place Set 1 – Good Impressions Printing – Damien Hunt -“Ring of Fire”
Second Place set 2 – Super 8 Motel – Heather Newman – “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”
People’s Choice Set 1 – Green’s Brand Source – Ken Kellar – “The Power of Love”
People’s Choice Set 2 – The Standard Insurance – Adrian Indian – “Enter Sandman”
Rookie – Causeway Insurance – Don Zucchiatti – “Play That Funky Music”
Showstopper – M.L. Caron Electric – Adrian Indian – “Enter Sandman”
Band’s Choice – The Faculty – Jordan Fournier – “Tore Down”
Dark Horse – NCDS – Stacie Steinberg – “Don’t Stop Believing”
The show was rounded out by many more amazing musicians. Here are their names and the songs they performed…
Joey Payeur – “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”
Samantha Stone – “Rock Star”
Dave Allison – “Turn The Page”
Alex Denby – “Enemy”
Dennis Morrisseau – “Stuck In The Middle With You”
Shaun Galusha – “Original Song”
Shelby Hunt – “Wagon Wheel”
Abby Calder – “Piece By Piece”
Ky Boshey – “All Around Me”
Liam Dent & Lily Wyder – “Leaving On A Jetplane”
Emma Haliuk – “Follow Your Arrow”
It was a pleasure to emcee Quest For The Best once again this year and 93-1 The Border was also proud to be a show sponsor!
Cheers to all the performers and organizers of another very successful event!
