Markham
October 16, 2008 09:24 PM
Jim Thomas
A senior with connections to Markham has wowed them in a national talent contest.
Lloyd Knight, 73, was voted No. 1 out of 800 vocal and instrumental entrants from across Canada in the second annual Chartwell Senior Star competition.
The grand finale, featuring the contest’s top 10, was held in the Imperial Room of Toronto’s Royal York Hotel.
John Storms of Kingston placed second. Phyllis Sykes of Etobicoke was third. All 10 finalists received engraved, cut-glass trophies. The top three won, respectively, $5,000, $4,000 and $3,000 travel vouchers.
“When my name was announced as the winner, I was shocked,” Mr. Knight said. “It was a magic moment, a highlight in my life.”
By coincidence, it was during a haircut appointment in Pickering that his barber suggested Knight seriously consider entering the Chartwell contest, reserved for men and women 65 and over.
After giving the suggestion considerable thought, Mr. Knight visited the Chartwell residence in Markham and an audition was arranged. He sang one of his favourite gospel songs,You Raise Me Up, and was immediately selected to advance to the next round.
The numbers were reduced to 73 and then 10. Out of the finalists, Mr. Knight was the last to perform.
“I was totally amazed at the magnitude of the production,” Mr. Knight said.
The supporting cast included a seven-piece orchestra directed by Laura Lynn and a ballroom filled with 450 people. The show’s host was famed Canadian singer Dinah Christie.
The panel of judges included entertainment icon Gordie Tapp, Dan Clancy of Canadian jazz rockers Lighthouse and singer-songwriter Tim Louis.
Mr. Clancy called the quality of talent “spectacular”.
“It was difficult to select the best from the amazing 10 finalists,” he said, “but, in the end, it was the power and grace of Lloyd’s voice that won us over.”
Mike Harris, former premier of Ontario and Chartwell board chairperson, was in attendance.
Mr. Knight likened the finals to a concert rather than a competition.
“Never have I cherished such a moment,” he said, after his name was announced. “It was a surprise; a shock, because all finalists were equally good.” His wife, Miriam, was seated in the audience.
Mr. Knight plans to attend next year’s performance, but as a spectator rather than a participant.
The next day, both the winner and runner-up were guests on Breakfast Television on CITY-TV. In December, CTV will feature an hour-long review.
Born at Penetang, one of four in the family of Robert Francis and Dorothy Knight, Lloyd moved with his parents to Toronto after his father obtained work at Victory Aircraft in Malton.
It was while attending Etobicoke Collegiate Institute that he was introduced to his first real singing role, that of a soloist in an all-girl choir.
“That’s a story in itself,” he admits.
As a teen, he attended Islington Avenue Baptist Church and later the People’s Church. Following the congregation’s move to Willowdale, the quality of Lloyd’s voice was recognized by the minister of music, Dr. David Williams.
Lloyd became a regular Sunday soloist on national television. In addition, he’s traveled with Dr. John Wesley White, associate evangelist with the Billy Graham Crusade.
In November, he’s participating in a memorial service at Markhaven, Markham. He now lives in Stouffville.
As a youth, Mr. Knight had no voice training. He calls it “a gift from God”.
After their move to Stouffville, Lloyd and Miriam attended Markham Missionary Church. They now worship at Unionville Alliance.