NBC's 'Today' show tapes a segment for its Superstar contest, featuring Anthony Campbell, at Chancellor Baptist Church. smc View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Local man makes final three

300 Anthony Campbell fans at Chancellor Baptist Church root for their favorite 'Superstar' on national television

By MARTY MORRISON

Date published: 11/14/2003

By Van Morrison

Bobbie Justice might have a career as a "Today's Superstar" oddsmaker.

So far the Locust Grove woman has successfully picked the finalists for the NBC "Today" show's talent search.

Among them, Spotsylvania County crooner Anthony Campbell advances to the final three. Yesterday's win means he's safe at least until Monday when the next elimination occurs.

"I told him he was going to do it," she said yesterday as she and an excited crowd of about 300 gathered around a giant screen in the rectory of Campbell's Spotsylvania church, Chancellor Baptist.

Justice also named the contestant who would be voted off yesterday--cruise ship singer Casey Thompson.

An NBC camera crew broadcast the cheers and screams as Campbell's name was announced as one of the finalists. The contest started last month with eight hopefuls culled from 6,000 entries.

Local fans watched on a giant screen set up in the sanctuary as he sang Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" at New York City's Rockefeller Plaza.

In Spotsylvania, church viewers carried posters with messages like "We Love You Anthony" and wore original T-shirts decorated with his name.

Camera crews were stationed in the hometowns of the four finalists to record local support. Before Campbell's performance, his wife, Ruth, held 20-month-old Elijah, while being interviewed by morning-show host Katie Couric.

Justice, a housekeeper for Saturn of Fredericksburg, admits she's a bit partial to Campbell. She's worked with the 34-year-old since he started at the car dealership.

"I told him 13 years ago, he was in the wrong business," she said. "He should be singing."

Justice held up her own handmade cardboard sign that teased: "I've been with Anthony longer than Ruth [his wife], 13 years at Saturn."

Dozens of children delayed school attendance until after the performance.

Among them, Alexis Calero, 10, and Jacquelin Calero, 8, sat at the front holding posters. The Locust Grove Elementary School students know Campbell from church.

"This is fun," Alexis said. "Anthony is really nice," said Jacquelin.

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Date published: 11/14/2003