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NBC's 'Today' show tapes a segment for its Superstar contest, featuring Anthony Campbell, at Chancellor Baptist Church.
Frances Langford supports sister Ruth Campbell, holding Ruth's son Elijah Campbell, as they learn that Anthony Campbell moved into the top three in NBC's 'Today's Superstar' contest, during taping of the show at Spotsylvania Chancellor Baptist Church. |
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.
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More coverage • See the archive of Campbell's chat with Fredericksburg.com readers. • Audio: Listen to him sing 'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?' |
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.
Their mother, Susan Calero, said the occasion was important enough for her children to attend.
June Leszcynski of Fawn Lake said she wouldn't have missed showing her support for Campbell on national TV. A year ago, he showed his support for her after she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Campbell and members of the church praise band came to her home while she was recovering from surgery.
"They sang to me whenmy family was so down," she said.
Mike and Wendi Wynn of King George not only showed their support at the church, they're also urging everyone to vote for Campbell with a white-marker display on their Plymouth Voyager.
They penned the car window poster after traveling to New York last week to see Campbell sing. They're planning to make the trip again for his Monday performance.
"It was awesome to see him there," said Wendi Wynn, who describes herself as a longtime family friend. "It's an experience we'll never forget."
After the segment, NBC recorded words of encouragement from Campbell's family and friends. Their well wishes will air over the next week during the "Today" show.
Campbell was able to view the crowd of hometown fans live via satellite on the "Today" show set, an experience that proved overwhelming.
"It was so hard for me to keep it together," Campbell said. "It was so gratifying to see all those people there."
He felt good about his performance yesterday and said he's excited about the song he'll sing on Monday if he makes the cut. The song "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," is among his favorites. It's also suited to his voice, he said.
"It's a wonderful song," Campbell said. "I like Michael Bolton. I think I can pull it off."
Campbell said he has enjoyed getting to know departing contestant Casey Thompson.
"She's a really, really sweet girl," he said. "There's not a pretentious bone in her body. Every time she went home, she came back with gifts for us. I can't tell you how much she means to the group."
After yesterday's show, the three finalists enjoyed a limousine tour of New York City. Campbell said his favorite was the Toys "R" Us store in Manhattan.
"It's incredible," he said. "It has a Ferris wheel. Elijah went there and loved it."
To reach MARTY MORRISON: 540/374-5423 mmorrison@freelancestar.com
