Colton Berry settles back home after "American Idol"

It’s been a pretty crazy seven months for Colton Berry.

Since August, he’s directed plays for ShenanArts, finished high school, turned 18 and traveled back and forth to the West Coast “five or six times.”

And of course there’s the little matter of appearing as one of the top 24 contestants on one of the highest-rated television shows in history, becoming known to American Idol fans across the country and abroad and jump-starting his career doing what he’s “always wanted to do.”

So begins an article in today's Waynesboro News Virginian about this local celebrity. Read it all here.

Colton Berry, Augusta's "American Idol," recognized by BOS

Colton Berry receives commemoration for "American Idol" achievement.

Colton Berry, 18, the Wilson High School student who recently appeared on "American Idol," was commemorated Wednesday night by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors. A resolution recognizing his achievement was passed and presented to him as he stood with his parents before the Board.

Local's appearance on "American Idol" pulled many to nightspots....

Reporter Sage Merritt and photographer Rosanne Weber of the Waynesboro News Virginian interacted with patrons at the Clocktower Restaurant in downtown Staunton Tuesday night as locals flocked around the usual TVs placed around the restaurant as well as the large-screen TV specifically brought in for the big event.

Local resident Colton Berry was appearing on "American Idol" ... and SWAC area residents gathered to see how this young man would do. Some knew the 18-year-old; others who had never met him were proud, nonetheless, of a local young man trying to make it big.

Quoted in the News Virginian was SWACer Alex Davis who knows Berry from high school and local theater:

"He did well," said Alex Davis, 20. "It takes a lot to get up there and compete with folks from around the country. Getting one of Staunton's own out there is definitely a good thing."

At 10:00 when the show went off the air, cell phones went into action to vote for Berry. Results will be announced on a live episode of "American Idol" on Fox Thursday night at 8:00. If Berry makes it past that, he will appear again next week.

As one who has not watched "American Idol," it was intriguing to think that the hometown boy was on national TV. It still didn't stop me from half-seriously asking the waitress if we could turn the big screen TV to the presidential returns to catch primary news. The ultimate political junkie....

Good luck to Colton Berry.

Augusta County's own "American Idol"?

The name on the lips of many around the SWAC area these days is Colton Berry, the 18-year-old who made the cut to appear on tonight's "American Idol" TV show on Fox from 8-10:00 p.m. Will he go on? Tonight's show will tell as viewers vote with results being announced Thursday night.

Colton is well known with the local theater folks so they will be tuned in to see how he does. The Waynesboro News Virginian urged folks to "join the discussion as Augusta's Idol, Colton Berry, tries to win over the hearts of America on 'American Idol' at www.NewsVirginian.com.