Last day to vote in 478 Sings United competition

Today is the last day to vote in 478 Sings United, a local singing competition raising money for a nonprofit COVID-19 recovery fund.

The fifth and final round got underway Wednesday night at the renovated Mercer Music at Capricorn studios, with performances from singers Blane Dunam and Bailey Grace.

United Way of Central Georgia Communication Director Laurie Stauter thanked both competitors for making the trip back to Capricorn for the competition’s finale.

“We just threw this all on them like two days ago,” she said.

The 478 Sings United competition was created by the United Way of Central Georgia, Mercer University, Visit Macon, 100.9 FM The Creek and WGXA to generate funding for the United Way’s Central Georgia COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

The competition allows people to vote for local artists in a bracketed tournament, with each vote costing at $1 donation to the fund.

Grace drove from out of state to attend the event and both participants’ families remained out of state. The event was broadcast on Facebook live, including recaps of the finalists’ first few rounds.

“I’m just so proud of how brave she is to put herself out there as an artist,” Grace’s mother Amy Pattison said before her performance.

Dunnam recounted his musical journey to the audience before going on stage.

“I grew up in a musical family and we just always sang together in church, or wherever else. And right now I’m a worship leader in my church and I also play shows around town. I record music too, and it’s really something I’m pursuing as a career,” Dunnam said.

The winner of the redemption round, Lizzie Driggers, also gave a performance before the final round got started.

“As we keep saying, every vote is just $1 and every dollar goes right back to our community to help people in need through the COVID-19 fund,” Stauter said before closing out the night.

The United Way has announced six rounds of grants from the recovery fund going to local nonprofits, schools and other agencies assisting local communities respond to COVID-19 needs. Those organizations, however, are not the only ones benefiting from the contest.

According to unitedwaycg.org/Sings, the winner of the contest will receive $2,500 and the opportunity to perform at the season-opening Mercer Bears football game on Sept. 12 as part of the 2020 Ford Mercer Concert Series. They’ll also be able to record a track at Capricorn.

Voting is available from now until midnight. Go to www.unitedwaycg.org/sings to vote until then. For updates on voting, visit www.facebook.com/478SingsUnited