Nebraska Pride IDOL 2007

Chad Williams

Trials and tribulations. . .our Nebraska Pride IDOL 2007 has been through it all. And came out shining!  Chad entered the competition at the urging of a friend, and left as the first runner up for that prelim. Later, after a contestant dropped out, he became a finalist. And with a huge audience vote behind him, he emerged as Nebraka Pride IDOL 2007! From the beginning, Chad, like all our IDOLS, had a sound all his own. A little country and a little pop. Late in fall of 2007, after an amazing summer of performing at various Midwest Pride Festivals, Chad was informed that he had a tumor, possibility cancerous attached to his jaw. After several months off from singing, Chad emerged from the hospital, cancer free and tumor free! Although his recovery was many more months, Chad proved his commitment as a Pride IDOL by jumping right back into the performing scene just as Season 5 kicked off. Just as each previous Pride IDOL honed their own look and sound, Chad has stayed true to his - almost always casual with a personality that anyone would love! As the fourth in a line of accomplished vocalists, Chad and partner Jeremy (Pride IDOL 2005) spent time in the studio producing a mini CD of their signature songs. Proving that nothing is greater than prayer, trust and commitment, Chad has emerged as one of the most tried and true IDOLS to date!  You can email him at

Nebraska Pride IDOL 2006

Ryan Klaus

The grunge rocker! Ryan took Season 3 by surprise.  Having competed in Prelim #2 at FLIXX Video Bar, Ryan wowed the judges and audience that evening.  But then he disappeared for most of the rest of the season.  As Finals drew closer, we wondered if Ryan would be competing. . .but he came out of the shadow right at the end of the season to get a little practice in before Finals. Ryan was not ashamed or afraid to tell us or anywhere where he had been.  Outside influences had gotten ahold of his life and he needed time away to straighten out his priorities.  As only the IDOL family could and would, we welcomed him back with open arms - glad that he was ok!  But, having missed most of the season and the extra practice that all the other prelims afford each finalist, the question remained - how would Ryan fair against some very seasoned vocalists who had qualified. The night of Finals 2006, Ryan took that stage with different costumes and music that captured the audience as well as the judges.  In the end, Ryan surprised everyone by taking the 2006 IDOL title.  Since Finals, Ryan has been extremely active in many performances and was a featured vocalists during the 2006 National Coming Out Day events.  As Nebraska Pride IDOL, Ryan has discovered not only a chance to further his performing talents, but also in helping to advocate for a clean and sober lifestyle!  We are all proud of Ryan and his dedication to our charities! You can email him at

Nebraska Pride IDOL 2005

Jeremy Young

The adorable one!  At this point, IDOL had become a 10 event series.  Jeremy competed half way through the season at Prelim #5 at FLIXX Video Bar.  Winning the judges and audience over, he advanced to the Finals in May of 2005 when the IDOL competition was moved to the MAX in Omaha.  When the night was over, Jeremy had actually be announced as the 1st Runner Up for 2005.  The final results were razor close....in fact, once again, the judges had voted for one contestant and the audience another.  But because of changes in the scoring system, the judge's score edged out the audience.  But things would not stay this way as the year progressed. . . Halfway through the year, we found out that the Nebraska Pride IDOL was moving out of state and would not be able to fulfill the responsibilities of the title.  We quickly approached Jeremy and he didn't even think twice about stepping forward to assume the 2005 title!  A Step Down/Crowning Show was planned and during that show, the first 2005 IDOL presented Jeremy with a check for $250 to represent that amount of money that was awarded.  Jeremy immediately announced that the check was going directly to Camp Kindle - he would not keep any of it!  The sign of a true Nebraska Pride IDOL!  In fact, Jeremy and his partner also stepped forward to sponsor the $500 Prize Money for the 2006 Competition, helping to ensure that every dollar raised went toward our charities! Jeremy continued to perform and raise money for our charities.  His style and choice of songs always won over any audience he was performing at.  When the time came to say goodbye to Jeremy, it truly was as if he had served an entire year with the title!  Without him, Nebraska Pride IDOL would not have continued to Season 3! You can email him at

Nebraska Pride IDOL 2004

Misty Stokes

The original!  Misty competed back in May of 2004 when the very first Pride IDOL competition was held at the JOY in Omaha.  A one night event, 9 vocalists stepped forward to compete for the first ever title.  At the end of the night, the judges had selected one contestant and the audience selected another.  A tie breaker at the last minute with the judges having the final decision, resulted in Misty being crowned the very first Nebraska Pride IDOL.  After the competition, it was decided to expand the event and also to pick a charity partner to help raise money for along with Nebraska Pride the next year.  Having just returned from a day at camp, Misty was very persuasive that Camp Kindle needed and deserved our support.  After visiting their website, we all agreed that she was right.  Camp Kindle became the "permanent" charity partner of Pride IDOL! During her year, Misty performed almost every weekend, helping raise money for many, many other groups.  She also was the major force behind promoting the competition series for 2005 as her continuous pressence out in public helped make everyone familar with Nebraska Pride IDOL and its charities.  Misty did not stop her involvement once a new IDOL was crowned.  In fact, she is largely to thank for helping to contiue the success of IDOL here in Nebraska.  In 2006, she stepped forward during Finals to help emcee the competition which added a new element to the evening's event!  Not content to being the original, Misty has continued to "set the bar" of involvement for all IDOLS who follow her.  Without her, Nebraska Pride IDOL simply would not exist today! You can email her at