In downtown Denver, on the hip Market Street, lies The Soiled Dove, one of the area's premiere singer/songwriter clubs. Although it showcases mainly rock acts, by the looks of the flashy "Soiled Dove" sign and brick walls, you would think you would hear some jazz or possibly even a comedian. Nevertheless, this was a perfect place for a full house to view the finalists of the Denver Talent Search.

The diversity of the evening's performers was especially apparent in Beth Quist and Tina Malia's East Indian-influenced "Om Asatona Sad Gamaya" and Olga Mundling's cover of the Jimmy Cox blues tune, "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out."

Runner up Kristina Ingham looked very similar to an early Sarah McLachlan (complete with two side braids) and grand prize winner Melanie Susuras' (whose grandmother was in the crowd) strong vocal performance reminded me of Martina McBride.

The second grand prize winner, Wendy Woo, wowed the crowd when she "tapped" her guitar, using the body as a drum.

Serving as MC was Jackie from Alice 106 (10a-3p) and judges for the night were:

• Jason Miller - Vice President Talent, Universal Concerts
• Tracey Taylor - with Jamie, Frosty & Frank - ALICE 106 (6a-10a)
• Isis Casanova - 9 News Entertainment Reporter