Okie Idol’s final six to perform Wednesday at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs
CLAREMORE, Okla. – Siblings Travis and Hayley Peck have been close their entire lives. Now the duo is closer than ever as they are among the six finalists competing in Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs’ inaugural Okie Idol.
The weekly karaoke competition began May 5, with more than 80 people singing one minute of a favorite song as three judges shrunk the field to 48. Throughout June, three contestants advanced each week. Ultimately, the winner will walk away with a $2,500 cash prize, while second place pockets $500 cash.
It wasn’t until the last week of May that the Pecks entered the competition.
“My wife heard about it on the radio and said she thought I should go for it,” said Travis, 27, a Claremore resident and video services coordinator at Level3 Communications. “I sing almost all the time, rarely in public, but for fun. I called up Hayley and said there was a last chance and we should go. Now we’re in the top six.”
Even with the money at stake and Okie Idol contenders slimmed to six, both Travis and Hayley claim there is no sibling rivalry and that they are rooting for the other to win it.
There hasn’t even been much trash talking. No friendly wagers. Just undying support.
“I’ve been singing my whole life, and he has always been incredibly supportive,” said Hayley, 23, a corporate communications consultant for ONEOK, Inc. “He’s always sung too, but has never really done anything like this before, and I absolutely love that the role is finally reversed. It makes me so proud to see him up there.
“Of course we’ve thrown a few jabs each other’s way, but in the end we’re both having so much fun. I think we’re equally as excited for each other as we are ourselves.”
En route to the finals, Travis has performed Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” Brooks’ “The Thunder Rolls” and America’s “Sister Golden Hair.”
As for Hayley, who recently moved from Claremore to Tulsa to be closer to work, her song selections have been Bonnie Raitt’s “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About,” Tracy Chapman’s “Gimme One Reason,” Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and “Come to My Window” by Melissa Etheridge.
On Wednesday, four of the six contestants will perform for the last time at 7 p.m. The Pecks are joined by Claremore’s Dorothy Helt, Inola residents Clinton Hull and Hannah McDaniel, and Foyil resident Waylon Weaver. Not surprisingly, Travis and Hayley hope it’s a family showdown on July 28 at Will Rogers Downs.
“I would much rather lose to Hayley, because I can join in the celebration and fun,” Travis said. “If I was to lose to a stranger, we’d shake hands and that’s the end.”
Maybe the only thing the Pecks disagree on is what to do with the $2,500 cash prize if one of them wins.
For Travis, it could go toward a family vacation to Six Flags or maybe some upcoming concerts he and his wife, Jessica, plan on attending.
If Hayley wins the cash, she said she wants to thank her friends and family for all the support they’ve provided her and Travis throughout the last two months.
“I’d spend it on a round at the bar for all our friends and family who have been coming to support us,” Hayley said. “With that crowd, I’m pretty sure the winnings would be gone before we left. We’ve been very fortunate to have such an awesome group of supporters.”
But who knows? The Peck siblings have had so much fun each week throughout Okie Idol, they are considering taking their vocal talents to the next level.
“Maybe we can start singing together soon,” Travis said. “Everyone has dreams of being rich and famous. I think it would be cool to be paid to sing.”
If the Pecks finish first and second, Travis’ dream would already have come true.
Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is located three miles east of Claremore on Highway 20. For more information, visit www.cherokeestarrewards.com or call (918) 283-8800.