BC’s Lily Comer Wins National Talent Competition
Bluefield College freshman Lily Comer was recently named the 2020 Grand Champion of the Path to Fame Virtual Talent Competition.
“I was in the chapel on campus when I found out I won,” Comer said. “I was in my practice room when I saw the email titled ‘congratulations’ come across my phone. I clicked on the email and immediately ran out of the room and found my voice coach and friend, Alandra Blume Hinkle. We both cried because we were so excited.”
Hinkle said she was not surprised that Lily was selected winner of this national competition.
“I am so excited for her,” she said. “This is an organization of merit, where Lily was selected based on her talents, efforts, and aptitude by music producers and professionals out of Nashville.”
Comer was encouraged to enter by Melissa McKinney, her music teacher and friend, after McKinney saw information about the competition on Facebook. For her video submission in the first round, Comer provided background information about herself and covered “Blue” by LeAnn Rimes. After she was declared a finalist, she recorded “You Are My Sunshine” in the style of Chris and Morgane Stapleton.
“I waited until the next day to tell my parents because I wanted to surprise my mom for her birthday,” Comer said. “They were so excited and happy for me. My family encourages me all the way. They support me and follow me wherever I go.”
As part of the prize for winning the competition, Comer receives a one-year mentorship with Nashville-based talent executive John Alexander, as well as virtual sessions with media training professionals.
“There is a lot in the grand prize, but I am really excited to talk to Grand Ole Opry member, Craig Morgan,” Comer said, “and I am excited to talk with the talent executive (John Alexander) who discovered Kelsea Ballerini.”
Winning the Path to Fame competition is just the latest addition to Comer’s list of highlights in her career, which also includes several on-stage milestones.
“I believe God has orchestrated all of this to work in her life,” Hinkle said, “and I pray she will give God the glory and try to honor Him in all she says and does.”
As the winner of the Path to Fame Talent Competition, Comer will perform at a theater in Pigeon Forge, TN, once COVID-19-related restrictions are lifted.
“I want to pursue music professionally,” Comer said. “I am studying Music Education here at Bluefield College, but my dream is to go to Nashville and make it as a country music artist. I love connecting with my crowd and meeting new people.”
Comer said she performs because she likes to see what kind of impact she can have on the audience.
“I like to play at places where people aren’t afraid to sing along and get into the music,” she said. “I also really like to play online shows, because a lot of my followers aren’t able to make it to the in-person shows, so it is fun to connect with them online.”
Music has always been a large part of Comer’s life. Her father, grandfather, and uncles made a habit of playing their guitars together. While she has always loved singing, she did not perform for a crowd until she started guitar lessons at age 14 and her teacher had her sing with some other girls.
“I didn’t know I could sing in front of people,” Comer said, “but with the encouragement and help from others, I realized that I could, and I kept on doing it.”
Comer said her favorite artist is Patsy Cline, whose style she said has had the biggest influence on her music. Other artists who have influenced her include Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Sr., and Dolly Parton.
“People may just see her looks and hear her sweet voice, but what they don’t see are the long hours she has put in practicing, honing her craft, learning from the great artists of her genre, marketing, networking, gigging, and so much more,” Hinkle said. “One of the things I admire most about Lily is her ownership of her identity, the way she has unapologetically let her upbringing, Appalachian culture, and personal tastes shape her. It’s a great reminder to all of us to ‘own’ it, whatever it is we like or know or are drawn to.”
You can connect with Comer on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and her website.