SULLIVAN - Eric Yoder, according to David Moellenkamp, "has always been one of those eager kids, one of the awesome ones."
And that just might give him a shot at being an "American Idol."After reaching the final 32 contestants a few weeks ago, Yoder appears at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, on the Fox network.Moellenkamp, who was Yoder's director during his years as a Sullivan Singers Show Choir member, plans to be among those watching "American Idol" Tuesday. That's when Yoder reaches for the next level in the artistic competition that promises a recording contract as a grand prize.Moellenkamp began working with Yoder when he was in eighth grade. He remembers him starring as Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and in "Guys and Dolls," as well as frequently singing solos during show choir competitions.In 1997, Yoder was also one of five graduating seniors to be honored by the Herald & Review as music award winners in the "Classiest of the Class" publication. In his biography for that honor, Yoder said, "My talents are not exclusively singing, running or academics. I am a rounded individual who thrives off a lot of God-given talent.""He was always one of those kids who stood out," Moellenkamp said.On the "American Idol" Web site, Yoder says he had no formal singing training but began singing in church with his mother and brothers when he was "very small."Yoder, 25, now lives in St. Louis, Mo. He started on the "Idol" audition trail in the summer with more than 70,000 others.He graduated from Saint Louis University Parks College of Engineering and Aviation in 2002 with a bachelor of science in aeronautics degree. According to Saint Louis University, while Yoder was a student he starred in the 2001 production of "Godspell" and participated in its all-male a cappella group Bare Naked Statues.During his "Idol" Web interview, Yoder said most people would be surprised to learn he is a pilot and singer."… People can't comprehend it when I tell them or that I sing. Only my close friends know. I'm not a person who sings all the time."Yoder, his family and friends are currently barred from interviews according to an agreement made when he entered the contest.How to VoteCentral Illinois residents - and the rest of the nation - can vote for their favorite contestant on "American Idol" for the two hours immediately after the show's end Tuesday, Feb. 24.Viewers vote by calling in. During the show, each contestant, including Sullivan's Eric Yoder, is assigned a toll-free phone number and a text message short number (which works only for AT&T Wireless customers). The toll-free number will not work before the show ends, nor will it work from a pay telephone.Results of Tuesday's voting will be broadcast live Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m.Area residents can also voice their support for Yoder before Tuesday's performance by calling Lite Rock 105.1 WEJT that day between 6 and 9 a.m. to the "Chris & Tara in the Morning" show. Calls for "Eric Yoder Day" should go to 428-1051.Arlene Mannlein can be reached at 421-6976.
