Carleton Place's Jordan McIntosh to sing anthem at Senators game

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Tara Gesner

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EMC News - It's a dream come true for Carleton Place's Jordan McIntosh.

The 16-year-old will perform the national anthem in front of thousands of Ottawa Senators fans Jan. 8 - as the hometown boys take on the Philadelphia Flyers.

"I am very, very, very excited!" he told the EMC last week. "This means so much to me, I just can't believe it. I have always dreamed of getting to sing at Scotiabank Place with a full crowd."

McIntosh was asked approximately one week ago to perform.

"The organizer of Kiwanis Idol, Eldon Fox got an email from the Senators entertainment coordinator requesting that he (Fox) contact me and ask if I was interested in performing the (Canadian and American) anthems," he said.

In September at Place d'Orleans Shopping Mall in Ottawa, McIntosh was crowned the 2011 Kiwanis Idol. In 2010, he was the competition's first runner-up.

As game time (5 p.m.) on Sunday approaches, the local teen is "more anxious than nervous."

"I don't really get nervous because this is what I love to do, and I am comfortable doing it," he said. "I sing the anthem at the (Carleton Place) Canadians games but that is nothing compared to singing at Scotiabank Place."

McIntosh is a Senators fan, however, two of his favourite players got traded: Mike Comrie and Mike Fisher.

Watching his performance and lending support will be an abundance of family and friends.

"They wouldn't miss it for the world," said McIntosh. "Coming to watch will be my father (Greg), mother (Julie) and sister (Melissa), and her boyfriend (Kane Mills). Other family members and friends will be watching from home."

He stressed his parents are "very, very, very proud," offering full support - "no matter what" - as well as advice.

"Either I don't listen," he continued with a laugh, "or they just let me continue on and hope that everything works out for the best."

The Carleton Place High School student has been crooning since Grade 4, and it runs in the family.

"My sister and my cousin also sing," he said. "They are both very good, but they do it as a hobby instead of a career."

McIntosh is a normal teenager, and enjoys hanging out with friends. He likes trying new things, and admits to being adventurous. Oh, and he "loves" anything Disney.

"I have loved it since my first trip to Walt Disney World when I was three (years old)," he said.

In addition to McIntosh's Kiwanis Idol triumph, he won the Stars on the Rise competition at the Ottawa SuperEX in the summer of 2010. That same year he was runner up in the 1st Annual Ottawa Valley Talent Show (music division) in Carleton Place, and he participated in Almonte's Got Talent, placing second.

Along with the Kiwanis Idol title, McIntosh was presented with a trophy and recording studio package, valued at $2,000, from the event's sponsor, Hummingbird Music Ltd./ Pebble Studios. To boot, he received a music video package from Liverpool Court Studios. In addition, Attack Media Group will release one original single through its distribution deal with Interscope Records/Universal Music Group, and promote the single to radio in Canada and the United States.

"Since my win I have been doing a lot," he said. "I had to put my job at Subway on hold, in order to fit everything into my schedule, along with schoolwork."

The teenager participated in the Mississippi Mudds' winter production of Alice In Wonderland, playing the part of "Billy."

"I have rehearsals for the Kiwanis Idol concert, coming up in June," he stated. "I also have been quietly working on my career as a musician."

More about this initiative will be announced in the spring.

"Keeping up and in touch with friends and family are the two most important things in my life, along with my music," said McIntosh.

Unfortunately, the local youth will not be on Canada's Got Talent, airing on Citytv in March.

"Sorry if this disappoints anybody, but it would be getting in the way of pursuing my career as a musician," said McIntosh. "I had to turn that opportunity down."

His dream is to become a music star, someone known around the world.




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