Published: August 20, 2008 10:20 am      

Attala County native advances in ‘American Idol’

Attala County native Allison JoAnne Porter advanced to the second round of “American Idol” auditions in East Rutherford, N.J., on Tuesday.

Allison left Hattiesburg Friday in pursuit of a dream. According to a feature in the Hattiesburg American, Saturday, Aug. 16, she landed a call back and place in the top 10 out of about 200 who showed up from all over the state and Louisiana, in the Jackson competition last weekend.

The 10 top was whittled to four after a public performance. Allison placed third to earn the trip to audition in the New York City area.

She has competed since age 11. In 2006 she placed sixth in the Country Music Association’s Nashville Rising Star competition.

The Jones County Junior College (JCJC) sophomore sang “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood and “Stay” by Sugarland in the Jackson competition. In the second round competition Tuesday, Aug. 19, she sang “Fancy” by Reba McEntire.

She is president of the Student Body at JCJC, a member of the Concert Choir and the Select Voice Ensemble.

Allison is the daughter of Glenn Porter of Kosciusko and Jennifer Ward of Sumrall. She is the granddaughter of Anne Porter of Kosciusko and the late Cadman Porter, and Bennie and Jo Kimble of Ellisville, formerly of Holmes Community College.