News Archives

A star is born at Youth '03

7/30/2003 News media contact: Kathy Gilbert · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn.

This report is a sidebar to UMNS story #381. A photograph of Cord Doss is available.

By Kathy Gilbert*

LINK: Click to open full size version of image
Cord Doss, a 15-year-old from Rustburg, Va., became Youth '03's "American Idol" after three days of a United Methodist "Star Search" competition held during the July 23-27 international gathering held at the University of Tennessee. Doss competed with more than 100 other talented youth to take the top spot. He sang "I Can Only Imagine" to 9,000 screaming fans. A UMNS Photo by Dewayne Lowther. Photo number 03-248, Accompanies UMNS #384
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Look out Kelly and Ruben, here comes Cord!

Cord Doss, a 15-year-old from Rustburg, Va., became Youth '03's "American Idol" when he took the stage on the night of July 26 and belted out "I Can Only Imagine," to a crowd of 9,000-plus screaming fans.

"They were screaming so loud, I couldn't even hear myself!" he said.

Doss' moment of fame came after three days of "Star Search" competition held in the United Methodist Board of Discipleship's Soul Tone stage, one of the many places youth could visit during the July 23-27 international gathering held at the University of Tennessee.

Doss competed with more than 100 other talented youth to take the top spot.

"It was awesome. It was my dream come true," said a beaming Doss soon after his performance.

"I was just standing off stage telling myself to be myself, to just sing," he said. "Everything was going through my mind at once."

Potential stars found out about Star Search when they received their registration packets July 23. No one really came prepared to compete - no one, that is, except Doss' mother.

"My mother always brings CDs," Doss said. "She is always prepared for me to sing." She even took him out shopping for the new red shirt and jeans he wore on stage. "My mom just went crazy shopping."

Doss is a member of Timberlake United Methodist Church and is active in his youth group there. His favorite Scripture is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Looking out into the crowd, he found some of his new fans had T-shirts made that summed up his moment in the spotlight: "What does it feel like to sing for 9,000 people? I can only imagine."
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*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer.

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