Could Gainesville singer be “The Next?”

Jordan Baird, 21, a Gainesville singer, faces the next hurdle to become the winner of the CW Network’s “The Next,” a new TV show that provides proven vocal artists throughout the country with star mentors to propel them to success. “The Next’s” winner receives a $1.5 million Atlantic Records recording contract and a tour with his mentor. Joe Jonas is Baird’s mentor.

A pop, R & B and soul singer/songwriter, he is used to performing in front of large audiences. The Stonewall Jackson High graduate is a church worship leader. As a George Mason University walk-on basketball player he has sung the National Anthem before games. He survived several cuts on 2009’s American Idol before being eliminated as cities trimmed to 12 contestants.  His break for “The Next” came when Ken Kocher, a local band manager, overheard a producer on his phone in an airport say he needed another “The Next” contestant in Baltimore. After Kocher quickly played him a Baird You Tube video, the producer had Baird audition in May, which propelled him as one of four competing in the Baltimore quarterfinals.

A mentor was assigned to each contestant from Orlando, New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Baltimore. Joining Jonas are Gloria Estefan, John Rich and Nelly as mentors from various musical genres.

Jonas spent 72 hours in Gainesville and Manassas preparing Baird. He joined a Life Music Academy class Baird was teaching, delighting the students. Jonas went to Baird’s church and house where they played table tennis, shot pool and jammed together. Jonas insisted Baird sing while they played basketball and did pushups, together.

“He has been singing for a long time,” Baird said of Jonas, who is 23. The two have much in common. Like Baird, Jonas first sang in church with his brothers with his father as pastor. “He helped me with my stage presence,” said Baird. “It is a huge stage at the Hippodrome in Baltimore, and I have to have presence over it all.”  Jonas told Baird, who said he had always put church and family first, for this opportunity he needed to put himself first.

On “The Next’s” Aug. 23 show, in front of family and friends, Baird won raves from the mentors singing Gavin DeGraw’s “Not Over You,” according to a press release. Mentors were quoted as saying,,,

“You did amazing,” Jonas said. “Good job, brother.”

Rich asked, “Where have you been?” suggesting Baird should already be a star.  He commented on Baird’s humility. 

Nelly said, “You looked like a star and sounded like one.”

Estefan, the lone woman mentor, said he had the three “Cs” - Confidence, Cuteness and Cunning, adding,  “Baby, you know what you are doing.”

Audience cellphone votes crowned Baird the Baltimore winner over three polished vocalists. Along with the five city winners and 18 television fan-favorites among previous non-winners, Baird will compete in the semifinals at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. These air live on CW at 9 p.m. on Sept. 27, and Oct. 2.  A two-hour finale is on Oct. 4, and television viewer votes will decide the winner. Baird left Gainesville in mid-September to rehearse in Los Angeles.

Could Jordan Baird be “The Next”? Will he continue as worship leader in Manassas at The Life Church where his parents, David and JoAnn Baird, are senior co-pastors, his brothers, Josh and Justin, and fiance, Michelle Fragar, are worship leaders with worship pastor, Russell Fragar? His performances and local votes could make him a superstar. “The Next” information, with Baird and Jonas videos, is at http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-next.