JJ Hill crowned as inaugural Pendleton Idol
By Griffin Beach on Friday, December 12th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – After four rounds of auditions, ten finalists took the stage at the Pendleton Convention Center Thursday night to decide who would be named the inaugural Pendleton Idol.
The ten finalists were: Gavin Bakker, Gracie Caldwell, Quincy Cole, Kenneth Crawley, JJ Hill, Ashley Jones, Andrew Lindsay, Cecilia Neal, Hannah Nicole and Bonnie Smythe.
All ten performed and received feedback from the judges, before Hill and Neal were selected as the final two.
Neal, who had used the instrument in the first round, brought out her banjo for her rendition of “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the Soggy Bottom Boys. Hill followed with his guitar, performing an acoustic version of Outkast’s “Hey Ya.”
The audience held the final vote, selecting Hill as the winner by only three votes. He collected $1,000 in prize money and a belt buckle.
“It was great, just to win at home in Pendleton was a big thrill for me tonight,” Hill said after collecting his check.
L to R: Host Ashley O’Toole, Cecilia Neal, JJ Hill, Judge Colleen Hull presents winners check.
