A local nurse took out the 2004 Ridge Idol title on Saturday, beating seven other finalists for the top honour.
Twenty-eight year old Jason Webb sang to more than 400 people in the packed bowling club, impressing the crowd with his three different songs on the night.
The eight finalists were required to sing songs in the three different categories of country ballads or love songs, rock and roll or pop and rhythm and blues or soul.
Jason began by wooing the crowd with the Frank Sinatra classic It Had to Be You, and then showed his diversity as a performer by singing the rock and roll hit What's My Scene.
He finished off his performance with a rendition of the '60s classic Mustang Sally.
For coming first Jason was awarded $600 in prize money and a watch.
In second place was local Avalon Hawkins who sang Superstar, followed by It Only Happens and saved the best until last with Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
She won $250.
Third-place winner was teacher Krystal Sinclair who sang the old favourite Hopelessly Devoted from the movie Grease, then belted out I'm Outta Love before finishing off with Son of a Preacher Man. For coming third Krystal won $150.
Matt Cramp from Angledool received an encouragement award for his performances of Dancing with Jean, Steal My Kisses and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, winning a watch.
The other finalists were Mark Thompson, who entertained the crowd with Cry, This Thing Called Love and Everybody Needs Somebody; 16-year-old Penny Mullington who sang There You'll Be, My Immortal and Amazing Grace; Trina Brown who sang I'd Love You To Want Me, There's a Kind of Hush and He Ain‘t Heavy He's My Brother; and Mary Siponen who sang Looking Through the Eyes of Love, Dancing Queen and The Wedding.
All the finalists entertained the crowd but in the end there could only be one winner.
Jason is originally from Lightning Ridge but is currently working as a nurse at Goodooga.
He's been singing since he was 10 and performs in a few local bands.
"I really love all music and am influenced by Ben Harper, John Butler Trio and the Beatles," he said.
Ridge Idol organiser Kelly Tishler said she was pleased with how the night went.
"It was good and I was really happy with how it went. I thought there was some good talent," she said.
She said getting the audience to vote for the winners made the competition fairer for the entrants.
"Everyone voted so there's no coming back on the judges," she said.
Ms Tishler said they will definitely be holding another Ridge Idol sometime next year.
"We will hold another one, maybe the middle of next year, or early next year.
"The next one will be bigger and better," she said.
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