2008 Woodie Awards
Reality show winner to visit Empire Arts Center
Sara Tezel
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Life
On May 10, Phillip Clyde Bernier will be appearing at the Empire Arts Center in East Grand Forks. Bernier was a contestant on the ABC show "Dance War-Bruno vs. Carrie Anne," a spin-off show from "Dancing with the Stars," and was a part of the winning team Bruno.
Bernier is originally from Sterling, Va. and lived there until he attended James Madison University as a music major. After graduating college, Bernier moved to Nashville to pursue his career in music.
Bernier sings, dances, plays the drums and also writes his own music. Before his appearance on "Dance War-Bruno vs. Carrie Anne," he had to work as a server on a dinner cruise in order to make rent each month.
After being accepted onto the show and placed on Bruno's team, Bernier said that he was beyond thrilled because it was "the chance to perform, something I've always wanted to do. I worked really hard the entire time and I just loved the performance aspect of the show."
Originally thirty contestants were chosen, but after the first episode, that number was cut down to fourteen hopefuls. As the season progressed more and more contestants were sent home, but Bernier stayed until the finale where he became a part of the winning team.
The show also created numerous bonds between the contestants. "The majority of us talk to almost everyone. I've even talked to some of the people within this past week."
Fame has changed life for Bernier in numerous aspects of his life. "I've never had people come up to me that I didn't know. It was weird because all these strangers knew my name. The most exciting changed is that I am now getting the chance to perform musical at places that never would have booked me before. I now get to do what I've always wanted, the show definitely jumpstarted my career."
"I've always loved to perform," Bernier said when asked about his talent. "One of my first memories is being at a relatives wedding, I must have been about four or five at the time. We were at the reception and I was on the dance floor, busting a move, and all my relatives were clapping as I danced. Ever since then, I haven't stopped dancing or performing."
Bernier then began to speak about his "Do What You Dream" acoustic tour. "I plan on getting a band together soon. Right now I'm planning on being on the guitar and singing. There is also going to be a fiddle, and she is the background vocal."
People have been asking if Bernier will dance during his tour. "When I hear music, it's impossible for me not to move. The dancing won't be nearly on the same level as the show."
Bernier describes his music as "a blend of genres. [Empire Arts Center] will be more than just a concert, it'll be a performance with lots of joking around."
Bernier is originally from Sterling, Va. and lived there until he attended James Madison University as a music major. After graduating college, Bernier moved to Nashville to pursue his career in music.
Bernier sings, dances, plays the drums and also writes his own music. Before his appearance on "Dance War-Bruno vs. Carrie Anne," he had to work as a server on a dinner cruise in order to make rent each month.
After being accepted onto the show and placed on Bruno's team, Bernier said that he was beyond thrilled because it was "the chance to perform, something I've always wanted to do. I worked really hard the entire time and I just loved the performance aspect of the show."
Originally thirty contestants were chosen, but after the first episode, that number was cut down to fourteen hopefuls. As the season progressed more and more contestants were sent home, but Bernier stayed until the finale where he became a part of the winning team.
The show also created numerous bonds between the contestants. "The majority of us talk to almost everyone. I've even talked to some of the people within this past week."
Fame has changed life for Bernier in numerous aspects of his life. "I've never had people come up to me that I didn't know. It was weird because all these strangers knew my name. The most exciting changed is that I am now getting the chance to perform musical at places that never would have booked me before. I now get to do what I've always wanted, the show definitely jumpstarted my career."
"I've always loved to perform," Bernier said when asked about his talent. "One of my first memories is being at a relatives wedding, I must have been about four or five at the time. We were at the reception and I was on the dance floor, busting a move, and all my relatives were clapping as I danced. Ever since then, I haven't stopped dancing or performing."
Bernier then began to speak about his "Do What You Dream" acoustic tour. "I plan on getting a band together soon. Right now I'm planning on being on the guitar and singing. There is also going to be a fiddle, and she is the background vocal."
People have been asking if Bernier will dance during his tour. "When I hear music, it's impossible for me not to move. The dancing won't be nearly on the same level as the show."
Bernier describes his music as "a blend of genres. [Empire Arts Center] will be more than just a concert, it'll be a performance with lots of joking around."
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