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With contestants coming from as far as Virginia Beach, Va., Ryan Weinsheimer brought South Philadelphia flavor to the second annual Wawa Talent Show last week.
One of several events taking place during the 11-day Wawa Welcome America! celebration, the June 29 singing competition was an “American Idol” style contest held at Independence Mall, Sixth and Market streets, that pitted 11 Wawa regional employees — selected from a field of 200 — against each other.
Although he does not sing professionally, the resident of Fourth and Daly streets, certainly seemed at home during his performance of “Cry Me a River” in front of hundreds of onlookers. He did not win in the end, but Weinsheimer belted out every word with a palpable energy, never missing a note.
“I’m always nervous right before I go on,” Weinsheimer said. “But once it starts, I just go with it. Plus I have a lot of family and the entire [Wawa] store is here to watch me.”
Weinsheimer, a general manager at the 1707 Arch St. location, has been living in South Philadelphia for four years. Growing up in Haverford, Weinsheimer was attracted to singing at a very young age, participating in local church and school choirs. While he never took lessons, Ryan has always had access to talented musicians.
“I was always in chorus or chamber or advanced classes [in high school]. You could say I took lessons basically because my teacher was a trained singer who did classes outside of school,” Weinsheimer said.
His talent may have come from his mother, Susan Weinsheimer, and grandmother, Josephine Reeves, who also are singers.
“My father [Bruce Weinsheimer] is quick to point out it didn’t come from him,” he said.
Weinsheimer, who has been a Wawa employee for 10 years, mostly sings for his own enjoyment with friends and has sung in coffee shops in the past. Last year, Ryan tried out for the inaugural talent show and his work associates encouraged him to give it another try.
“After I tried out [last year], some of the other general managers found out that I could sing,” Weinsheimer said. “One of my bosses was one of the judges, so this year she was pressing me to try out.
“I’m in a Center City store, so I’m always down to help promote the store anyway I can.”
Weinsheimer mostly prepared for the competition by singing on his own during his days off of work.
The finalists began the competition with a rendition of “Proud To Be an American.” Each contestant made their way to the stage as the judges — Sports & Entertainment Financial Group principal of music and entertainment Shawn Gee, Live Nation’s Mid-Atlantic Region President Geoff Gordon, WMMR’s Jamie Frankel and City Representative Melanie Johnson — looked on. Even though the judges did not announce him as the winner, who received an iPad 2, a $250 iTunes gift card and an opportunity to perform on one of the entertainment stages at the July Fourth Party on the Parkway event, Weinsheimer continued with high spirits.
“I was happy with my performance. It wasn’t like anyone else, so I was perfectly happy with it,” Weinsheimer said. ”I went and did what I had to do. I thought we all did very well and you know only one person could actually win.”
Despite falling short of the ultimate prize, he was still a part of the celebration.
“I ended up working the Party on the Parkway anyway handing out beverages as an associate,” Weinsheimer said, “so I was still a part of all the festivities.” SPR
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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