Ten-year-old Cole Armour is spending the next few days in relative silence in Tofino, resting up his voice for what's expected to be the biggest show of his young life.

The Grade 6 Willoughby resident is one of 10 kids competing in the Red Robinson's Talent Showdown on Sunday afternoon at the Pacific National Exhibition.

The Showdown is part of the annual Vancouver fair which kicks off Saturday and runs to Sept. 7.

The talent competition pits 30 of the province's best amateur singers against each other between Saturday and Monday. The top three in each of three categories (kids, youths and adults) will then vie for supremacy in the finals on Tuesday.

To ensure Cole is ready for this challenge, and with prompting by both of his voice coaches, his parents have sequestered him at the island resort, giving him a television, books, and unlimited access to the beach in efforts to keep him quiet.

"He's supposed to rest and not talk, and let me tell you we've got our hands full with that one," said his father Ron Armour, lead vocal and front man for the past 30 years with the country band McQueen.

Cole grew up around music, with his dad touring throughout North America, and his mother Lori regularly belting out tunes on the family's karaoke machine. But in all honesty his parents had no idea of his vocal abilities until about a year ago.

"It's outstanding how far he's come. I guess I sound like a proud father, but I am," Ron said.

Cole has already competed in and won his age division at the B.C. Junior Talent Show in Cloverdale in May, and has been in the studio recording five songs for a promotional CD [www.colearmour.com.]

"He sings everything across the board right to opera," Ron said, noting that his son's pre-pubescent voice is allowing him to reach some unexpectedly high notes.

"He's amazing for a young fellow. It doesn't matter what we throw at him, he's able to perform it. And here comes this booming voice out of this little boy."

Now, admittedly that range might change as Cole ages. But with the aid of his vocal coaches, Cole's being given the tools he'll need to control his voice through those changes.

And in short order, his father hopes to incorporate the talented young man into some of his shows closer to home.

"I think he'd be an incredible add with where he's going right now," Dad said.

As for this weekend's competition, Cole will be singing a country tune by Martina McBride called Independence Day.

"He's coming out of the gate with the one that he won the championship at the BC Junior's with," Ron explained, although he is exploring all genres of music.

In the meantime, Langley Meadows resident James O'Neill is also on Red's dance card, so to speak. The 32-year-old actor and singer is no stranger to the world of competitions.

In addition to working as a DJ and managing an extras talent agency, he has been showing off his own singing abilities to the masses.

He was the male winner in June of the Langley's Got Talent competition, and last month represented BC in a national competition in Vegas.

"Needless to say I am super excited," he told the Langley Advance about Showdown.

"This is the big leagues and a chance to show my talent to some local producers. Micheal Bubl? got his start here, not to mention the awards are pretty good as well."

James will be on stage competing against nine other adults from around B.C. on Monday.

"This time I am going about it a little differently and will be singing a song my mum [Barb] has chosen, I'm Yours by Jason Mraz," O'Neill said.

"Hopefully the judges feel equally...about my performance of the song. It is a bit of a gamble, but she is worth it. This contest goes out to her."

The Showdown is one of the most prestigious talent showcases in the province, awarding $10,000 in prize money to talented British Columbia's at this year's PNE.

"Talent and the fair at the PNE have gone hand in hand for decades," said the PNE's creative director Patrick Roberge. "This program has helped launch the careers of home grown stars such as Michael Buble and Lisa Brokop."

Prizes for the 2009 Talent Showdown will be awarded for first, second and third prize each day of the four-day competition.

© Langley Advance 2009