Yellowknife (July 30/04) - One of the top nine finalists in the popular television show Canadian Idol has been getting an unexpected boost from the North.

Bonita Hussey of Yellowknife have been busy drumming up Canadian idol votes for their cousin Jason Greeley of Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland. Greeley is in the top nine in the contest, and has lots of support from NWT voters. - Lisa Scott/NNSL photo

Jason Greeley of Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland, can thank NWT residents for a portion of the votes that kept him in the running.

His cousins Bonita and Raymond Hussey of Yellowknife say his popularity stems from his musical talent and also the large population of Newfoundlanders in the North.

"He's got a good support team from people in the NWT who don't even know him except through his talent," says Bonita, who moved from Newfoundland to Yellowknife 17 years ago.

"I think it's also because they recognize this guy as a Newfoundlander," she says.

The announcer mistakenly referred to Greeley as coming all the way from "the Great White North," says Hussey.

Whatever the reason, the Husseys have jumped on the Idol bandwagon, trying to spur Northerners on as one of the top nine competitors is voted out of the competition each week.

They are distributing flyers with a picture of Jason -- Ricky Martin look-alike -- and instructions on how to vote.

They advise fans to use the redial command and text messages when voting.

The show, which started out with 32 finalists and started eliminating them July 21, accepts votes at 10 p.m. after each Wednesday's show. Two million Canadians cast their votes last week.

As family members, the Hussey's feel it's their job to promote the 27-year-old singer. They don't plan on stopping until he is the next Canadian Idol.

Newfoundland vacation

They'll be in Newfoundland on vacation for the next few rounds of the show, but their support won't end when they are on the road. "We're going to be following and watching him and calling from the phones at whatever hotel we're staying in," she says.

Greeley seems to have an in with the judges after the first round of eliminations, as judge Jake Gold told him "As far as performing goes, you're the best we've got," after his Brian Adams rendition.

With the help of his Northern fan base, he may even end up wearing the Idol crown seven weeks from now.