Yes, I am an AI fan. I have the first 9 digits of the voting line programmed into my phone. (Had to do that a couple seasons ago after a late night misdial! LOL) DH and I have spent up to 5 hours a week watching the fresh new talent and trying to predict who America will support with their vote. Tonight, we will say goodbye to another idol hopeful.

Back in the day, we had Star Search. Remember that show??? If AI was around back then, I could think of several people who would have auditioned at one of their mass cattle calls. They would have killed for an opportunity like that and I wonder how they would have done. I’m sure a few would have made it to Hollywood.

While I never aspired to have a recording contract, I had a “dream” to get into a vocal travel group while growing up. It was THE group to get into on campus. I had participated in various vocal performance groups through high school and college both for fun and competition. While in college, I spent 2 years in a vocal touring group before auditioning for the travel group.

Now, I don’t consider myself to have a fantastic voice or range, but I loved to sing. I was incredibly surprised to find out that I made it past the first cuts when some of my vocal music major friends did not get their “golden ticket”. I also made it through second cuts and was in the final 12. The last audition was a blending session with the potential members of the two travel groups of five.

I should have done my homework: I didn’t know who was returning to audition from the previous year’s travel group. Afraid that I might not have a strong enough voice, I opted to try out as an alto although my natural range is 2nd soprano. If I had done my homework, I would have known a soprano position was open and was less competitive. There were three new vocalists and basically only one spot open.

I didn’t know if I’d make it, but I turned down a yearbook editor position (another “dream” I sought) because I had to make a choice before the final cuts.

Unfortunately, I and another alto were sent packing. I was one of 300, then 25, then 12. It was a compliment to make it that far, but still a bittersweet, second place win. Oh well!

Looking back, if I had been in travel group, I would have been gone all summer and 80% of the weekends of the school year… I might not have met DH. He was a music minor and we met the following year when our vocal groups collaborated to cut a demo CD. (Some writers were trying to get their new musical published.)

Together, DH and I get a kick out of watching AI performances and the judges’ critiques. As the group gets smaller, I don’t envy the intense pressure the contestants must feel. DH and I both like Chris and Katherine. Any predictions on who will be in the finale?!?

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By TVJunkie Jenn | No Comments »
Filed under: American Idol