So, yesterday I auditioned for "West Michigan" American Idol put on by Fox 17 at the gorgeous East Kentwood High School (Wednesday July 1, 2009). Apparently there are several impostor competitions, one in which the winner of the competition gets to sing in... a park. Oh Yeah! But, this was the real deal and the winner actually gets airfare and hotel paid to go to the semi-finals in Denver
Why I Auditioned
Let me first tell you the reason I came to do this. One day after working at Bob Evans I was airing out my frustrations to my mom (who would watch watching my two boys for my wife and I while we are working). I was frustrated that I wasn't getting much opportunity to sing or to challenge my voice. I already sing back-up vocals at my church and I used to fill in to lead worship when our regular worship leader was away. I already volunteered to perform more songs at my church after we receive offering. Hopefully, it will help me to better discipline my voice when I am nervous. What I really want to do is start a worship band and write music, but that is yet to come. Anyway, my Mom suggested that I audition for West Michigan American Idol, so I registered and got accepted.Why I Auditioned
The Line Experience
The doors opened for registration at 5:00 and for the audience at 5:30. When my parents, wife, two boys, and I arrived at 4:30 the line was short the sky was gloomy and threatening to rain. I began to think no one would be showing up to audition because the doors opened in a half hour and there was only a handful of people there (not that you can literally have handfuls of people). I didn't have a coat or umbrella and I really had to use the resting room because I had been drinking so much water and orange juice to keep my throat in good condition. So, we went to Wendy's to get the boys something to eat while I "rested in the room" and yes I did sing in the bathroom, which anyone at my church can tell you that is usually the reason why I am in the bathroom is to hear myself sing. Yes, I know it's weird, but of course it's it only when I am alone. So when we arrived back at East Kentwood High School twenty minutes later the line for auditions mushroomed about fifty yards. I kept looking at all people as if I could find out by looking at them if they were a good singer or not. I made small conversation with some of the contestants asking them what they did to prepare for their audition. On guy said he didn't do anything special because he sings every day and does karaoke quite often. This made sense but I thought that singing everyday doesn't necessarily make anyone a good singer. This made me nervous because I couldn't help but think what others would think of my own singing. I am sure those who sing badly think they are at least an okay singer. The whole time I stood in line I wondered, how many of these people are really good singers and how many are the bad ones people see on TV and laugh at. They announced the doors were opening, I would soon find out.
Hi, My Name Is Bob Evans
As we entered the building a man gave everyone a list of rule which we had to sign and hand in when we reached the check-in point. I was talking to the guy ahead of me about the styles of music we would be singing. He said he sings R&B but he will be singing "Don't want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith because he knows it cold because his voice is acting up. He said he didn't even know why he was auditioning because he had a cold, but he'd try anyway. He said he worked as a salesman for a local manufacture or parts supplier then he asked where I worked. When I told him I worked at Bob Evans he laughed and said, "Funny story, that's my name." I couldn't believe it, was just unbelievable. I just laughed, it was too cool. Then I had to use the rest room again... I know, I just went, but I drank a lot of water and orange juice. Actually I was still drinking it throughout the whole experience. Thankfully I had good ole Bob Evans to hold my place inline.
The Waiting
So I handed in my papers and took on a stared wristband with a number on it and followed the line into... the auditorium? At first when we got in the auditorium I though we were in the wrong place because I thought we would be back stage until we were called out. But, I suppose we just would have to sit there until we were given further instructions. I scouted out seats for my family to take when they joined me and waited for 25 eons until they showed up. When my family came in with there big smiles and hugs I felt the biggest, warmest, fuzziest feeling I have felt in a long time. They loved me, and I loved them. I just felt the biggest appreciation for them in that moment that they were there to support me and cheer me on. I had everything I needed between them and God. God has been so good to me; it reminded me of the song I would be singing.
The Competition Begins
They called a group of people by the numbers on their bracelet and the exited the auditorium though another set of main doors opposite from the ones we entered. It seemed to be a very efficient process to get all 300 contestants auditioned in a timely manor. They started the auditions after about five or ten minutes. After seeing the first twenty contestants I only heard one contestant that was any good. I realized that both very good singers and and very bad singers were hard to come by. I would say 5% were very bad, 85% were mediocre, 8% were pretty good and 2% were exceptionally good. Even though your are all competing against each other you can't help but to cheer for the really good ones, or for that matter anyone who gave it their best shot. The entire crowd was very gracious;West Michigan is really fully of genuinely kind people, which makes me proud and grateful to live here.
My Group Is Called
So what was it like being call up? When they call my group's numbers I just stood up and thought to myself, that's me I am going to do this now I headed to the doors with the others and immediately started stretching the back of my throat, sipping more water, and humming. They lead us to the back of the stage to a hall way where we lined up against the hall. at their mark we went into a large room with tables adorn with forms and pencils, at the door we drew a poker chips; red chips go on stage, white chips go to the audition room instead, only half of us would be performing in front of the audience, but all of us would be judged. Unlike most of the people there I want to go on stage. I was used to being onstage at church and it is just easier for me to sing in front of a crowd rather than in front of just the judges staring at me with "judg"mental eyes. Plus, going on stage will help me to get over more nervousness in the future. I made a quick prayer that I would get the red chip. I put my hand in and pulled out a red chip. Yes I was going to the stage!
We went into the room and we each filled out our names on the three score cards that would later go to the three judges. After that they divided us into the white and red groups. One lady asked everyone who the best singer in my group was and I said me (not that I really believed that, but I thought I could be). Then, they told me to sing something. So I started singing my song and I heard vague sounds of approval and then a brash interruption "ALRIGHT, IT'S TIME TO GO!", yelled one of the workers from the doorway. It was nice to get a little warm up just before performing, however short it was. I really wanted everyone in my group to do well and we kept encouraging each other while we did little singing exercises together on the way to the back of the stage where we stood waiting for our turn. We could see the Judge's table and the FOX 17 hosts at the another table across the stage. I was determined not to be nervous. I was looking forward to doing well. I continued to hum silently to keep my first note in my head, the most important note of any audition.
My Time Shine
The girl in front of me did a great job, she sang a jazzy little routing, which I tried not to listen too intently to for fear of throwing of my first note. Then she was done and they told me to go up. And I did. I went up smiling. Hoping that I could get the crow excited I shouted, "Hello,West Michigan " they clapped some and then I had to sing. I didn't realize it at the time but I started just a little too high, which would throw me off at the chorus when the notes reach the apex. After my first line I felt the effects of drinking so much orange juice in such a short period of time. I had to burp! I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with this rising gas bubble when I suddenly reach the chorus, which was now too high for me to reach, so I swallowed my gas bubble and switched key in the middle of my chorus. Needles to say my thirty seconds was not salvageable even thought the song did start out great. Song ended and the crowd cheered graciously as I left only half disappointed in myself. I can now relate to the rest of the American Idol contestants that sing off key or make seemingly big mistakes, because when I got on the stage everything I practiced for so long left me when the lights and staring audience all focused on me.
Afterward
I sat down with my proud family and watched the rest of the contestants perform, some we OK, and others were not. They took a ten minute break to tally the scores and decide who would make it into the top ten. When they concluded they actually came out with a top thirteen because they could not narrow it down to ten. They called them out to perform for the finals. For the life of me I could not see they picked some of the finalist because they were not the best singers and I did not feel they had much crowd appeal. I only liked two of those they picked, of which one of those was the winner. I felt privileged to be apart of the event and I feel the winner of the contest truly deserved to win. Most of all, I felt loved; not for how well I did, but for who I was an for the brave attempt. After the contest was over cars were lined up into oblivion trying to get out of the parking lot, so my wife and I decided to play with our young boys Joel and Gavin on the hilly grass away from the traffic until everything clear. My parents waited in the car. Later we went to Culvers on Alpine because they are awesome and amazing, AND they have the best frozen custard I have ever had, ever, which is also awesome and amazing! Just like my family.
Conclusion
I was so glad to have this experience. Before I auditioned I could feel apprehensive excitement from all of those I told about my upcoming audition. They were excited for me and knew I could do well, but at the same time they did not want me to get seriously disappointed if I got shot down, because it is really competitive. I have to say that I am much more confident with the idea of competing and performing now that I have actually tried it on a bigger scale. There really is nothing to be nervous of unless you care too much about what people think of you. Also the competition is tough, but it is not insurmountable by any means. It just depends on how much you are willing to put into singing and performing. If I keep practicing all year like I did this past week there is nothing that can stop me from succeeding.
The Competition Begins
They called a group of people by the numbers on their bracelet and the exited the auditorium though another set of main doors opposite from the ones we entered. It seemed to be a very efficient process to get all 300 contestants auditioned in a timely manor. They started the auditions after about five or ten minutes. After seeing the first twenty contestants I only heard one contestant that was any good. I realized that both very good singers and and very bad singers were hard to come by. I would say 5% were very bad, 85% were mediocre, 8% were pretty good and 2% were exceptionally good. Even though your are all competing against each other you can't help but to cheer for the really good ones, or for that matter anyone who gave it their best shot. The entire crowd was very gracious;
My Group Is Called
So what was it like being call up? When they call my group's numbers I just stood up and thought to myself, that's me I am going to do this now I headed to the doors with the others and immediately started stretching the back of my throat, sipping more water, and humming. They lead us to the back of the stage to a hall way where we lined up against the hall. at their mark we went into a large room with tables adorn with forms and pencils, at the door we drew a poker chips; red chips go on stage, white chips go to the audition room instead, only half of us would be performing in front of the audience, but all of us would be judged. Unlike most of the people there I want to go on stage. I was used to being onstage at church and it is just easier for me to sing in front of a crowd rather than in front of just the judges staring at me with "judg"mental eyes. Plus, going on stage will help me to get over more nervousness in the future. I made a quick prayer that I would get the red chip. I put my hand in and pulled out a red chip. Yes I was going to the stage!
We went into the room and we each filled out our names on the three score cards that would later go to the three judges. After that they divided us into the white and red groups. One lady asked everyone who the best singer in my group was and I said me (not that I really believed that, but I thought I could be). Then, they told me to sing something. So I started singing my song and I heard vague sounds of approval and then a brash interruption "ALRIGHT, IT'S TIME TO GO!", yelled one of the workers from the doorway. It was nice to get a little warm up just before performing, however short it was. I really wanted everyone in my group to do well and we kept encouraging each other while we did little singing exercises together on the way to the back of the stage where we stood waiting for our turn. We could see the Judge's table and the FOX 17 hosts at the another table across the stage. I was determined not to be nervous. I was looking forward to doing well. I continued to hum silently to keep my first note in my head, the most important note of any audition.
My Time Shine
The girl in front of me did a great job, she sang a jazzy little routing, which I tried not to listen too intently to for fear of throwing of my first note. Then she was done and they told me to go up. And I did. I went up smiling. Hoping that I could get the crow excited I shouted, "Hello,
Afterward
I sat down with my proud family and watched the rest of the contestants perform, some we OK, and others were not. They took a ten minute break to tally the scores and decide who would make it into the top ten. When they concluded they actually came out with a top thirteen because they could not narrow it down to ten. They called them out to perform for the finals. For the life of me I could not see they picked some of the finalist because they were not the best singers and I did not feel they had much crowd appeal. I only liked two of those they picked, of which one of those was the winner. I felt privileged to be apart of the event and I feel the winner of the contest truly deserved to win. Most of all, I felt loved; not for how well I did, but for who I was an for the brave attempt. After the contest was over cars were lined up into oblivion trying to get out of the parking lot, so my wife and I decided to play with our young boys Joel and Gavin on the hilly grass away from the traffic until everything clear. My parents waited in the car. Later we went to Culvers on Alpine because they are awesome and amazing, AND they have the best frozen custard I have ever had, ever, which is also awesome and amazing! Just like my family.
Conclusion
I was so glad to have this experience. Before I auditioned I could feel apprehensive excitement from all of those I told about my upcoming audition. They were excited for me and knew I could do well, but at the same time they did not want me to get seriously disappointed if I got shot down, because it is really competitive. I have to say that I am much more confident with the idea of competing and performing now that I have actually tried it on a bigger scale. There really is nothing to be nervous of unless you care too much about what people think of you. Also the competition is tough, but it is not insurmountable by any means. It just depends on how much you are willing to put into singing and performing. If I keep practicing all year like I did this past week there is nothing that can stop me from succeeding.
2 comments:
I'm so proud of you, Ben!!! For being brave enough to do it, accepting defeat graciously, and even taking lessons from it. (like not drowning yourself in OJ next time!!!) :) Also, I wanted to compliment you on the writing. The story flowed well, and it was organized, which made it an easy read. I liked the detail you put into it, because it helped me to better imagine the experience you had. Well, I'll talk to you Sunday! Have a great Fourth of July!
If you feel called to lead worship, one of the things you could do is read books and talk to other worship leaders to see what you could do to be a better worship leader. We all have areas we can improve on but we have to be willing to take criticism and to work on the areas where we lack. Our hearts are the most important thing and living to glorify God in all that we do is the best thing we can do.. in everyday life as well as in worship leading!
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