Dreams of being an American Idol
As I walked through the front door of our hotel to check in there was a young man singing and playing a guitar in the lobby. I didn’t see a hat full of coins next to him for donations, so I simply figured that either the Comfort Suites near the Louisville Airport was a hipster hangout (unlikely) or this guy was staying for the night and liked attention. My 2nd guess wasn’t too far off.
A short time later my daughter and I were waiting to take the elevator to another floor to find a working ice machine. When the doors opened, a gruff motorcycle riding looking dude stepped out and a younger fellow wished him good luck. We then stepped in, as did a 20ish female with an American Idol wristband. I asked what the wristband was about and she said signups were today, judging was Monday. Hmm…
Walking up and down the hallway looking for the ice machine, not one, but two females were belting out songs from their rooms- one with the door open so all of the patrons could hear her more clearly.
Auditions were being held at the nearby fairgrounds and it quickly became apparent what we had walked into… American Idol Ground Zero.
Seeing these people, of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds saddened me a bit. Case in point – a car with Michigan plates with “Hollywood or Bust” written on their rear window.
Someone drove from Michigan to Louisville to audition for American Idol? And that girl I met in the elevator… she was sweet, cute and had a nice smile, but was a bit over-weight. I wished her luck, but I can’t imagine her chances are very good to be chosen to be on national television. This is all about ratings, you know. What about the Harley Davidson guy? I wonder if he sings like Barry White? I don’t see him moving on very far either. But as I heard the two young ladies practicing in their rooms, I knew this was serious, and moreover, they were singing their hearts out with the thought that they seriously had a chance against the thousands of other entrants.
As the night wore on I noticed barely a person walk by without an American Idol wristband on. I wish them all the best. I only hope that they came with no expectations and have the good sense to have some fun while they’re here.
I understand chasing your dreams, but seriously, to drive down from Michigan for this? I suppose you could accuse me of being too much of a realist - I’m not a one in a million chances kind of guy and I don’t play the lotto.
July 20th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Janis Joplin would not have made it on A.I.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Neither would Bob Dylan have ever made it on A. I.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:12 am
Well, the difference is that Janis Joplin could sing and had a great voice.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:58 am
Cheap shot.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:15 am
But true.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:43 am
I hate American Idol not only for ruining your vacation, but because it was the final nail in the coffin of a failing music industry that hasn’t put out anything good since the 90s. Now, the best selling artists aren’t geniuses with depth and something to say, (like Janis Joplin or Bob Dylan), but teens who cover Barry Manilow songs to get a “record deal.”
It’s funny you mention the girl who was overweight, because the lead singer of Fall Out Boy, the biggest rock band in the USA right now, is obese. And that would be ok if they made good music, ie Meat Loaf, but like everything else that has come out this decade, they suck. (editors note: I don’t care for Meat Loaf’s music, but I can admit he has talent and deserves the success he has.)
I also hate that everyone who watches that stupid show thinks they are a music critic. That kareoke crap sounds the exact same, night after night, but when people watch that show you hear “I thought so and so was a little off tonight,” and “you could feel the energy in so and so’s performance.” Makes me sick. I was forced to watch the season Carrie Underwood won against my will, and I’m still recovering.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:48 am
By the way, a few people who have my same opinion regarding American Idol somehow feel Chris Daughtry is an exception. I have listened to Chris Daughtry’s music on youtube, and believe you me, it’s the same old generic, producer created swill as all the other crap. If you think Chris Daughtry is a step above and has some kind of Johnny Cash street cred, it only shows you are starting to crack and are beginning your decent into being another massive tool.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:59 am
If Janis Joplin sang today, she would be smeared in every fishrag in the country on a weekly basis for her promiscuity and drug use. The sixties were a much better time for her. Today, she would be talked about in the same tones as Amy Winehouse- “So talented, it’s a shame she…”
July 21st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Billie Bob - it didn’t ruin my vacation, it was more of a strange carnival side show attraction. To be honest, I’ve never watched even 1 minute of American Idol, although for someone who has never seen it, I am oddly quite familiar with the whole thing. ‘Course, it’s hard not to be I guess, considering how much attention it garners.
I agree with Billy that Janis was a wonderful interpreter of other people’s songs.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
PI,
I was going to mention something about her being a cover band, but I took the high road and commented on her drug abuse and insatiable sexual appetite.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Yeah, I referred to Janis Joplin as a genius with something to say in ignorance as I know absolutely nothing about her, and I was basically riffing off the earlier posts on this thread. After reading a little on wikipedia, it seems she was just a product of the 60’s who was famous for promiscous sex and drug use in an era when lots of people were practicing promiscous sex and drug use. Err, Not quite in the same league as Dylan I guess, but I stand by the general message of my first post. And I would listen to Janis over Kelly Clarkson any day.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Billie,
I think I’m picking up some sarcasm. I hope you picked up on mine as well, because I laid it on pretty thick.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Actually, I took you completely serious. I’m a child of the 80s, came of age in the 90’s. Although, seeing as my generation produced Marilyn Manson, I will totally admit my Dad’s generation had much better music, my knowledge is lacking when it comes to music from that era as I was more partial to Nirvana or Green Day during my teenage years. Sabbath was about the only band from that era I ever really got into. Well, except the Beatles, but who doesn’t like the Beatles.
Confused,
Billy.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I don’t like the Beatles. Never got into their music and after listening to everyone say how great they are, they just don’t do much for me. I’ve watched ai a handful of times and to me, EVERYONE is a good singer because I suck so bad. One of the things I don’t like about the show is I don’t know 95% of the songs they sing.