You may or may not have seen the “Thank You” photo album that I posted this morning – just in case you missed it:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=147438&id=258640639682

In some ways, I am just getting started with saying, “Thank you”. So much about this entire process is getting the right people on the bus. I literally could not have gone on this American Idol leap of faith without the help of some amazing people.

So here are some “shout outs” and stories…J

Name: Barb Burge

Role: Life Coach from HEAVEN

Story: So, at first I was a little resistant to the thought of a life coach, partially because I was already feeling overwhelmed and I thought, “why do I want to have meetings with someone where I will just cry the entire time, because I’m so stressed out?” Also, because I wasn’t sure exactly what a life coach was, I was a bit apprehensive as to how that would impact things.

Barb and I started meeting/talking about 6 weeks before I left for Hollywood week. She really helped me strategize regarding my schedule, and helped me prioritize my life. Getting ready for this competition I had two options; I was either going to rise to the challenge, or go in knowing I was overwhelmed and just do my best. She helped me put together a mission statement partially for Hollywood week and partially for my life. Want to hear it? I thought you might. J

Mission Statement: To intentionally refine my character and talent in order to make a meaningful impact through the performing arts. To continually claim the joy in the experience, and take what is constructive in the criticism and release what’s not. To be obedient to the purpose He has called me to.

I’m still clinging on to that!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Barb!! Your help was so vital in this process!

http://www.lifeintentionally.com/

Name: Valerie Day

Role: Kick ass Vocal Coach

Story: I met Valerie initially through Elizabeth Day (now Mansell) who I went to elementary school with. I knew she was a veteran of the music industry and I was SO excited that she was able to squeeze me into her schedule. She helped me choose my initial accapella audition song, as well as give me tools to help me refine my instrument. So was so warm right off the bat, and super easy to work with! If anyone ever needs a vocal coach, look her up!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Valerie!!!

http://www.valeriedaysings.com/

And of course I have to say thank you to all my choir teachers and drama/theater teachers whose influence and belief in me gave me cause to reflect that just maybe I could be part of something much, much bigger than myself:

Russ Christensen, Wendy Kivett, Tara Lee, Kari Anderson

Thanks too to all of my fellow musicians who have jammed with me, played and sung with me and loved me in the process:

Chapel band families

Mark and Erin Benjamin

Framework friends

(And honestly so many others – you know who you are!)

And of course THANK YOU to everyone who has taken an interest in this page. I went into the music page concept with great resistance – after all, it does make you think things like, “what if no one wants to join?” “What if only 10 people join?” (well, I have more than 10 members in my family so I figured that I would at least have a dozen or so folks who care). And, how weird it is to have “fans?” Still not used to that one…

And yet, one of things that I’ve seen is how much you can be encouraged by people who know you and even people you’ve never met – just for taking some risks and trying to “Carpe Diem”.

You already know that I love my family – so thanks again to my parents, and grandparents and aunties and uncles and cousins and, and…. I feel like a star when I’m with you!

Thank you to all my friends, near and far! I love, love, love all of you!!

And of course, thank you to those who prayed for me and really carried me through all the insanity of the last seven months… living out my faith in a whole new arena was fun and caused me to grow in new ways I never expected. I couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Sorry this was so long! Seriously, I should have gotten the, “you’re done, we’re going to a commercial break” music after the first paragraph.

So, I was talking with my mom, late one evening this last summer. We were contemplating things such as life, love and other mysteries (as usual). I told her that lately more people had been talking to me about seriously considering auditioning for American Idol. I had shrugged it off, as usual, not thinking it would be realistic. Anyone else out there ever talked themselves out of things that could be risky? My mom suggested that we do a little research just to see what the logistics would be. She called me a little bit later and said, “Good news and bad news. The good news is that there is one audition city left for this season! The bad news is that you have to be on a plane to Denver first thing in the morning as tomorrow is the last day of registration for the Denver auditions.” I was completely exhausted from a long week and weekend, and decided there was no way I could make it happen – not at this short notice, not to mention that I hadn’t even discussed the crazy idea with my boss! So I went to sleep without really a second thought.

The next morning I woke up wondering if I would totally kick myself if I didn’t at least explore the possibility… at least ask, right?! My roommate, and best friend, Jamie Rae, had promised me 5 years ago that if I ever decided to go she would drop everything and go with me. As she walked out of her room to go to work , I said, “ Jamie, guess what? I almost flew to Colorado this morning to audition for American Idol.”
She said, “ Why didn’t you?” I told her it was because I wanted her to come with me. She smiled and said, “ Well I guess we’d better go talk to Mark.” (Our boss)
I hurried and got ready for work so we could go talk with him. As I walked through the office door Mark said, “Bachran (laughing) what the heck is up?”
“Um…I maybe want to fly to Colorado and audition for American Idol?” I smiled, and we all three looked at each other and laughed. And because he’s the best boss in the world, and an amazing musician, he said, “ Well, I’m sure not going to say no. Get out of here!”
Jamie and I looked at each other and started making calls to book flights, and try to find a ride from the Denver airport to the Invesco (sp) Stadium. We left the office at 8:45, ran home, packed in 10 minutes, and were at the airport by 9:45. And by the grace of God we made it on the 11 am flight – even though we were on last-minute stand-by.

The audition process is long and drawn out. And while I can’t divulge all of the details of how the process works, trust me when I say it is a long one, involving several layers of auditions. For example we were in the stadium, in the blazing heat, waiting for 12 hours before I had a chance to sing for the once-in-a-lifetime chance of actually going to Hollywood!

After I sang Adele’s “Right as Rain.”
Randy said: “Yo dawg, you got a little something I like to call po-tential”

Kara said: “ I can tell you are just super genuine, that you are exactly who you are inside this room as you are outside.” (This was my biggest prayer the whole day that I would be able to go into that room and just be myself- probably the best compliment I could receive.)
Simon said: “ I like you, I’m not jumping out of my chair excited about you, but I like you.” (I’ll take that!)

Victoria said: “ You have such a nice aura about you.” (um, ok, I’ll take that too!)

4 Yeses and - I’M GOING TO HOLLYWOOD, BABY!