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!