Tonight millions of people of all ages will be tuning into Fox TV. Whether it’s at the scheduled time or DVR’d, American Idol continues to capture the hearts of the young and not as young. I am part of the latter.
New judges, new hopefuls, and now allowing a new age of 15 years, has in my point of view created more interest in the show. (Last year was not one of the better seasons—I suspect this was a critical reason for the changes.)
If you watch the show you know more than 125,000 hopefuls gave it their best this season. Okay, thousands just wanted their 15 minutes or less of fame---I was actually better than some and to say I have a bad voice would be like my saying we got a lot of snow. (I am telling the truth...just ask my family.)
But there are many who are very talented and "on their way."
Meet Gabi Winter who lives in “Our Town.” Although she is too young to qualify for the show, Gabi is putting in her time to be ready for American Idol or whatever is available for her now and most important, later. I first met Gabi when she was in a school talent show last year and she lived up to the word “talent.” Actually on a number of levels; sure she can sing, but she engages with the audience, slings a very large guitar around her neck (really cool look), and plays with the confidence of someone with a dream that she is determined to achieve. This is no guarantee of success of course, but these qualities are what separate the wannabees from the rest.
I also learned Gabi and her family happen to be huge "Idol" fans. There is one Idol in particular whom they are enamored with; that would be Adam Lambert, the season 8 runner up that really blew away the competition that season. He didn’t win, but I am fairly certain he is outpacing many other Idols who have released albums. When Lambert released his first album he landed on the #3 spot of the Billboard 200. (In the number one spot at that point was Susan Boyle’s “I dreamed a dream.”) He beat out Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and others...not too shabby.
This past summer, the Winter family (sans father for most of the trips) “literally” followed the Adam Lambert tour when he toured the Midwest. Last count, I believe they saw him 4 or 5 times; they also got to know other “Lambert-lovers” who stood nearby his tour bus, met the band, and as you can see above---got autographs. (Lambert’s autograph is the one front and center on the guitar.)
If you think this is an oddity, check this out; there is still a group of women (some in Glen Ellyn) who follow the Clay Aiken tour when he is on the road---or they just get together because they met when he was touring the country and they have something in common. (He too was the runner up that season—that was 7 years ago.)
American Idol continues to bring families to the TV every Wednesday and Thursday evening. With some real talent coming forward, it’s the younger ones who continue to amaze me---15 is the new magic number for the show, but if you think 15 is the starting point, check out the clip of Gabi. http://youtu.be/bDOpxlN2FiU
Thanks for stopping by.
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