American Idol

Brimingham & Los Angeles

I could go on and on, about how terrible.... 99.9% of the auditions were. In years past, we’ve all seen our share of bad talent on these shows , but at least we got to see a good percentage of some who posessed the ability to go on. Maybe I’ve just gotten bored with people wanting their 15 seconds of fame, but it would have been nice to spotlight a bit more, on some who had talent, than those who have none. Simon wonders why these kooks constantly show up??? The answer is simple. They’ve been given the green light to do so, and for whatever their reason , they’re using it. Plus, it makes for good tv ratings.

39 hopefuls were given the “golden ticket” in a combined total from the tryouts in Birmingham Alabama and Los Angeles, Ca. I think we saw possibly 4, out of that total number, who were given the “golden ticket.” How sad is that? The final audition(thankfully), will be held next week in San Antonio, Texas and hopefully after that, we can get down to the real excitement of finding the next American Idol.

Anyway….Rather than have me expound over the past two days on people who didn’t deserve exposure in the first place and definitely do not deserve any more…..I would prefer to concentrate on the most poignant and heartfelt moment to date. A humble and gentle man by the name of Sherman, who is 65 years young, wanted the opportunity to audition….. not to enter the competition, but for the chance to sing, to the one who has been the love of his life for the past 20 years. She had been diagnosed with cancer and was in the hospital when Sherman came up with this idea. Since she had become excited about it, he made it his mission. Sherman drew up a petition and began collecting signatures, for his chance to audition. Every day he would return to the hospital, to show her the additional signatures obtained. He saw her excitement and felt, that what he was doing, had provided her with the additional will to keep fighting . However, two days before the auditions in Los Angeles, she lost the battle and sadly, passed away. The Judges were so compassionate while hearing the story but Sherman stated he didn’t want sympathy. He just wanted to sing and he was overwhelmingly, given the chance.. Sherman sang “You Belong To Me” in its entirety…..without interruption. You could hear a pin drop in the audition room. And you know what? He sang really well! Simon was the first to get up from his seat and requested a handshake from this “class act”(Simon’s words) and Randy, Paula and Olivia Newton John gave him hugs. Sherman’s parting words were, “I won”. “I’m already a winner” and indeed he is just that! He left the room a very proud man; a man who had accomplished what he set out to do.

Despite what some may believe.....Love can definitely be……a many splendored thing!