American Idol

Remember those $200 worth of airline coupons I received from Southwest Air following a bad flight experience back in February of this year? I had intended to use them toward the purchase of two more tickets to Vegas, so Paul and I could return in April or May. Instead, I will be putting them toward the purchase of two tickets to Tennessee over Labor Day weekend. I'm taking my daughter to audition for American Idol.

I know it's a long shot. I believe she has tremendous talent, but I am well aware that it is impossible for me to be objective. It's also a fact that talent frequently has little to do with who becomes successful in the music industry and who remains a complete unknown. In the entertainment business, it has far more to do with luck, connections, timing and visual appeal than with raw talent.

The audition process is grueling. Registration occurs for two days prior to the audition. The website warns against trying to camp out the night before, in order to better your position in line. They ask that you show up no earlier than 5AM for the 8AM registration. Will contenstants abide by that? Registration will continue until producers choose to end it. You could, theoretically, show up on day two of registration and find it closed. Being lucky enough to register does NOT guarantee you an audition. Registration earns you a wristband, allowing you into the theatre on audition day. Contestants will be called, supposedly in the order they were registered. When they run out of time, auditions are over. You could wait in line for two days, get registered to audition, and never be called. We could spend all the time, money, effort and cherished vacation days and my daughter could return home having never sung a note.

Then again, she could impress the judges, land a spot on the show and - even if she doesn't win - catch the eye (ear) of someone in the business who could offer to help launch her career. Yes, I know it is a tremendous long-shot and the stuff upon which romantic FICTION novels are based.

Am I insane??

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If one of you high-tech types could help me post a sound file, I could give you all a sample of my daughter's singing.

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