Reaching Out to the Stars (20 page)
I am 35 years young and happily married with two beautiful children. As I once dreamed of a career as a vocalist, I gave up the dream for a career I felt was more promising, a guidance counselor (now a stay at home mom)
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Although it seemed a struggle, I finally felt that even though I am passionate about singing, it was not the life for me considering I don’t always like being in the limelight and that I have a family
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I have been inspired by American Idol since season two because I think it has been easier to live my dream through people like you
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You have inspired me through your strength in dealing with overcoming obstacles in your own life as well as the American Idol journey
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There are days that I still feel like something is missing in my life, which sometimes I cannot even understand. In pursuing my own American Idol dreams without the actual experience that you have lived, I began to write a book in 2003 about being a fan of American Idol and its contestants
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In the long and discouraging process of representation and publication, lately I keep your message in mind about keeping my dreams alive. I am hoping to have success with this book, not for money but for excitement and personal accomplishment. Although my voice has not yet been heard, I hope that my writing will lead to a second book on my selected idol favorites and how the American Idol journey and afterlife has affected them
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One day I hope to personally spend a day with Danny Gokey. You have been an inspiration to me and many others. I wish you the best of luck with your musical career, your ongoing courage in dealing with the loss of your wife and the hope that you will find that kind of love again sometime in your future
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Weeks later, I received a signed eight by ten of Danny Gokey, not by Danny himself, but from my friend Jodi who knew I was upset about not getting one at the show. Jodi has always been a great friend to me and has always accepted my quirkiness as an enjoyable quality.
What it all comes down to is, life is what you make of it. Whether you are trying to become a star, meet a star, or writing a book, or achieving the goals that you always wanted to reach, “Failure is not an option” as spoken by Michael Sarver.
I think there is a point in everyone’s life where there is that something which begins the realization of the reality of their dreams, whether it’s a book, a specific individual, a television show, et cetera. It’s all in the steps we take to follow those dreams through.
Then I thought to myself, what happens when there is no more American Idol? Although that will be a very sad day for me, I believe that when someone is as inspired as I have been by the television show American Idol and it’s contestants, it is easier to be motivated to seek new inspirations in the future.
I think that throughout life everybody will have their Clay Aiken, who will someday be replaced with a Jason Castro or a Danny Gokey and so on. Maybe my inspiration to be a star leading to my inspiration to meet a star has now inspired me to accomplish the goal I have had to be an aspiring author. In time, maybe new inspirations will lead to new works of art.
2009
American Idol Tour
TD Bank North Garden, Boston, MA
Kris Allen
Adam Lambert
Allison Iraheta
Matt Grand & Scott Macintyre
Matt Grand
Danny Gokey
Lil Rounds
Anoop Desai
Season 8 Top 11
Chapter 20
Berklee’s Café 939 (Live at the Red Room)
American Idol began its ninth season. Somewhere in between my favorite television host, Ellen, joining the panel of judges, my immediate appreciation for the talented Crystal Bowersox and my tiny attraction to the crooked smile of Lee Dewyze, was a performance which supplied me with the knowledge of an upcoming show featuring the reunion of Rueben and Clay.