The date was March 31, 2009; the place American Idol dress rehearsal at CBS. It was a normal dress rehearsal just a couple hours before going live, no surprises, no unexpected twists or turns… and then technology intervened.
It was my turn to perform, and I had just done my sound-check during the imaginary commercial and was ready to go. And time passed…as I sat at the piano waiting for my cue, as I heard the restlessness of the live studio audience, as I wondered what could possibly be interrupting the rehearsal flow. Then it was announced that the huge video screen that normally closes over the retractable staircase to line the back of the stage was not closing. It appeared to be stuck wide open.
Well the show could not go on without this amazing high-tech American Idol digital centerpiece, so again time passed as the crew scrambled to find a solution. This unexpected circumstance in which I found myself would quickly turn into one of the most memorable experiences of my entire time with American Idol. As it became more apparent that there was no quick fix for the screen, the stage manager said over the loudspeaker, “Scott, why don’t you play something…” That was all I needed to hear. :)
What did I sing you ask? Well, a fan who happened to be at that very dress rehearsal asked the same question of me recently on Twitter. Thanks for bringing it up! I sang an original song from my independent pre-Idol CD
Somewhere Else entitled “Hard to Be Away.” I wrote it during my time living over seas in London, England, thinking about those I had left behind. I’ve lived in three different countries in my lifetime and have moved frequently, so to this day it is one of my favorite songs to perform in concert because of how many people can relate to the experience of missing a loved one.
My ears could sense that everyone in the studio was now emotionally connected to the song as I sang it solo from the grand piano in the middle of the stage. It was as if the crazy, bustling world of American Idol and all its logistical facets stood motionless, except for punctuated, unified cheers I heard coming from the crowd supporting me throughout my song, surpassing the response to my competition song choice for that week by far. I realized I was living my dream of performing one of my own original songs on the American Idol stage…
It is true that often opportunity knocks, but not all doors open. I will always remember the day that the American Idol screen doors were stuck open for me and how wonderful it felt to seize the moment for what may have been a once in a lifetime opportunity.