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Kansas City, here we come

By Lisa Malone
Daily Journal Writer

Thursday, July 31, 2008

On June 11, 2002 one show made history by becoming one of the most watched shows on television. It has created super stars out of unknowns in just a matter of months. The show has now captured the interest of everyone with dreams of stardom. It is about to begin its eighth season — that show is American Idol and the next winner might just be your next door neighbor.

Four local aspiring singers are going to try to become the next American Idol. Angel Lopez, Thera Lopez, Cory Thomure, and me, Lisa Malone, are planning to audition in August for Season 8 of American Idol. Thera and Angel auditioned for Season 4 in St. Louis, but are going to try their luck again.

Cory Thomure, a 25 year-old customer service represenative at Bank Star of the Leadbelt has thought about auditioning for Idol for years and has finally worked up the nerve to do it. Cory plans to sing “Desparado” by The Eagles because people have told him it is a good choice for his voice. Cory said he was not nervous about the singing, but nervous because there are going to be a lot of really good people auditioning.

Cory has been singing for years in church, has perfomed at Renepuzzio in Bismarck, and has even added some of his work to his Myspace page.

“Music is my passion and this is what I want to do with my life. Hopefully this will be the avenue that gets me there,” Cory said.

The administration at Bank Star of the Leadbelt were very supportive by letting Cory take off work for the audition.

Cory will also be auditioning for St. Louis Idol on July 31 at Chesterfield Mall. St. Louis Idol will reward the winner with a $500 Mall gift card, a $500 gas card, hotel accommodations provided by the President Hilton Hotel, and a guaranteed audition in Kansas City.

Angel Lopez is a 25 year-old CNA and student at Mineral Area College who has decided to try out again because Idol doesn’t come to Missouri every year. This may be her last chance to audition before she reaches the cutoff for the age limit. Angel plans on singing “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban because it reminds her of her 3 year-old daughter, Emma. At the Season 4 auditions Angel sang “The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston. Angel said she was nervous the first time, but loved the atmosphere because everyone was so excited and they were all there for a common goal.

When asked if she was nervous Angel said, “Very. There are so many things to be nervous about. I get stage fright, there’s going to be a lot of awesome people there, and I’m also afraid of making it because I’ll be away from my daughter for so long.”

Angel has been involved with music for years. She was in the choir in high school where she made All District Choir. She has also performed at MAC in the Heritage Band, Ensembles, at Presbyterian Manor, and has done karaoke.

Angel’s mom, Tamara Henry, says, “I’m very proud of her, I believe she has the talent to do great things. She has always been interested in singing.”

Thera Lopez, 23, works at Presbyterian Manor in Farmington as the activities assitant. The activities department is raising money to fund Thera’s trip to Kansas City by hosting a spagetti dinner to be sold to other employees. The dinner will be held Friday. Thera’s supervisor, Carol Winch, says, “I think she is very talented, we know it here at Presby, but the world needs to know it too.”

Thera sings to the residents on occasion and Winch says, “she makes the residents very happy.”

Thera plans to sing Elton John’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” but that could easily change.”

Thera says she is “extremly nervous.” The first time Thera auditioned she sang “Blessed” by Racheal Lampa, a contemporary Christian song that the producer she auditioned for did not know.

“The first time I went, I’d never really sang in front of people before, I did it because I was a fan of the show and wanted to see how the audition process went,” Thera said.

Since the last time Thera auditioned she said she has gained experience by singing in the community. Thera said, “Whatever happens, I’ll be fine with it because I’ll know that is what was meant to happen.”

Thera would also like to thank everyone for their support during this process.

I have wanted to audition since the second season but haven’t had the chance, well now I do. I plan to sing “Follow Me” by Uncle Kracker but am working on a couple more choices just in case I change my mind.

I am not really nervous about auditioning. I have plenty of experience singing in front of crowds because I have sang in contests and done a lot of karaoke in the area. And even though I haven’t won anything I still love to sing. It makes me happy. What really makes me nervous is the thought of thousands of strangers all packed in to one space. I am much more comfortable in the Parkland, big cities scare me.

I asked Laura Maize, a co-worker who has heard me perform several times what she thought about me auditioning, she said “I think you have the looks, the talent, and the charisma to at least make it to Hollywood. Good luck.”

I plan on having the time of my life no matter what. I don’t feel that if I don’t make it my life will be crushed. I am not doing it for any other reason than to have fun and make memories with my friends.

Angel Lopez, Thera Lopez and I will begin our journey to stardom on Aug. 5 to begin our long wait in line outside the Kemper Arena. Cory Thomure will be heading to Kansas City Aug. 6.

Registration will be Aug. 6 and 7 with the audition taking place on Friday, Aug. 8. If by chance any of us make it past the producers, auditions for Randy, Paula and Simon will take place Monday, Aug. 11 at a secret venue.  

Have you auditioned? Are you planning to audition? Share your American Idol stories online at www.dailyjournalonline.com