This all started when I went to see Taylor Swift and Keith Urban in concert. I could go on and on about my love affair with Keith Urban right, now, but I would be getting off point, so I'll get back to Taylor Swift. I was fascinated by the way she tossed her hair around stage, pointed at the audience, and ran around like she was just a teenager in her room holding a hairbrush rather than a microphone and singing in front of thousands of people! I remember how I used to do exactly that in my younger days. Then, I spotted her....
I spotted the cute, slightly older than Taylor, backup singer. She stood there, singing all the right harmonies and looking as stylish as could be. AND, she got to be on stage with Taylor every night! I thought, "I can do that!"
Not that I want to do it every night, mind you. I just want to be able to do it once! One song, one time, one very famous star. I have so many favorites that it doesn't matter who wants to take me on. Besides, I can't really be choosy.
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I went into country radio because I knew I would never make it as country music singer, so I took what I could get--at least I'd still be heard on the radio! Believe, me I tried to sing...much to the dismay of everyone around me, but particularly my mother. I tried out for choir in 5th grade and got in--only to be kicked out during 6th grade because the new choir teacher didn't think I was as good as the previous teacher thought. Now, that squashed me for awhile, but didn't stop me from belting out everything I heard on the radio, no matter where that radio happened to be. It particularly annoyed my family in the backseat of the car. It also annoyed by friends when I forced them to play "Star Search." Could you imagine if "American Idol" was popular when I was a kid? I would have been one of those sorry soles thinking she could sing and crying her eyes out and having security called when Simon let me in on the truth!
By the time I was in high school, I regained my courage and tried out for the school talent show my sophomore year--with my guitar in hand. The guitar I didn't know how to play. Yep, I marched up there like I knew what I was doing and waited for my track of Lee Greenwood's " I Owe You" to cue up. I belted it out and hit some random strings on my guitar. How hard could it be? I didn't need lessons. Uh. yeah. Needless to say, I didn't make the show.
My junior year, I decided to try out for Master of Ceremonies and skipped the signing. I was ecstatic to land the job! I remember jumping up and down in the lunch line when a friend of mine told me she saw the cast posting in the hallway on her way to lunch. I went on to do a few more plays and took only talking parts in the musicals. But by the time my senior year was upon me, I longed to try again.
So this time I admitted to myself that I was not a guitar player and picked a classic country song to try out with. I made the show and by the time the show's run was over, everyone in the school was singing "Rose Garden." I felt a little redeemed and even picked up a couple of awards for my acts in the show. I never tried to kid myself again, however, even though the dream of being a country singer is still alive.
Whose to say I'm too old, too fat, or too bad to try for a dream? I'm taking a shot! I want to sing backup! I just need an offer...
Rest in peace Mr. Mark Madison. You were truly an inspiration to me and the reason why I do what I do for a living! What memories you have given me! I know that angels are singing for you now!
Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amelia! I had fun writing this one! I think I laughed the entire time!
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