It has been almost a week since I participated in the X Factor tryouts here in Las Vegas.  For those of you who don't know, the "X" Factor is Simon Cowell's new Realty Show which airs this fall.  The premise of the program is similar to American Idol.  My understanding of the two main differences are:  1)  Their is not an upper age limit and 2)  Individual singers as well as group singers are invited to audition.

 

I studied voice at Oklahoma State University and University of Montana as well as piano.  I grew up in a family that loves music and is very talented.  My Father plays guitar and piano by ear.  He can't read a lick of music but can play and sing beautifully.  Over the years he has played in country bands and entertained at family events.  My sister is also an extremely talented singer.  I have performed over the years in choirs, churches, weddings, funerals, events, musical plays, fashion shows, talent contests and of course karaoke. 

 

My husband talked me into auditioning....well it really wasn't that hard to "talk me into it."  Green Valley Ranch Stations Casino and Channel Five hosted the pre-event tryouts at the Green Valley Ranch Casino conference center Friday, May 6th.  The format was as follows:  

 

*  The first 250 qualified individuals and groups would be eligible to audition.

*  The sponsors (Green Valley Ranch Stations Casino and Channel 5) would send the top three acts to Dallas, Texas May 26th to audition in front of Simon Cowell and the other judges.

*  The lucky winners receive a front of the line pass in Dallas.  In other words the lucky winners do not have to wait in the stadium for hours and days with other hopefuls.

*  The participants could get in line at 5:00 a.m. on Friday morning...but not before.  Camping out was not allowed.

 

I arrived at the line at 5:10 a.m.  Wow!  I was absolutely blown away.  I started walking down the line to find the end and it seemed to go on and on!  I got in line and began my wait.  Fortunately, my husband was kind enough to bring me a cup of coffee around 5:30 a.m.  Keep in mind, I had to get up about 3:30 a.m. to prepare for my audition.  This included getting "decked out" in my audition outfit, makeup and hair style. 

 

Registration began about 7:45 a.m.  I was registered at 8:45 a.m.and ready to wait for my audition.  By the way...I was number 216!  Remember, only 250 qualified auditions would be allowed.  I was in line at 5:10 a.m. and barely made the cut to audition.

 

We were all asked to wait in banquet rooms until our time to audition.  Five numbers were called at a time to stand outside the audition room.  While I waited in the holding rooms, I watched and listened to some very talented singers and groups!  What an experience listening to singers vocalizing, practicing their songs and performing for the waiting singers.  It was loud and the energy was through the roof.

 

I had decided to sing Faith Hill's - "It Matters to Me."  I like the song because I can sing it easily a cappella (without  accompaniment.).  I had practiced for a couple of weeks before the event and really felt I was ready! 

 

By the time I was called to audition it was nearly 2:00 p.m.   I was really nervous!  Sitting around waiting to audition is a stressful situation.  We were each given the following instructions:  1)  We would have 2 minutes from the second we walked into the audition room to when we walked out.  The most amount of singing you could do would be 90 seconds.  2)  We were instructed to Give our name, our audition number, song we were going to sing and our age!  Yeah...that's right...our age.  I was not happy about that part.

 

I walked into a huge Red X FACTOR wall that was light brightly with professional lights.  There were two or three cameras and a table of six judges.  The judges included a producer from X Factor, a former contestant from American Idol and the balance was local credentialed judges.  Very intimidating.  I said my list of required statements, and started singing....   wow!  I felt I did well and the judges told me I did a great job.  So, I waited for my call back....

 

Friday evening the final 20 were to be called back for an additional audition Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Channel 5.  I waited...finally at about 9:00 p.m. I received a call from a long distant phone number that I didn't recognize.  I was actually in the movie but I picked it up because it might be the call!  It was my long time friend Lisa Hungate who had moved to New Orleans.  She was checking in to see how it went! 

 

During the entire time I was in line and waiting to audition, I kept all of my fiends up to speed via Facebook and texting.   What I had hoped to get out of my experience auditioning for X Factor was an opportunity to go to the auditions in Dallas with a front of the line pass.  What I actually got out of the experience was amazing interest and support from my friends, clients and fellow Real Estate agents.  What a blast!  My recommendation to each of you is to go for it!  Nothing Ventured, nothing gained!