Prelim time! Time to see if I've got what it takes! I get there at four in the morning! Although the audition venue is closed. Parked in my car waiting till 6:30 until they decide to open the gates. With a long line of cars behind me, we all rush in to park and get lined up. Firstly our group of people got led the wrong way! We make a quick u-turn to get back to the gate to receive our number. My hands were frozen! I was carrying my guitar that day for the kicks. Just for something to keep me busy in the line..

I made a friend while waiting inline. Eugene was a classical/opera singer. Leaning more towards opera rather than light classical. We definitely shared something in common! Josh Groban was the key. So while waiting in the blistering cold, we spoke and sang a bit to help the time pass. It's amazing to see how many people thought that this was to be the "TV round". Fast forward.. Time for my audition, I get into the room where I hand over my CD to a lady that was going to be my judge. I start singing "Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up". I complete my song and got good comments. We spoke where one thing lead to another, (Don't jump ahead of me) the judge wanted me to bring my guitar into the audition as she was keen to see what I play. As I play a variety of instruments. I bring my guitar in and start singing multiple songs. My grounding is lost! I'd been advised to go with a song where I would also play my guitar. Although I have passed the pre-lim and run through my screenshots and interviews.

The long awaited morning had arrived! Friday the 13th of all days... The time has come, time to get up to face judgement! Not being too dramatic I hope! So I wake at 5 in the morning to get ready, as my slot starts 07:00. What a freezing day. Slowly getting more and more nervous and excited as time passed me by. My head was going back and forth, did I make the right song choice? Should I have discarded the advice that they had given me in the prelim round? There was a big gap in my mind between Chris Brown and Josh Groban. I was advised to stick with something more contemporary as it would be received better. Can you imagine what I was going through?

So here goes nothing, driving to the destination and arriving at 7 in the morning. We stand inline for the re-registration process. We get ushered down to the waiting area for our performance. While waiting we had gotten briefed on the days proceedings. Seemed to be a quite relaxed atmosphere considering.. So while waiting I met a couple of people, recognized faces from the pre-lims and warmed up. Seemed to have been about an hour that had went by and finally the time had come! Time to shine.

Standing backstage was quite the experience! Met some of the crew (obviously within whispers) and listened to the crowd though the stage exit. I could barely get a glance at the judges from back there, but a glance was good enough. I wasn't that nervous once I saw the judges because there were no surprises. Its my turn now and  I have to get ready to go on stage. Feeling quite confident walking up to the stage, I was ready to perform. I walk on stage first so that they can do a guitar test as i was going to play through a pickup. It was quite soft.

Anyway, I go backstage again to stand in position for my quick interview. We spoke about my confusion on what choices I've made! Then it was time to take the second walk on stage!

I was geared up and ready to go with "Chris Brown - Forever".

Well quite a different style although when I got to the stage there was no amplification of anything! My song relied on the reverb and droning effects. Although it was as though I was standing on stage singing with no mic. Oh well! I got the judgement! Randal said even though I held my notes it wasn't enough (the crowd was not in the palm of my hand). Shadow gave a yes! And Ian was undecided but eventually had said I'm not ready! Maybe next year?

All in all, it comes down to choices choices choices! It was a great experience  and I got some exposure! No one said it would be easy! Till next time!