Small Town News

Kerens singer earns ticket to Hollywood

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KERENS - All four NBC American Idol judges gave Kerens resident Heather Todd the nod to compete in the prime-time television singing competition during Dallas auditions Jan. 27.

Todd, 25, won her "golden ticket" to Hollywood, after she sang Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman," in the fourth round of auditions.

Todd appeared briefly, holding her golden ticket during the televised portion of auditions held at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Todd told The Kerens Tribune she chose the song because she felt it showed her range of voice best

The four judges she performed for were Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, and guest judge Joe Jonas. All four judges gave her a "yes" vote.

The judges' comments included: "great singer," and "1 would buy her CDs."

However, they also told her, "she looked like a soccer mom."

Upon gaining her chance at Hollywood, Todd said, "I was overjoyed and speechless for awhile."

Only 15 contestants from the Dallas area made the cut to Hollywood.

"I was a bit nervous during the auditions, but it was exciting to see the judges in person," she stated. Looking forward to Hollywood, Todd said she is looking forward to meeting Ellen DeGeneres.

"If I were to win American Idol, it would mean I would be able to provide for my family and have things I didn't have as a child, and to give back to my family and community," she added.

This is also her first ever trip to Hollywood, though isn't her first time to tryout in a singing contest.

Two years ago, she tried out for American Idol but didn't get past the first round.

In 2005 she auditioned for the show Gospel Dream, a similar competition. She placed fourth in that competition, and was included on a CD with the top ten in that round of Gospel Dream.

Growing up in the Keller/Fort Worth area, as well as in Gun Barrel City, she has been singing since the age of 2.

She has never taken any music or voice lessons, but did sing in the choir at school.

Todd plays a little guitar, and has tried her hand at writing songs, but prefers singing to songwriting, she said.

She likes and sings all types of music, but prefers the blues, jazz and old soul-type ballads. Some of her favorite musical artists are Otis Redding, Joss Stone, Bonnie Raitt and Aretha Franklin.

She has been encouraged in her musical pursuits by fellow Kerens resident Sydney Combs, who plays the guitar, sings and writes songs.

Todd said she thanks everyone who has supported her in this journey to American Idol. In particular, she thanks Daniel Combs; her grandmother, Gloria Lancaster; Linda and Sydney Combs of Legends Music Hall; Mary and Kent Combs; Karen and Dink Morgan; VFW Post 44 of Trinidad; Larry of Trinity River Jamboree for donating a guitar; Danny Mux of Cedar Creek Dragway of Seven Points; New Beginnings (Cheryl Keel) for fixing her hair; Lisa Lane for donating jewelry to wear; A. J. Lane and the other musicians, who performed at Legends Music Hall.

"I hope that my style of singing and sound will make a difference to someone," she said.

On Jan. 10, Todd and her friend, Mary Combs, flew out to Hollywood, for further auditions.

There were 174 contestants, divided into two groups of 87 people. She was in the second group and chose to sing "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt for four judges, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and newest judge Ellen DeGeneres.

After Todd's performance, DeGeneres commented "that she had a phenomenal voice" "and for a song that she has heard many times, how she liked her own take on it" and "liked her raw voice."

Each day, contestants were up early, with filming starting at 7 a.m.

They filmed such things as the contestants walking into the Kodak Theatre or an individual shot, as if they were just looking at something in Hollywood.

There was a lot of filming, as well as mountains of paperwork the contestants had to do.

At 10 a.m., all the contestants would meet to receive their schedules for the day.

After the first day, 30 percent of the contestants were cut.

On the second day, another 25 percent were cut. Unfortunately, Todd was cut the second day. As disappointing as that was, Todd said she feels it was a great accomplishment to make the top 100 out of 185,000 contestants.

While there, Todd did a little bit of sightseeing.

She visited the Hollywood Wax Museum and saw Jackie Chan unveil his wax statue.

Denzei Washington walked two feet from her near Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

She said she really loved California.

"The weather was great, and it was just great being there. Being from a small town and going to a fast-paced, amazing place like Hollywood was quite an experience," she said.

Todd said she plans to try out for American Idol again.

"This has been a most awesome experience," she exclaimed.

Todd also expressed that she will not forget being around people who love to sing. "Sharing their personal experiences through music was very touching," she said.



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