Friday, August 14, 2009

Baugh takes shot at ‘American Idol’

People watch “American Idol” on television and wonder “What if that were me on that stage singing?”
Breckenridge resident and college student Hunter Baugh took it one step further and followed his dream on another level.
On June 26, Baugh was one of many contestants who took a shot at being the next “American Idol.”

Here is the interview conducted July 8 on Facebook.
Rob: How long have you been a fan of American Idol?
Hunter: well, to be honest, I have never really watched a season. I just saw clips and saw the talent and then when I found out that a lot of the music I listen to comes from American Idol winners/contestants it really surprised me.
Rob: so when did you decide that you would give it a shot to be a contestant?
Hunter: probably about two weeks before the auditions, before, I really had no way of getting there and auditioning because I hadn’t driven in Dallas/Arlington traffic but ever since I had moved to college, I got used to driving in it. Since I somewhat knew where the new stadium was, it was a lot easier.

Rob: How many people were there at the tryouts?
Hunter: Well I heard 14,000. Then I heard 16,000. So I’m just going to say about 15,000 people...lol
Rob: Yeah. That’s a good average figure...lol
Hunter: lol, there were a lot of people. The wait wasn’t really that long either. We got in line at about 5 a.m. that morning and was inside and filming by 9:30 a.m.
Rob: So were you intimidated when you saw that amount of people?
Hunter: I wouldn’t really say intimidated but I was kind of dreading the wait because I’m really impatient but I was thinking “I’m going to meet a lot of people and definitely some Interesting people today so I think ill be entertained until my turn.” But when I heard some of the people sing, I kind of thought I didn’t stand a chance but then again, what one judge thinks, another judge probably doesn’t so even some of the best singers there didn’t make it. Trust me, I witnessed it a lot...lol.
Rob: While waiting for your turn, where were some of the other contestants from?
Hunter: One girl I sat beside had flown in from New York and she was in my group when we went to sing and she sang an Alicia Keyes song and sounded amazing, but didn’t make it through. Some others were from Houston, Austin, and I finally actually started meeting people from Dallas. I also saw 2 of my friends from college there
Rob: Man...that’s unbelievable! So, give me a little background on the song you sang. What made you decide on this one?
Hunter: I sang “ God Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts and I sang this because I had very first heard it at my brothers wedding when I had made (brother) Turner (Baugh) and Brandi (Baugh) a music video. It reminded me of family and love and that I had people waiting for me at home and so many people waiting for news here on Facebook about my journey and what was going on as well.
Another choice was “My Wish” by Rascall Flatts too, just because It reminds me of my parents and so basically I base American Idol on my family because their the ones who support me so much.
Rob: Both of those are great songs and Rascal Flatts is a good group. But, I have to ask the question everyone wants to know. Did you see Simon or any of the other judges?
Hunter: haha! Everyone has asked me that. Unfortunately, no. Its true what they say - What you see on TV is different than real life - in some situations lol. But you know how you see the long lines and then you see the auditions with the judges on that same episode? It doesnt work that way. You have to go through like 2 or 3 stages with producers and such until you finally meet them which is later on in the year I believe
Rob: Once again TV had fooled us....
Hunter: Heck yeah man. I’m sure Simon had something to do with it lol
Rob: Yeah..he seems like such an easy person to get along with, right?
Hunter: Duh, he told me to add him on Facebook! lol. Oh by the way, we had a moment of silence for Michael Jackson that day - seeing how he had died the day before.
Rob: No way! Really? That was neat.
Hunter: Yeah, it was really awesome how 15,000 people could be so quiet
Rob: So....we heard about how a lot of people knew you were trying out for American Idol...did you get any phone calls or text messages while you were waiting?
Hunter: Text messages mainly.. I’m such a geek though cause I have it set to where if I get a new post or something it sends a notification to my phone so basically, my phone was ringing all day with new posts. I would post updates on here with my phone and send pictures, videos and then stories when I had time. So I kept everyone pretty informed with what was happening almost ever hour ever since I registered that Wednesday morning then went back for the audition Friday or tried to at least...lol.
Rob: So how did the process of you getting eliminated from the competition go and how did it make you feel?
Hunter: Well, we got in line at 5 a.m. that morning and I finally audition at 5:30 that afternoon... so when I got down there, honestly, I was so tired from the night before because I couldn’t sleep AT ALL so I was ready to get it over with and leave lol. But when I got down there, I guess I was so tired that I wasn’t nervous at all! I was very surprised I wasn’t but when I got up there and we all sang she pulled us all forward and said “ You guys all sounded great! However, this is season 9 of American Idol and we are raising the bar” which I guess they wanted more talent and entertainment I guess.
Hunter: But when I was walking back up there, I had a really bad headache so I was ready to leave and get something to eat lol, like I sad before I went “I wont be sad/disappointed because I know that I have a life, family, friends school & a job to come back to so its no biggie.”
Rob: Getting there is half the battle. Man, congratulations on making it that far. Any famous last words?
Hunter: Well, I just going to say that people need to follow their dreams because “you win some and you lose some” and even though 15,000 people were there and only 300 or so made it. It didn’t affect me that much because I came home to SO much more than all of that.
Rob: Hunter, thanks for your time. And like you say, keep following your dreams. It’s been a pleasure.
Hunter: Thanks man!

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