When 25-year-old Luling resident Chad Robin entered the “American Idol” competition last October, he really didn’t know what to expect. Most certainly, he never thought it would change his life forever.
But it did.
From the other contestants Robin met, the sets he performed on, and the producers who guided him and how it affected his career as a singer, it was all so much different than how he first imagined.
“Nothing really prepares you for the reality of reality TV,” Robin said. “You think you know how it’s going to be, going in, but you really don’t. At least I didn’t.”
Robin was so excited the morning he went to the New Orleans audition. He met with producers earlier that summer, but now, with his family around him, he could feel the energy in the air, and he got to perform in front of celebrity judges Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban.
“That was pretty amazing meeting those people,” Robin said. “But I think the thing that surprised me the most was how much energy the producers put into each person who’s selected to go to Hollywood. They really take the time to listen to you and you get the feeling they truly care about you not just as a singer, but as a person.”
Robin explained it’s not the way it seems on TV.
“From home, it looks like you just walk into this little room and sing for the judges. But the truth is, it’s a huge soundstage, and the crew, lights and cameras are all around you,” he said. “You see these people that you’ve only seen on TV and it’s really a lot to take in.
“The funny thing is you’re having this sort of ‘out of body experience’ and then you slowly come to realize, “Oh, now I have to sing’,” Robin added with a laugh.
Accompanied by his keyboard, Robin sang Last Request by Paolo Nutini. He said Connick Jr. told him he sang like an “old soul” and that he thought of him as an older generation musician. Lopez thought he had a fine voice, but that he should somehow have “more fun with it.”
The most exciting moment during the whole process for Robin came just a few moments later. He received three “yes” votes and he was on his way to Hollywood.
“That was most “real” moment for me, getting that ticket to Hollywood and running out to the lobby to meet my family,” Robin said. Everyone was crying tears of happiness and excitement. “Without a doubt, that was the best time of the whole experience for me.”
At this point, Robin said he knew he was in this endeavor full time and he took a step back from his office job to work full time on his performing. He rented a practice studio on Magazine Street. He worked 10 to 12 hours a day brushing up on his piano skills, and crafting his vocals. Up until that point, he had only been singing on the weekends with his group, Louisiana Spice, but now he understood this had to be a full-time effort.
“I wasn’t going to even chance the fact I would not be prepared when my time came to perform at the next level,” Robin said. “I played out as much as I could too, playing a lot of open mic nights and seeing what the crowd liked in order to hone down my play list. I had about two months to get myself in shape and I utilized as much time as I could to concentrate on my skills.”
On Oct. 25, Robin boarded his plane to the West Coast, dressed “camera ready” in blue button down slacks and shoes. He met other people at the airport, also on their way to show, both in New Orleans and at the connecting flight in Dallas. He made friends quickly and understood that everyone was as excited as he was.
Once in Los Angeles and checked into the hotel, it was off to the Orpheum Theater where the real work began. He said he was amazed at how long the filming schedule was as they just kept going, hour after hour. At one point he realized he had not slept in nearly two days.
“I was exhausted – like everyone else,” Robin said. “And it was at this point we began filming the group performances. It occurred to me that, the trick of television is to be prepared to be at your best even when you are the most tired. I don’t really feel like that happened and it was disappointing.”
Perhaps the most disappointing thing for Robin was that he never actually got any singing air time. But not because he wanted to be on TV so much, he was disappointed for the friends, family and fans who were so supportive all through the process. He explained he really did want it more for them than himself.
“ I wanted to be able to share what I had worked so hard for,” Robin said. “It all really comes down to the editing and what the producers and editors feel is the most appropriate material for the show. Also, they don’t have an unlimited amount of time, so I think they do the best they can with the people they have. I respect the producers of the show and don’t hold anyone accountable, that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
Of the 24 contestants featured on Feb. 11, the night the group shoot aired on FOX, 18 were actually shown, cutting out the remaining six.
Initially, about 200,000 people auditioned for the 2014 season of American Idol. By the time the finalists made it to Los Angeles it was whittled down to just about 100. By the end of the group shoot the journey ended for Robin as one of four who was eliminated.
“Strangely, I didn’t feel all that bad when it was over for me,” Robin said. “It was an incredible journey and it truly changed my life both professionally and personally. Whereas I was a weekend musician for most of my life, the confidence and success I’ve attained having been a part of this adventure has raised my expectations of myself and my music. I plan to devote a lot more time to my art and make a go of my career more on a professional level than a hobby- which is what it’s been up to this point.”
Robin feels like after the comments he received from the well-established, professional artists like Connick Jr., and Lopez, he truly has the chops to make a real go of it, and he plans to do just that.
“Harry said something to our group after we were voted off that was very encouraging. He said he never saw “no as no” – meaning that even though there were plenty of no’s in his career, he never viewed it as an end to what he was doing, but a chance to examine things and make them better,” Robin said. “I learned it’s not just about being a good singer, but a good performer, the total package.”
Robin also auditioned for “The Voice” a few months before he tried out for “American Idol,” and he plans to keep on auditioning for both shows. According to nbcthevoice.com there is no eligibility age limit for “The Voice.” The cut-off age for Idol is 28, which means he has three more years to audition and perhaps, one day, grab that brass ring.
“I’m excited about my future in music, and I’ll see you next year.” he said.
Be the first to comment