It was late summer of 2013, and I had just broken up with the band. It was a bittersweet goodbye, but I was ready to move on the the next chapter. They say the best way to get over a break-up is to get some rebound action. Luckily, I had no trouble keeping myself busy with solo gigs the rest of the year.
The evil Rochester winter was starting to set in. I sat hunched over my keyboard in my office cubicle, like a cave man huddled over life-giving fire. Mesmerized by my life-giving fire, I sat staring, much like I am now, just passing time. Then something interesting happened. I received an email from a casting company working with NBC’s The Voice. They said they found me on YouTube and would like me to audition for the show.
A flash of excitement passed over me, but then a jaded voice inside my head rolled it’s eyes and apathetically whispered “It’s probably a scam.” As with anything else I get involved with, I Google’d the crap out of it and found that the company was actually legit.
“We are looking for strong singers and I found you on YouTube and love your sound. With that being said, I would love to chat with you about our auditions and see if you’d be interested in coming to one of our appointment cities this winter.”
– The Voice Casting Department
I had sworn off TV singing shows after auditioning for American Idol, The X Factor (twice) and The Voice and never making it through to the TV judges. I had decided it just wasn’t for me and that I was going to make it to the top the old fashion way.
Even after receiving that email I was still on the fence. If I did make it through this time, was that really the path I wanted to take? I thought about it for a few days and figured since they contacted me this time, it would be silly to turn the opportunity down. Philadelphia here I come!
Show Me Some Love Philly
Benjamin Franklin Bridge near our hotel
There were no lines to wait in this time, at least not long ones out in the freezing cold. I bypassed the “first” audition thanks to my YouTube skills and went straight to the “second” audition.
I brought back-up, as I always do, for moral support and just plain fun. My friend, now girlfriend, Sandy, my dad and my ex-bandmate and friend Brice were the lucky ones this time around. So here was the deal for this audition:
- I had to have three songs prepared, either to a track or with one person accompanying me. I could accompany myself for one of the songs as well if I wanted to.
- I remember from auditioning for The Voice the last time that they really favor modern and mostly up-beat songs that were popular within the last 5 years or so. Original songs were very discouraged. I made sure to stick to that as best as possible and tried picking songs that were diverse yet still showed my style and personality.
- My original audition songs were Tighten Up by the Black Keys, You Know I’m No Good by Amy Winehouse and No One by Alicia Keys in that order. Brice played guitar for the first two songs, and I played guitar for the last.
Nerves weren’t really an issue for me this time around, since I was good with the outcome either way. We walked in and were greeted by a very zealous, energetic lady, Michelle McNulty (who later turned out to be one of the most awesome people I’ve worked with). There were a couple other somber looking executives in the room. I wasn’t phased by their robot like stature. Here goes nothing!
Brice and I waiting to be called in for the audition.
Brice hit the chords perfect, the vibe was relaxed and I sang with confidence! It felt great, just like it always should. I think that’s the key. Confidence is the better than the best voice, coolest outfit or most gorgeous face.
Confidence is the key!
As a side note – it also helps if you act like the rest of your life isn’t contingent on that one moment. Moments and opportunities come and go. Be yourself. Do your best and just go for it! Whatever happens next is out of your control.
The more you develop as an artist the more comfortable you get with who you are as an artist. It’s no longer someone you’re trying to be, it’s who you are. It’s ingrained in you, and it becomes natural. This comes with time and experience.
Back to the story…
The audition went great and I figured whatever their decision, I would walk away happy with my performance. We waited. An intern asked me to come with them while Brice waited outside. We weren’t sure if this was a good or bad sign, but I was optimistic. I was taken to another room where I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork. It felt like I was filling out a job application and resume.
Sandy, Brice and my dad (taking the picture) patiently waiting outside to hear some news
Did this mean I made it? There were no golden tickets handed out, and I was a bit lost as to what was actually happening. I filled out my paperwork like a good student and handed it in. I’ve done this before, twice for The X Factor (where I made it to the second audition both times). I’ve learned another key to these types of shows is having a great backstory. This is TV, not music school. They want entertainment. They want a story.
Know Your Story
At first I had no idea what my story was. I thought “My life is boring. Nothing tragic has happened to me. I have no story to tell!” I had buried my story so deep that I almost forgot about it altogether. Everyone has a story! You just have to dig a little and realize what yours is. It took me a few times to get it right, but this time I knew exactly how to hook them in. More on that later.
I was then taken to a different room, where I was to give an on-camera interview with one of the producers. Well, here’s my job interview. It was very casual and the producer was super nice. She went off my paperwork and asked me to talk about my answers. Part of the reason, if not the whole reason for the interview was to see how I would look and speak on camera. It would also serve as a reference for the executive producers to review in their decision of who would make it through to the next round.
I finished the interview with a little less confidence than the audition, but I was still feeling good. Everything felt right this time. I was completely confident in who I was as an artist. My song choices fit me well, and I was happy with my performance. Now, for anyone who’s ever auditioned for these types of shows, you know that there’s many rounds of auditions before you get to the actual “TV audition.” The Voice was no different.
After the interview they sent me on my way with an information sheet. “So did I make it through?” I asked. “We’ll be in touch.” they casually answered back, with a delayed smile. Ugh, the dreaded “call backs.” Oh well.
The Reading Terminal Market in Philly – our last stop before heading home.
Before making our way back home we stopped at the Reading Terminal Market, home to tons of restaurants, shops and Hershel’s monstrous corned beef reuben. I couldn’t resist! We all indulged our tastebuds as a reward for the adventure we had undertaken and left for home feeling confident, happy and stuffed!
For the next month or so, I jumped every time my phone rang, hoping to see some unrecognizable number. I started to give up and tried to shove it in the corner of my mind.
Here I was back in 2011, performing in front of the judges at Lovin’ Cup’s “Lovin Cup Idol” singing competition.
Sandy and I decided to grab some dinner together at one of our favorite spots and the place where I had gotten my start as a singer – Lovin’ Cup. As we were about to walk in, I glanced down at my phone. I had a missed called from a weird number. I listened to the voicemail. This was it! I called the number back and got confirmation I had made it to the next round of auditions!
It was only appropriate, the next part of my journey would happen at the place where it all started. Ironic how the universe works sometimes.
To Be Continued…
AMANDA LEE PEERS 