"American
Idol" premiered its Hollywood Week on Tuesday, February 9, 2010,
showcasing 181 contestants that survived the initial auditions and were back to
prove themselves deserving of a spot on the hit television show.
North
Carolina singer Luke Edgemon was one of those contestants sent to Hollywood
after his Orlando audition.
"When I first realized that I'd made it
to Hollywood, I felt like I was imagining it," Edgemon says.
"Standing in front of the Idol judges and Kristen Chenoweth was surreal
enough already."
Edgemon, who won first place in the Male
Vocal Solo category at the Assemblies of God National Fine Arts Festival in
2006, says making it to Hollywood felt much like the first time he made it to
second and third rounds in Nationals. "Something I had been trying to
achieve for so many years had finally been attained ... I couldn't have been
happier," he says.
"Being
a part of National Fine Arts played a part in almost every aspect of my journey
on American Idol," Edgemon says. According
to Edgemon, little things throughout the competition reminded him of Fine Arts,
such as the constant adjudication and calls to the stage.
Although
sent home during American Idol's Hollywood week, he learned some valuable
lessons from his Fine Arts experiences that prepared him for this situation.
"Rejection is also something that FAF
taught me to deal with," he says. "While most people don't like
to associate a negative word like that with the amazing things that come from
Fine Arts, it is unfortunately an emotion most of us who participate have to
deal with and overcome."
"I am thankful to have learned, at a
young age, that no matter what dismissal we face, we are still destined by God
to walk in our calling. I focused on this particular bit of knowledge when
I was released from the American Idol competition during Hollywood Week this
year, and I have the 6 years I participated in National Fine Arts Festival to
thank," Edgemon says.
Edgemon learned another lesson while
preparing for his auditions that may come as a surprise to some - he gave up
soft drinks and coffee, which could harm his voice. "I had a meeting with
a local speech pathologist before going to Los Angeles, and she taught me that
caffeine is extremely harmful to the vocal chords, as it dries them out
significantly, and doesn't allow them to work to their fullest potential,"
he says.
Since his release from American Idol in
January, Edgemon has secured a few singing opportunities: singing in churches throughout
the United States, performing the national anthem at sporting events, and
judging the district level of the Fine Arts Festival competition in a number of
states. He has also started recording a few covers for fun.
During his journey through Fine Arts, Edgemon
attended Glad Tidings Church (AG) in Dunn, North Carolina. He does not attend
the church anymore, however, sees himself as a member of quite a few AG
churches throughout the country while he travels. "I travel as much as I can,
ministering through songs that Jesus has blessed me with," Edgemon says.
As for season 10 auditions, Edgemon says he
would definitely try out for American Idol again. "The entire process is
insanely fun and interesting. From the travel, to the constant immersion in
song, to meeting the most amazing people; the experience is like no
other," he says.
"Right now, I am hoping that God brings
me to something much bigger than American Idol in 2010. However, I walk
through every door that I feel He holds the key to; and if nothing significant
has taken my journey one step closer to the tremendous calling He has ordained
for my life, then you can definitely expect to see me in those long lines again
this fall."
Wherever Edgemon is singing, he is sure that
his faith plays a part in his music. "My faith holds an esteemed role in
my music. Before I sing a note, or even take a breath, I challenge myself to
remember where my giftings and talents came from," he says. "Making
music is my calling, and I cannot ever allow myself to forget that."
To hear some of Edgemon's music, visit his Myspace page.
"American
Idol" premiered its Hollywood Week on Tuesday, February 9, 2010,
showcasing 181 contestants that survived the initial auditions and were back to
prove themselves deserving of a spot on the hit television show.
North
Carolina singer Luke Edgemon was one of those contestants sent to Hollywood
after his Orlando audition.
"When I first realized that I'd made it
to Hollywood, I felt like I was imagining it," Edgemon says.
"Standing in front of the Idol judges and Kristen Chenoweth was surreal
enough already."
Edgemon, who won first place in the Male
Vocal Solo category at the Assemblies of God National Fine Arts Festival in
2006, says making it to Hollywood felt much like the first time he made it to
second and third rounds in Nationals. "Something I had been trying to
achieve for so many years had finally been attained ... I couldn't have been
happier," he says.
"Being
a part of National Fine Arts played a part in almost every aspect of my journey
on American Idol," Edgemon says. According
to Edgemon, little things throughout the competition reminded him of Fine Arts,
such as the constant adjudication and calls to the stage.
Although
sent home during American Idol's Hollywood week, he learned some valuable
lessons from his Fine Arts experiences that prepared him for this situation.
"Rejection is also something that FAF
taught me to deal with," he says. "While most people don't like
to associate a negative word like that with the amazing things that come from
Fine Arts, it is unfortunately an emotion most of us who participate have to
deal with and overcome."
"I am thankful to have learned, at a
young age, that no matter what dismissal we face, we are still destined by God
to walk in our calling. I focused on this particular bit of knowledge when
I was released from the American Idol competition during Hollywood Week this
year, and I have the 6 years I participated in National Fine Arts Festival to
thank," Edgemon says.
Edgemon learned another lesson while
preparing for his auditions that may come as a surprise to some - he gave up
soft drinks and coffee, which could harm his voice. "I had a meeting with
a local speech pathologist before going to Los Angeles, and she taught me that
caffeine is extremely harmful to the vocal chords, as it dries them out
significantly, and doesn't allow them to work to their fullest potential,"
he says.
Since his release from American Idol in
January, Edgemon has secured a few singing opportunities: singing in churches throughout
the United States, performing the national anthem at sporting events, and
judging the district level of the Fine Arts Festival competition in a number of
states. He has also started recording a few covers for fun.
During his journey through Fine Arts, Edgemon
attended Glad Tidings Church (AG) in Dunn, North Carolina. He does not attend
the church anymore, however, sees himself as a member of quite a few AG
churches throughout the country while he travels. "I travel as much as I can,
ministering through songs that Jesus has blessed me with," Edgemon says.
As for season 10 auditions, Edgemon says he
would definitely try out for American Idol again. "The entire process is
insanely fun and interesting. From the travel, to the constant immersion in
song, to meeting the most amazing people; the experience is like no
other," he says.
"Right now, I am hoping that God brings
me to something much bigger than American Idol in 2010. However, I walk
through every door that I feel He holds the key to; and if nothing significant
has taken my journey one step closer to the tremendous calling He has ordained
for my life, then you can definitely expect to see me in those long lines again
this fall."
Wherever Edgemon is singing, he is sure that
his faith plays a part in his music. "My faith holds an esteemed role in
my music. Before I sing a note, or even take a breath, I challenge myself to
remember where my giftings and talents came from," he says. "Making
music is my calling, and I cannot ever allow myself to forget that."
To hear some of Edgemon's music, visit his Myspace page.
In the aftermath of the powerful tornado that struck Moore,
Oklahoma, Monday, which killed at least two dozen, injured hundreds and wiped
out hundreds of homes and businesses, Dr. George O. Wood, Assemblies of God
general superintendent, has made an appeal to church leaders and their
congregations.
In a posted online video message and a personal
letter to pastors, Wood asks for church families to come together in prayer for
the victims, their families and for the churches who will be ministering to
those suffering due to the tragedy. He also asks for churches to consider
supporting Convoy of Hope in its efforts to provide disaster relief supplies to
the ravaged community.
"Funds are needed to bring food, water and other resources to
those who have nothing," Wood stated in his note to ministers.
"Convoy of Hope is preparing to deliver these much-needed resources to the
areas that were hit."
To
assist the Assemblies of God in its disaster relief efforts, click here. All donations
will be sent to Convoy of Hope.
Search AG.org
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