InfantryYJ
01-30-2003, 10:48 AM
no,...not me!!!:flipoff2:
Marine Advances In American Idol Contest
Submitted by: Los Angeles Public Affairs
Story Identification Number: 20031300515
Story by Staff Sergeant Chad McMeen
(January 28, 2003) -- HOLLYWOOD -- LCpl. Joshua Gracin, 22, is one step closer to his dream of becoming the next "American Idol" after Wednesday night's performance on Fox Television.
Before his first appearance on the evening of January 22, Gracin was just another kid with some talent, but now he finds himself among the final 32 contestants and poised to become the next "American Idol."
"A lot of opportunities came my way when I was younger but, because I was the typical teenager who never followed through, I never took advantage of them. This was one opportunity that I could not pass up," explained Gracin originally from Westland, Michigan. "When I first went to Los Angeles for the auditions, I could not believe the amount of people behind me in line. I believe there was something like 11,000 total just in Los Angeles. By the time the first round was all over I believe more than 50,000 people had auditioned."
In the first round, Gracin was one of 40 contestants selected from the Los Angeles auditions to advance. The first auditions were held on a weekend and according to Gracin, the chances of advancing were astronomical so he decided not to inform his command until he knew the outcome.
"Once I had made the initial cut I spoke to my wife about the pros and cons of continuing in the competition," said Gracin of this new experience. "What kind of image I was going to give the Marine Corps because I'm not just another singer stepping on the stage and representing themselves and their families -- I'm here representing the whole Marine Corps. So the pressure is on me to represent them well."
He made the decision to continue in the competition and explained the situation to his command and also spoke to the lawyers on base. According to Capt. Alison Salerno, Public Affairs Officer for 1st Force Service Support Group at Camp Pendleton, despite erroneous reports published earlier, he is assigned to a section not currently scheduled to deploy. Futhermore, the Marine Corps appreciates the level of talent the Marine possesses and recognizes the benefits of allowing him to continue competing on the program.
"My command has been behind me 100% and there is no way to describe how helpful that has been through this whole process," exclaimed Gracin. "From my platoon sergeant, all the way up to my battalion commander I have received nothing but support."
Gracin was able to secure a spot in the final 32 during last night's performance and will move on to the next phase of competition in "American Idol."
"All this stuff was happening around me and I had so many things going through my mind and then I started thinking about my Marine Corps training, and it all came back," said Gracin. "Once I calmed down and assessed the situation, I realized that nothing is harder than what I had already been through (recruit training)."
With millions of television viewers watching each step of the competition, this maintenance supply Marine with a little more than 2 ½ years of service is already starting to be recognized around base and town.
"I wouldn't quite say that I've been given any celebrity status on base. People definitely recognize me but I think it has been more of a feeling that a recruit has coming into a company, because everyone is bashing me for saluting in civilian attire," said Gracin as he laughed. "Everyone seems to realize that this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I had to have something to set me apart from the other 50,000 people."
According to Gracin, it was suggested just prior to his time in front of the judges that he report in a military fashion to make his audition unique.
"I'm not a very creative person and couldn't come up with anything better and I didn't know of a written order on saluting in civilian attire," said Gracin. "I went in there still not knowing whether I was going to do it or not and when the door opened it was like something took over my body and I found myself marching to the spot and saluting Simon. If you remember on the first show, I had a grin on my face and that's because I had just realized I actually was standing there saluting the three judges."
Gracin explained that without the Marine Corps he might have never had this chance and that in addition to the support of his command he has also had the support of his wife, Ann Marie, and his family.
"Just to get to where I'm at now is great! I mean I'd love to go farther, but knowing I'm one of the final 32 out of 50,000 lets me know that I have what it takes to make out there in the music industry just like anyone else. This opportunity has given me tremendous confidence in my singing ability no matter what the outcome."
In the coming weeks, this group of 32 will be broken down into four groups of eight. Each week a new group will compete. Two singers from each group and two others chosen by the judges will comprise the final 10.
Marinelink (http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/107F470AD536CB1A85256CBE002024C5?opendocument)
Marine Advances In American Idol Contest
Submitted by: Los Angeles Public Affairs
Story Identification Number: 20031300515
Story by Staff Sergeant Chad McMeen
(January 28, 2003) -- HOLLYWOOD -- LCpl. Joshua Gracin, 22, is one step closer to his dream of becoming the next "American Idol" after Wednesday night's performance on Fox Television.
Before his first appearance on the evening of January 22, Gracin was just another kid with some talent, but now he finds himself among the final 32 contestants and poised to become the next "American Idol."
"A lot of opportunities came my way when I was younger but, because I was the typical teenager who never followed through, I never took advantage of them. This was one opportunity that I could not pass up," explained Gracin originally from Westland, Michigan. "When I first went to Los Angeles for the auditions, I could not believe the amount of people behind me in line. I believe there was something like 11,000 total just in Los Angeles. By the time the first round was all over I believe more than 50,000 people had auditioned."
In the first round, Gracin was one of 40 contestants selected from the Los Angeles auditions to advance. The first auditions were held on a weekend and according to Gracin, the chances of advancing were astronomical so he decided not to inform his command until he knew the outcome.
"Once I had made the initial cut I spoke to my wife about the pros and cons of continuing in the competition," said Gracin of this new experience. "What kind of image I was going to give the Marine Corps because I'm not just another singer stepping on the stage and representing themselves and their families -- I'm here representing the whole Marine Corps. So the pressure is on me to represent them well."
He made the decision to continue in the competition and explained the situation to his command and also spoke to the lawyers on base. According to Capt. Alison Salerno, Public Affairs Officer for 1st Force Service Support Group at Camp Pendleton, despite erroneous reports published earlier, he is assigned to a section not currently scheduled to deploy. Futhermore, the Marine Corps appreciates the level of talent the Marine possesses and recognizes the benefits of allowing him to continue competing on the program.
"My command has been behind me 100% and there is no way to describe how helpful that has been through this whole process," exclaimed Gracin. "From my platoon sergeant, all the way up to my battalion commander I have received nothing but support."
Gracin was able to secure a spot in the final 32 during last night's performance and will move on to the next phase of competition in "American Idol."
"All this stuff was happening around me and I had so many things going through my mind and then I started thinking about my Marine Corps training, and it all came back," said Gracin. "Once I calmed down and assessed the situation, I realized that nothing is harder than what I had already been through (recruit training)."
With millions of television viewers watching each step of the competition, this maintenance supply Marine with a little more than 2 ½ years of service is already starting to be recognized around base and town.
"I wouldn't quite say that I've been given any celebrity status on base. People definitely recognize me but I think it has been more of a feeling that a recruit has coming into a company, because everyone is bashing me for saluting in civilian attire," said Gracin as he laughed. "Everyone seems to realize that this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I had to have something to set me apart from the other 50,000 people."
According to Gracin, it was suggested just prior to his time in front of the judges that he report in a military fashion to make his audition unique.
"I'm not a very creative person and couldn't come up with anything better and I didn't know of a written order on saluting in civilian attire," said Gracin. "I went in there still not knowing whether I was going to do it or not and when the door opened it was like something took over my body and I found myself marching to the spot and saluting Simon. If you remember on the first show, I had a grin on my face and that's because I had just realized I actually was standing there saluting the three judges."
Gracin explained that without the Marine Corps he might have never had this chance and that in addition to the support of his command he has also had the support of his wife, Ann Marie, and his family.
"Just to get to where I'm at now is great! I mean I'd love to go farther, but knowing I'm one of the final 32 out of 50,000 lets me know that I have what it takes to make out there in the music industry just like anyone else. This opportunity has given me tremendous confidence in my singing ability no matter what the outcome."
In the coming weeks, this group of 32 will be broken down into four groups of eight. Each week a new group will compete. Two singers from each group and two others chosen by the judges will comprise the final 10.
Marinelink (http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/107F470AD536CB1A85256CBE002024C5?opendocument)