A Much Needed Win

Last Saturday morning a local radio station in Atlanta GA (V.103 the people station) held auditions for singers to sing the National Anthem at the Honda Step Show. The Honda Step Show is huge deal in Atlanta, so there was no hesitation with me deciding to participate. The funny thing about this whole thing is that for over a year I have been practicing singing the National Anthem at a major event. Every Sunday after singing at my dad’s 7:30am church service, I would stand in the den of my house close my eyes visualizing myself singing the National Anthem at a Dallas Cowboy home game (it’s the kid in me). I reached out to a few people I knew who had relationships with the team to help me get booked for a game but they all ignored my request. I sent emails to Jerry Jones daughter and even her assistant but never got a response. Anyway, I got to the audition extra extra early. Registration didn’t start until 10am I was at Stone Crest Mall at 4:30am. Everyone knows I hate waiting in lines so getting there early kept me from having to wait. I met a nice security guard that barely spoke English. He was so nice he let me sit in the mall instead my cold car before the mall opened. As I sat in the mall with no where to shop I thought about the “loses/rejections” I had collected in my life up to this very moment. I’m 30 living in Atlanta for the third time and I need a win in my life. I needed this audition to be my win and to start me out right for the year.I’ve been singing for most if not all of my life. I know I’m good at what I do; I just don’t when my good will be good enough.

When it was time for me to hit the stage to sing I had butterflies all in my stomach. As I started to sing I forgot all about the butterflies, hitting all the notes with perfect pitch (practice makes preparation). Being that there was so many singers auditioning I started from the middle of the song and was still cut short by the judges. As I walked off stage I knew I did a good job but it was just me by myself (no Lauren, or Kim Kares around) and I had to wait for 101 people to sing before the top five would be announced. As I waited around I started to doubt myself. I called my sister and my friend Monica letting them know that I just wasn’t sure if it was worth me sticking around to see if I made the top five. Both encouraged me to stick around. I really didn’t want to because I just couldn’t face another, lose, or another no you’re not good enough rejection. Never the less I stuck around. As Ryan Cameron (radio personality) started to call out the top five finalist I kept thinking why in the world am I putting myself through this, I just need to go home. Out of nowhere I hear contestant #2…OMG that’s me! I made the top five. I was so excited that I made it to the Top Five. I didn’t become the ultimate winner of the contest but I got a win and I was so grateful for that. Later that day I got home and found that my friend Chinedu sent me flowers just wishing well at the audition. Seeing those flowers made me feel even better. He’s a good friend and he’s going to make a great man for a special lady.

Insanity is defined as doing something over and over again with the expectation of getting different results. I guess I’m insane because I keep singing over and over again expecting a different result. After my win on Saturday I realize that insanity just might not be a bad thing when it comes to my true passion.
To my friend that wants to give up, don’t. Be insane, you’ll eventually get a much needed win that will keep you going.

Til Next Time
Simply Lola