That's true.
So that's how I looked at it. What I was doing apparently wasn't right. My image wasn't right. The only thing I was doing right was working hard. I had a lot of dedication for what I loved to do. Idol really helped me to hone my craft. It was very good for people like me who'd been doing it a long time and really needed a break. That's all I ever thought I was going get out of Idol. I was going to go to the audition, they were going to tell me I was all wrong for the show, but ‘call this guy.’ That's what the business is about.
I auditioned every day for gigs. Playing bars, playing at events, playing at fairs, festivals, whatever - they're all auditions. Sometimes you get told 'no,' and sometimes 'no' is not bad. Sometimes people telling you 'no' is the best thing. A lot of people might think of it as rejection. I've been turned down by people that could have taken my talent and capitalized off of it, and then when it came time for Idol I would've been in a contract and been stuck. I’ve came across a lot of people who said, 'You're not ready, you're partying too much. Don't do the drugs and the alcohol.' Like I was when I was younger. All those times hearing 'no' ended up to that big 'yes' that I got from American Idol.
What advice do you have for this year's Idol hopefuls?
A lot of people might go on Idol and think, 'Oh I got turned down.' Use that as a stepping stone. Use that to build yourself up for the next thing you that want to conquer. Don't ever take no for an answer in this business. And if you do, you're in the wrong business. Doesn't mean you can't have feelings, but don't let your feelings get hurt. There's a lot of people out there that love ol' Bo Bice. But there's about one in fifty that really don't like him too.
I ain't going to spend my nights sleepless worrying about the people that don't want me to succeed. I'm going to go out and try to be the best at what I can do, be the best dad I can be, and accomplish the most that I can. And help as many people along the way, instead of bringing them down. And then it don't matter what they say about you, as long as they're talking.
Article comments
1 - Eden
Hmmm! David Archuleta and Brooke White are the only ones I can remember from the top 12 during last season to play the piano. I wonder which one he felt was hiding behind the piano?
2 - Buck
I think he probably meant Brooke White was the one hiding behind the piano.
3 - rainbow
Good article. Interesting that Bo lost his contract cos he was sick. I don't believe I've ever heard him say that before. Still, things have a way of working out and now Bo has his own studio and can do what he wants. Yay Bo! You rock!