Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance by David Archuleta; Monica Haim

Author:David Archuleta; Monica Haim
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: , Autobiography, specific bands & groups, Music, Autobiography: arts & entertainment, Body, Composers & Musicians - Pop, Archuleta, Pop Vocal, Individual composers & musicians, Singers, Genres & Styles - Pop Vocal, Popular Music, 1990-, Entertainment & Performing Arts, David, United States, Mind & Spirit, Personal Memoirs, Genres & Styles, Autobiography: The Arts, Rock & Pop music, Composers & Musicians, General, New Age, Inspiration & Personal Growth, Biography & Autobiography, Singers - United States, Biography
ISBN: 9780451230188
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Published: 2010-09-15T12:18:08.339000+00:00

The look on my face here says it all: happy and excited all at once

But I didn’t want get too ahead of myself, and tried to just see that moment for what it was: a baby step of progress. Not toward the goal of being on the show necessarily, but for the sake of my ability to start believing in any positive feedback that I would get. I stayed on course with the decision of not telling anyone and just kept looking forward.

For the next round on Thursday, there was a giant list of songs that we could choose from. We couldn’t just sing whatever we wanted because of licensing issues; we could only sing songs that were cleared by the show. I picked “Heaven” by Bryan Adams. I remember rehearsing with the musical directors, Debra Byrd and Michael Orland, which was also when we finally started singing with the band. Everything was starting to feel more official, more serious. I’m sure all the contestants could feel this professional shift in the way things were being handled, and we all tried our best to step it up. There was a very synergistic vibe in the air. Everyone was so excited, and clearly inspired by the amazing singing we were getting to hear from one another. There was so much raw talent on that stage, so many different voices and styles. It was beyond awesome.

The three days gave us the chance to start mingling, too. I remember meeting Michael Johns, and for the first time seeing David Cook perform. I also got to meet Brooke White, who was in the Top 5, and I clicked with her instantly. It was so nice to be able to make a friend with similar background and values to share this experience with. But at the end of each of those days, I came back to the hotel where we were all staying and practiced my songs or the piano. I was happy to be meeting other people but I didn’t want to get too distracted.

During these days, we also had lots of interviews with more producers and executives. By now we were also being filmed, and having the camera on me was by far one of the most difficult things to get used to. I don’t have to remind you of my shyness, so imagine me trying to not come across like Mr. Awkward every time we had to film an interview. I had to work really hard to keep myself together, which I did by acting like I didn’t care that a camera was up in my face. Fake it until you make it, right? In time it would get easier to do, but those first few interviews were especially intimidating and worse than a total nightmare.

After I sang in the third round, Simon said he didn’t like “Heaven” as much as he had liked “Crazy,” but that it was still good. He seemed pleased (well, as pleased as Simon ever gets); and the rest of the judges gave positive comments, too.

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