We listened to the weekly broadcasts and mentally aligned ourselves with favorites. We were so invested that at one point, I wrote a story about the contestants for my then 7 year old daughter, who loved music and Idol.
I based the story on a favorite book I read them, Tommy at the Grocery Store, where the child got lost in the store and everyone who found him confused him with a grocery item. Amazon informs me that I purchased this book in 2000. That's some serious history.
All that aside, I am compelled to share my own tribute. It involved the 2005 contestants on AI, my daughter and her passions. She loved (s) music. I am sharing this because she just auditioned for a show and it all came back.
I proudly present: (written by me, inspired by Bill Grossman and the 2005 season of AI competitors).
Maddy at the Music Store
Mommy left poor Maddy sitting
At the music store.
With player pianos and shiny guitars,
Mommy walked right out the door.
Constantine walked in the store,
And picked up the little girl.
Thinking she was a microphone,
He sang and gave a twirl.
His voice didn't get any louder,
He put his mouth right next to her ear.
"This isn't a microphone, there is no cord,
You've got a defective microphone here."
"Hey Bo, what do you think?
This microphone's broken, I fear."
Bo looked at Maddy and loudly proclaimed,
"Silly guy, it's a guitar you have here!"
Bo picked her up and turned her sideways,
Strumming at her belly.
Maddy giggled but didn't make music,
And Bo made her laugh like a bowl of jelly.
"Yo, Anwar, this guitar isn't working!
Tell me what you see."
Anwar took a look at Maddy and said,
"Bo, It's a piano, listen when I play a key!"
Anwar pressed Maddy's nose,
And much to his surprise,
No sounds came out, so he pressed her ear,
Still no sound, pressing the eyes!
Anthony ran in and looked at him asking,
"What are you trying to do?
That's not a piano, it's a tambourine!"
And grabbed her by her shoe.
Anthony was tapping Maddy
From her head down to her toe.
"This tambourine's not working, guys,
It simply has to go!"
Nadia walked in the store ,
Looking at Anthony's confusion.
"Anthony, what are you doing?
Do you think that is some sort of musician?"
Nadia was with Mario, and asked him,
"Hey, buddy, what do you think?
This doesn't look like an instrument,
But rather some sort of drink."
Mario tipped Maddy over,
Trying to take a sip.
Nothing came out and he was confused,
And put his hand to his hip.
Just about then, Maddy's Mommy walked in,
Smiling with great delight.
"Oh Maddy, here you are...
Let's get home while it's still light!"
She grabbed the little girl's hand
And walked across the floor.
Maddy turned around and waved,
As she stepped out the door.
Good luck to Maddy at the Music Store. You've got a lot more music in store for your future.
With love...
