June 16, 2009
After watching Kris Allen take the crown as the next American Idol on Fox, Michael J. Citak, a triple threat to stage and film, decided to lace up the proverbial boots once again and audition for the upcoming season of American Idol on June 14th. Driving from Wallingford CT to Foxboro Mass, Michael was determined to make the big time, regardless of the weather. Among the 8,000 Idol hopefuls, Michael too felt his luck would change with the weather as the skies cleared, and the sunshine peaked though the clouds onto the soaked Gillette Stadium field below. This was it, in just a few short hours, Michael's chance for Idol stardom, would start with the single audition that would change the course of this young man's life for ever, from a part time singer/actor, to a full time celebrity in the growing spotlight of Idol fame and glory. But that luck never came. Like the rain that eventually broke though, so did Michael's chance to show the world what a great singer he is, on one of the grandest stages of all, American Idol, in front of Millions worldwide.
"The audition went well" said Michael, after exiting the Stadium, and having his Idol wristband unceremoniously cut from his wrist, "The Producer liked my rendition of 'Bless the Broken Road' by Rascal Flatts, and then asked me to sing a second song, presumably to hear my higher range, so I chose 'Go the Distance' by Michael Bolton, made famous by the Disney film 'Hercules'. After seeing the Producer wink at me, and then converse behind a clipboard with another Producer who just sat down to relieve the other, He asked all four of us to walk forward to the table. After all the waiting, after all the singing, after all the rain, our journey on American came to an end, with the phrase "I'm sorry, but you're not what we are looking for this season." What are they looking for if it's not good performers? Understandably they're creating a TV show, but when they let tone deaf singers though, and people who just want to be on TV, instead of people like me, who actually take my craft seriously, there seriously is something wrong with the system."
Disheartened, but not upset, Michael and the rest of the Idol hopefuls, left the Stadium, only to be met by Field Reporter/ Videographer Lesley Arak from www.masslive.com. Lesley was glad to have met Michael, saying "You're a breath of fresh air!"
Did the Idol Producer make a mistake? Can it be that for the third time, Michael's talent has slipped though the cracks? You be the judge! Click the link and watch the clip. Michael is the last to sing at around 3 minutes 42 seconds.
| American Idol Auditions |
Trading 4 wheels for 2 - story by Tricia Taskey
by News Channel 8's Tricia Taskey
Posted June 28, 2008
5:29 PM
Wallingford (WTNH) -- Sky high gas prices have people all over changing their habits to conserve, but one Wallingford man has made a major life change.
Michael Citak is peddling around town on his bike these days. Gas prices drove him to sell his car.
"I was having a hard time making ends meet," he said. "I was making 10-dollars an hour at my job so once gas hit $4.00, I had to work one hour just to get to work everyday."
So, the 25-year old Wallingford man traded in four wheels for two. "My legs will be in great shape soon I'll get my 6-pak abs," Citak said.
However, the biggest perk is the savings. With no car payment and no car insurance or gas costs, Citak figures he's saving $700 a month. "If I do this for 5 years, I'll save $85,000," he said.
It's been an adjustment for Citak getting around in bad weather, not being able to travel as far and taking a little more time to get where ever he's going. "When your in the car you don't notice the hills," he said. "When your on the bike your legs feel it. I had to stop a few times and let my legs rest."
Citak also has a way to make a long distance trips. "I have friends with cars, my parents, grandparents, so it's not as bad," he said.
Now when Citak has to come to the gas station it's not to go to the gas pumps. He's going to put air in his tires, or just to get a drink to get him through the rest of his trip.
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