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61 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, October 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 9, 2004 Kelley Chaffee No Idol shot? No problem By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune In one short summer, Southern Oregon Idol winner Kelley Chaffee rocketed from relative obscurity to local celebrity to a shot at global fame — and back down again. And no one is happier with her path’s trajectory than Chaffee, 24, of Grants Pass. "I hate competition," says Chaffee, who was guaranteed an audition for the television show "American Idol" after beating 190 other local entrants in seven performances held in July and August. As the event’s preliminary auditions evolved into four nights of competition before a packed house at Medford’s Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, it was Chaffee who got the winning nod from Southern Oregon Idol’s five final judges. Advertisement "Make sure you remember us when you’re a big-time star," judge Rosemary Harrington said at the time. When Chaffee and her mother flew to the "American Idol" competition in Las Vegas on Sept. 11, Chaffee was unfazed. "I wouldn’t allow myself to feel the pressure," says the clear-eyed blonde. "They can try to feed you the poison, but you don’t have to drink it." After signing away what Chaffee laughingly calls her "idiot rights" and performing in a group-ensemble rendition of the Pointer Sisters’ "I’m So Excited," Chaffee says she and the 25 other area winners were escorted to the hotel basement area. There they were placed in lines in front of tables separated by black curtains. People affiliated with the television show told the winners to begin singing for their chance to be on the television show, she says. "It was a total cattle call. And I got to go at the head of the cattle call," she says. "They told us, ‘OK, sing.’ So I sang." When Chaffee finished singing, another "Idol" representative approached her. "Someone came up to me and cut off my wristband," she says. "They said, ‘That’s as far as we’re going to take you.’ I think they cut off the bands of the four other people who were in my row, too." Chaffee was relieved. "They told us, ‘We’re looking for a star.’ I knew that meant, ‘We’re looking for someone we can package,’ " she says. "I don’t want to be packaged. If I have to do anything other than change the length of my hair or maybe my shoes, I don’t want to do it." Chaffee joined last summer’s competition as a lark — and at the urging of her mother. "I remember thinking, ‘How cheesy is this going to be?,’ " she says with a smile. "But I figured it would be a kick, too." Chaffee grew up singing with her father in the church choir and has sung with a couple of local bands. Already comfortable singing in front of crowds, Chaffee thought she might have a chance at winning. She says she was impressed with the local competition. "There’s an amazing amount of concentrated talent in this area," she says. Chaffee says she doesn’t regret her Idol experience. "Everyone wanted me to be mad," she says. "But it’s the best ending for me." It was validating to receive such positive feedback for her talents, especially in her own back yard, she says. And she can’t wait to get back to doing what she really enjoys — singing and writing music. "There’s nothing I can’t do. It totally motivated me," says Chaffee. Craterian production manager and event coordinator Brad Nelson says he hasn’t had any recent contact with anyone associated with the television show. He had no explanation for Chaffee’s "cattle call" experience, other than to say the producers were culling from thousands of entrants. Nelson said if network and local interest remained strong, there could be a 2005 Southern Oregon Idol competition. Tonight Chaffee will come full circle. She will be singing with Gabriel and the Technicians at the Bulls-Eye Bistro in the Ashland Springs Hotel. "I’d rather be someone tangible, and be real, than be an idol," she says. "Besides, everyone knows fame in no way equals quality — and vice versa." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities