ION INDIE MAGAZINE August 2014, Volume 3 | Page 53

Photo credit: Doug Nelson

Kenny Matel knows a few things about
television talent competitions, having
auditioned for such shows such as
“America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice”.
He finally got his break on SIMON
COWELL’S “The X Factor” 2011. His
journey began as Kenny auditioned in
Nashville, TN, at a MY STUDIO
location in a shopping mall, where two
people stood in line in front of him.
Kenny performed his signature intro
“Everybody Wants to Rock n Roll”, and
waited several anguishing weeks to be
informed regarding his audition. That
phone call came, and justlikethat,
Kenny was directed to travel to Dallas,
TX, where he automatically moved
straight to the Finals at the AMERICAN
AIRLINES ARENA.

On a delayed flight with tornado
warnings in effect for the Dallas area,
Kenny reached his hotel room with adrenaline pumping and thoughts of how his dream was at last, coming
true. Driving the new yellow convertible Chevy Camero Bumble Bee, Kenny felt like a Rock Star and
marveled at how surreal the whole scenario was. “Wow, is this really happening?” he said.
Doors opened for contestants at 6:00 a.m., where Kenny was the third person standing in line on 3 hours
of sleep. Registered and ready, Kenny was in for a very long wait--as he wouldn’t be performing until 8:00
p.m. that night!
He was tired, a little nervous, and even more excited, while he waited behind the curtain as the next up to
perform. Kenny kicked off his shoes and dropped down and did 50 pushups to get his adrenaline pumping
again. The camera crew asked him to continue the exercising and Kenny obliged as he stretched and
readied himself to dance across the biggest stage he ever had been on.
At last, Kenny appeared from behind the curtain with a sexy strut and a wireless mic in his hand and made
sure to hit his mark--the taped “X” in the middle of the stage—to the enthusiastic applause of the audience
of 10,000 filling the arena.