Reaching for the stars Reaching for the stars (February 27, 2004)

Pleasanton's own American Idol
by Teresa C. Brown

He's already somewhat of a local celebrity, especially among the customers at the Santa Rita Road Safeway. But for Donnie Williams, 20, the chance to be a national celebrity as a recording star is within his reach.

The Safeway deli employee has hung up his store uniform this week to compete in the next elimination rounds at American Idol, a network television program showcasing unknown singing talents.

The televised competition rounds with Williams will be aired on KTVU, Channel 2, at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Williams, who has never had formal voice training, wowed show judges with his satiny voice during his audition in Pasadena last fall. Chosen from 70,000 contestants, Williams, a Livermore resident, said he was one of 32 people who made the cut to compete on the show.

It was in September when Williams was at work early one morning and heard a radio announcement about an upcoming American Idol audition in Southern California.

"I heard it on the radio and asked my friends if I should do it," Williams said. At first he thought American Idol "wasn't the show for me. But my friends egged me on."

It was on a Tuesday that he decided to give the show a try, but he had to be in Pasadena by Friday for the Sunday audition. "I was there on Thursday. My friend drove his little bucket, and we made it," he said with a laugh.

By 10 a.m. audition day, a snaking line had formed. Contestants were ushered to one of 12 tables, with three judges per table, and given seconds to strut their singing talents. Numbered 360, Williams said he was in line for about five hours before getting his shot in front of the judges.

"I walked in there that day and was confident," he said. "And I was the first one to nail it that day."

After auditioning in front of one set of judges, he advanced to perform in front of the executive producer. From there came the next test, performing for the show judges: singer and dancer Paula Abdul, music producer Randy Jackson, and music executive Simon Cowell.

Cowell is known on the show for his caustic remarks that do not spare contestants' feelings. "Simon said I came off as an 'older person,'" Williams said. The comment may refer to Williams' stage presence that belies his young age.

For Williams, singing and performing comes naturally. He started singing in first grade and won his first talent competition when he was in grade school. He and his younger sister were in a talent show and won first place in his native Baton Rouge, La. "The trophy was taller than both of us," he said.

His only semblance of training occurred in high school when he sang in an a cappella choir for four years. Since then, Williams performs when and where he can. He recently opened a Warriors game in Oakland with the Star Spangled Banner.

The American Idol competition, which could advance Williams to the final showdown of 12 contestants, was scheduled to be taped today and aired March 2.

Friends, fans and store customers alike will be rooting for Williams during next week's show, all hoping the Pleasanton Safeway employee will become the next American Idol.

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