Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, August 08, 2008

Winona man auditioning for ‘Idol’ today in Kansas City

By Käri Knutson / Lee Newspapers

Think good thoughts for 19-year-old Tim Olstad this morning. He’s auditioning for “American Idol” producers at a casting call today in Kansas City, Mo.

Thousands of hopefuls will have to take their place in line. Olstad will get to bump ahead, thanks to winning Sunday’s Fox 25/48 Fox Fest Idol competition at Skipper Liner Marina in La Crosse. Twenty singers — which included five contestants each from previous auditions held in Winona, Eau Claire, Wis., and La Crosse — competed for top honors. Five more also qualified at the finals held Sunday.

“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by The Temptations was the winning song Olstad sang. He hopes it proves lucky again today.

Olstad, who graduated from Cotter High School this year, qualified in Winona. It was his first time trying out for “Idol.” Last year, he won DTI’s Local Vocal Extravaganza.

For Olstad, music runs in the family. His mom, Julie, is an elementary music teacher with Winona Area Catholic Schools and his dad, Gene, used to be a band director in Lewiston, Minn., and is now retired.

Olstad grew up singing Disney songs and whatever he heard on the radio. Last year, he starred as Joseph in Cotter’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Before performances, he gets a little nervous.

“Once I hit the stage, I’m super comfortable,” he said.

He’s been honing his performance skills Wednesdays singing karaoke at Wellington’s Pub & Grill in Winona. He was there this week for some last-minute practice.

“It helps me to sing in front of people,” he said. “I don’t want to look nervous.”

Olstad has watched “Idol” through the years. His favorite past contestant is David Archuleta, 2008’s runner-up to winner David Cook.

“He (Archuleta) should have won,” Olstad said.

Olstad’s Sunday win entitled him to an all-expenses paid trip to Kansas City with a $500 allowance for gas, $200 spending money and a two-night stay in a hotel.

Singing wasn’t the only talent required for the Fox Idol contest, said Fox 25 Promotions Manager Pat Stiphout. The judges were looking for “Idolness.”

“We are trying to find someone who will get on ‘American Idol.’ It’s not just the great voice,” Stiphout said. “There has to be a stage presence, a personality. He definitely was a performer.”

Stiphout says it can be the song or music genre that makes the judges pass on a singer.

“It’s in the eyes of the judges,” Stiphout said. “We’re hopeful that he does make it, and we see him come January.”

Olstad will have only 30 seconds, if that, to impress the producers with his voice and “Idolness.” Regardless, Olstad plans on studying vocal performance this fall at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

“I keep telling myself not to think ahead,” Olstad said. “Just to do what I do best. Keep my cool and sing my heart out.”

Tim Olstad: The next American Idol?

Could Winona’s own Tim Olstad be the next “American Idol”? The 19-year-old won the regional Fox Fest Idol competition Sunday in La Crosse and will audition Friday in Kansas City, Mo. His win means he gets to bud in front of the thousands of other hopefuls for a 30 second a cappella audition in front of “Idol” producers.

Video by Jerome Christenson\Winona Daily News

Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3523.