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It’s official: West Frankfort’s Dustin Keele is going to Hollywood!
The 26-year-old substitute teacher who appeared briefly on Thursday night’s episode of “American Idol” heard the famous line from judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson following his St. Louis audition in the summer of 2011.
Because of Fox Network’s non-disclosure agreement with the program’s contestants, word on the big news was mum until after the episode aired, but now Keele is the hot topic around the community and on social media. But apparently, local fans aren’t the only ones impressed.
“After the auditions, Steven Tyler came and found me to have a conversation,” Keele said. “He wanted to encourage me and give me some pointers for the next step. He told me that I had a better voice than many of the winners in the past! ‘Come to Hollywood and own it!’ he said. After that, we just sort of chatted about our lives.
“He got out his phone and showed me pictures of his friend, Joe Perry’s horses,” Keele said. “He made me feel like a friend. I should mention, his daughter, Mia was with him. She was also really encouraging and warm. ‘Don’t forget your words, and work well with others,’ she said.”
This season of Idol wasn’t Keele’s first round with the show. He has tried out several times before only to come up short. However, being turned away only fueled Keele’s fire, allowing him to grow professionally, put his faith in a higher power and become more focused on his goal of sharing his music with the world.
“For me, music isn’t just a passion or a hobby,” Keele said. “It’s a calling — one I’ve wrestled with for years. I used to think that if God called you to something, it would be easy. I thought that a series of open doors would mean that I’m on the right road. I’ve learned that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“God has lovingly shown me that obstacles and failures are necessary; the process of refinement and strengthening is costly,” he said. “I had found myself tearfully rejected and discouraged many times before I received my Golden Ticket to Hollywood. God gave me grace to learn and grow in my valleys of despair instead of becoming bitter. Without question, I wouldn’t be the musician I am today without those painful lessons.”
It’s official: West Frankfort’s Dustin Keele is going to Hollywood!
The 26-year-old substitute teacher who appeared briefly on Thursday night’s episode of “American Idol” heard the famous line from judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson following his St. Louis audition in the summer of 2011.
Because of Fox Network’s non-disclosure agreement with the program’s contestants, word on the big news was mum until after the episode aired, but now Keele is the hot topic around the community and on social media. But apparently, local fans aren’t the only ones impressed.
“After the auditions, Steven Tyler came and found me to have a conversation,” Keele said. “He wanted to encourage me and give me some pointers for the next step. He told me that I had a better voice than many of the winners in the past! ‘Come to Hollywood and own it!’ he said. After that, we just sort of chatted about our lives.
“He got out his phone and showed me pictures of his friend, Joe Perry’s horses,” Keele said. “He made me feel like a friend. I should mention, his daughter, Mia was with him. She was also really encouraging and warm. ‘Don’t forget your words, and work well with others,’ she said.”
This season of Idol wasn’t Keele’s first round with the show. He has tried out several times before only to come up short. However, being turned away only fueled Keele’s fire, allowing him to grow professionally, put his faith in a higher power and become more focused on his goal of sharing his music with the world.
“For me, music isn’t just a passion or a hobby,” Keele said. “It’s a calling — one I’ve wrestled with for years. I used to think that if God called you to something, it would be easy. I thought that a series of open doors would mean that I’m on the right road. I’ve learned that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
“God has lovingly shown me that obstacles and failures are necessary; the process of refinement and strengthening is costly,” he said. “I had found myself tearfully rejected and discouraged many times before I received my Golden Ticket to Hollywood. God gave me grace to learn and grow in my valleys of despair instead of becoming bitter. Without question, I wouldn’t be the musician I am today without those painful lessons.”
Keele said fighting to achieve something great is like running a marathon: It requires commitment and training. “It’s difficult,” he said. “You will hit walls. But, the ecstasy of reaching the goal surpasses all the rest. I’m blessed to be able to praise God for my obstacles.”
Despite knowing that he was following the path carved specifically for him, Keele still had his moments where he struggled to share his talent, especially when sharing involved being judged by mega-superstar Jennifer Lopez.
“Opening yourself up to sing for any audience can make you feel vulnerable and afraid,” Keele said. “Imagine having to do it in front of Jennifer Lopez. It’s safe to say I couldn’t have done it without God. No doubt.”
Keele studies voice in Nashville and has been involved in music for many years. His mother is a teacher at Frankfort Intermediate School and has remained one of his biggest influences. West Frankfort and all of southern Illinois will be cheering him on in what everyone hopes to be a long and victorious journey on Idol.
Be sure to follow Keele on faceback and on twitter @dustnkeele. Clips of Keele are also available on his youtube channel, keele85.
