Local Musician Goes to Hollywood Tonight on 'American Idol'

Tune in to American Idol tonight and you just might see Royal Oak resident Drew Machak win a spot in the finals.

Then again, you might not. The 20-year-old graduate of Detroit Country Day High School and member of the local band The Blue Effect has yet to reveal what happened during his Hollywood tryout for the popular singing reality TV show, which was taped in recent months.

Because American Idol producers try to make it seem like this second phase in the audition process is happening in real time, contestants who have made it this far are banned from talking about their experiences.

One thing we do know is that Machak (MAY-check), who regularly returns to Royal Oak where his parents live, will be in Lansing tonight where he works part time at a tea lounge and takes online college courses. He said he might watch the show because he happens to have the night off.

"We'll see how it plays out," Machak said, apologizing he couldn't say more.

The unlikely Idol contestant definitely has his supporters, especially those who play with him in The Blue Effect. The band, whose five other members are full-time students at Michigan State University, won the school's Battle of the Bands contest last year with Machak singing lead vocals. The group continues to play regularly at venues in Lansing, Detroit, Indianapolis and Chicago, putting out an eclectic sound that draws inspiration from jazz, the classics of the 1960s and contemporary music.

Sam Bayoff, 20, plays the guitar and sings backup vocals for The Blue Effect. He attended Country Day with Machak and watched him perform in musicals throughout his high school career.

"Honestly, I was really impressed to see (Machak) go as far as he did," Bayoff said. "He is a very talented musician, and to see him be able to get to that level was really incredible."

But Machak didn't even try out for American Idol in Milwaukee last summer with the drive to actually be on the show. He told that he only went because his friend, Keith Honda, who has tried out for American Idol three times, thought they would have a better chance at standing out if they sang a duet.

The strategy worked, landing the pair in front of Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson. In a twist of fate, however, the panel chose to advance the less-interested Machak to the Hollywood round. 

"I felt so horrible. It was so brutal," Machak said. "Even for a long time after (the audition) it didn't feel like a great experience. My goal was to always get Keith to Hollywood."

Machak's reaction hints at his mixed feelings toward the show. He said American Idol is certainly a good way to get famous, but he's not necessarily interested in the kind of cookie-cutter personas that he thinks it tries to create.

Fellow band mate Will Jones expressed a similar sentiment.

"American Idol is a good platform for people to realize their dreams," said Jones, 20, who plays the saxophone and performs spoken word for The Blue Effect. "At the same time, I feel like the show passes up people who are truly talented, but not necessarily marketable to Idol's standards."

Jones cited as an example Honda, who also went to Country Day, but is not a member of The Blue Effect. "Keith has a fantastic voice, so it's really a shame he didn't make it to the next round," Jones said.

Still, Jones will be rooting for Machak tonight, but, like Machak, is not sure he'll be able to catch the show when it airs.

"I have to work very early Friday morning, so someone might have to text me about what happens," Jones said.