Chaney graduate tries to transform his career

If you saw “American Idol” last week (Feb. 9), you might remember the audition by Drew Beaumier, who was dressed as a Ford Mustang Transformer.

The outfit was hard to forget. But the name also could ring a bell. Beaumier is a Youngstown native and a 2004 graduate of Chaney High School.

He went into Transformer mode for the judges — got down on all four wheels — and sang a few bars of “Born To Be Wild.”

And botched it. He forgot the lyrics at one point and, after a short pause, sang the chorus and then stood up. The judges were amused but not impressed. Steven Tyler sarcastically said, “Your outfit is so slamming; I like your voice.” When Beaumier incredulously replied, “Really?” Tyler mouthed, “Joking.” As the dejected Beaumier left the stage, Tyler sneeringly called out to him, “Before you go, how many miles per gallon?”

Beaumier, 24, holds a degree in film studies from the University of Toledo. He moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 2009 to try to break into the film industry.

He’s working as a bartender but supplements that income with his Transformer costumes, which he makes out of second-hand Power Wheels riding toys. Beaumier disassembles them and straps them to his body, adding lacrosse pads and other sports gear to complete the robot look.

He also can be found on Hollywood Boulevard in his Transformer get-up, along with others who dress in costume or as stars. It’s an odd part of the Hollywood tourism trade. Folks will take photos with Beaumier and his cohorts in exchange for tips. He says it nets him more cash than his bartending job.

As for his “American Idol” catastrophe, Beaumier isn’t giving up. “I was disappointed in my singing on the show,” he said. “I never tried to sing in costume. Plus, ‘Born To Be Wild’ wasn’t my main audition song. [The show’s directors] asked me to do something that would sort of go with the costume.”

Beaumier said he will audition again next year.

YSU LITERARY MAGAZINE SEEKS SUBMISSIONS for next edition

Jenny, the online literary magazine at Youngstown State University, is accepting submissions for its second issue, which will be unveiled this spring.

The premiere issue, which was released last fall, received 150 submissions, including one from Korea. Check it out at jennymag.org.

That first issue was considered a success. But for the spring issue, the staff is encouraging submissions from not just the Youngstown area but the whole Northeast Ohio-western Pennsylvania region.

Writers in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Kent, Pittsburgh and Columbus are asked to send in their work.

The magazine takes its name from the former “Jenny” blast furnace at the Brier Hill Works of Youngstown Sheet & Tube (blast furnaces are traditionally given names). Bruce Springsteen mentioned it in his song “Youngstown,” in which an out-of-work steelworker laments his life and how it parallels the ruined steel industry. “My sweet Jenny I’m sinking down, here, darling, in Youngstown,” go the lyrics.

Jenny was silenced in the late 1970s and demolished in 1996.

Chris Barzak, a YSU professor and author of two novels (“One for Sorrow” and “The Love We Share Without Knowing”), is the faculty advisor for Jenny, the magazine. Chris Lettera is president, and Andrew Whitmer is vice president.

Poland actor is Number 8 in ‘I Am Number Four’

Jeff Hochendoner of Poland has a role in “I Am Number Four,” the sci-fi action film that was shot in the Pittsburgh area and set in the fictional town of Paradise, Ohio. Hochendoner plays Sheriff James, the father of lead character John, played by Alex Pettyfer. Steven Spielberg is executive producer, and Michael Bay is producer. D.J. Caruso is director.

Hochendoner is a regular in the films shot in Pittsburgh’s growing film industry, and he is especially excited about this one. The film has Spielberg’s hands all over it, and Hochendoner is listed No. 8 in the credits. Hochendoner said he was called out to Hollywood just before the holidays to shoot some additional footage. Spielberg wanted to establish more of a connection between Hochendoner’s character and that of his son’s girlfriend (played by Dianna Agron, best known for her role as Quinn Fabray on the TV hit “Glee”).

CeeNiAL wants your vote in record-contract contest

Youngstown rapper CeeNiAL, aka Chris Mullins, is competing in an online contest for upcoming artists to win a recording contract. Go to slipnsliderecords.net. Click on “on da grind” and then click on the photo of CeeNiAL. A photo and biography will appear, as well as a box. Click on “sign this cat now” and vote as many times as you want. Whoever has the most votes will win the contest and will receive a record deal. CeeNiAL is the only rapper from Youngstown in the contest. His latest CD, “One Love,” is available on iTunes.

Slip N Slide Records of Miami is home to several top hip-hop artists, including Rick Ross, who played at Youngstown’s Covelli Centre last week.