Warren singer gets cut from 'Idol' in Hollywood

STAFF REPORT

WARREN

Shane Golden appeared this week on the TV show “American Idol,” now in its 10th series.

The Warren native got involved with the show after winning the Youngstown “Idol “competition in July at Eastwood Mall in Niles. The 25-year-old Golden sang R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly,” in the FOX Youngstown-sponsored competition to advance to an audition before producers in East Rutherford, N.J.

But it was after an audition in Austin, Texas, where the Warren JFK High School graduate became one of 300 contestants who received “golden tickets” to Hollywood to appear on the show.

A promotional video on AmericanIdol.com interviews Golden, in which he says, “What made me audition was the simple fact that I always had a dream of doing something bigger than the ordinary as far as music, singing is concerned.”

He advanced through Hollywood Group night, but “American Idol” Thursday ended with an announcement that Golden would not be among the 50 to advance in the show.

Also eliminated on Thursday night was the only other area contestant, Kenzie Palmer, who also auditioned in New Jersey. This was the first season American Idol had lowered the minimum age for participation.

Palmer is a resident of West Middlesex, Pa., but on the show said she attended a performing arts school. Her audition (Carrie Underwood's "We're Young and Beautiful") was featured on the show.