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Member of Bloomington music group makes 'Idol' top 24
By Dan Craft
dcraft@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- The odds of two contestants with Twin City connections appearing on “American Idol” in a month’s time are probably close to astronomical. Welcome to the world of the astronomical.

As of this week, the Twin Cities have been represented twice on “Idol” — with more to come next week.

For this second lightning strike in the same spot, we have Luke Menard, a member of the Bloomington-based a cappella group Chapter 6, to thank.

On Wednesday night’s episode of the Fox series, Menard was named one of the top 24 finalists for the current seventh season.

Prior to that, he was merely one of 164 semi-finalists.

Menard’s “American Idol” showing came fast on the heels of Bloomington native Angie (Basolo) Raile, who appeared on the Jan. 16 episode. Even though Raile’s performance got a thumb’s down from Simon Cowell and his fellow judges, she received considerable air-time on the show, along with her husband, Chad.

On Wednesday night’s “American Idol,” Menard’s taped reaction to making the top 24 cut was broadcast. His first live on-air performance will come on next week’s show.

Because of that, Menard won’t be able to return home to Central Illinois in time for Chapter 6’s previously scheduled concert at Eureka College at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Cerf Center.

However, the band’s full-time replacement singer, Mark Grizzard of Bloomington, will take his place without missing a beat, said fellow Chapter 6 singer Chuck Bosworth, of Springfield. When he isn’t filling in for missing members, Grizzard is also Chapter 6’s music arranger and sound engineer.

Bosworth said the 28-year-old Menard was traveling Thursday and unavailable for comment. But he said he and the rest of the group members — John Musick, Nathan Pufall and Jarrett Johnson, all of Bloomington-Normal, and A.D. Stonecipher, of Bethalto — were all rooting for their fellow performer.

“We’re all wishing Luke the very best,” Bosworth said. “And I’m sure we’ll be watching next week.”

Menard’s odyssey began late last summer during an audition held in Omaha. Per regulation “American Idol” secrecy, the news of his advancement to the finals wasn’t made public until Wednesday night.

The Crawfordsville, Ind., native crossed paths with his fellow Chapter 6 members on the campus of Decatur’s Millikin University around 12 years ago. Though begun as a student group, Chapter 6 has since become a full-time career for the seven members.

The ensemble’s a cappella expertise has won them numerous awards in competitions around the country and made them renowned for their renditions of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and, above all, said Bosworth, a six-minute condensed version of the entire song score to “The Wizard of Oz.”

Will Menard score an automatic six votes from his fellow Chapter 6 members next Wednesday night?

“I would hope so,” said Bosworth.
Take a look
Luke Menard, a member of the Bloomington-based singing group Chapter 6, was named one of "American Idol's" Top 24 Wednesday night. (Fox TV photo)
Menard, second from left, is seen here with his Chapter 6 bandmates.
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Reader comments on this story - 35 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Annie wrote on Feb 27, 2008 12:55 AM:

" I freaked when I saw Mark Grizzard in the intro pic before Luke sang. It's like the twilight zone. lol "

To JTE wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:09 PM:

" They encourage the contestants to interpret the music differently than the original artist. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but they do NOT encourage them to "sound just like the record". That is, in fact, frowned upon in the competition. Have you ever actually watched the show? There are some extraordinary talents on there! Take a look at the Chris Daughtry or Blake Lewis seasons and then get back to us.

And getting back to the point of the article, congratulations to Luke! Here's hoping he sounds like his own record! "

spense wrote on Feb 16, 2008 9:22 PM:

" American Idol is far more entertaining than 99% of the network crap! In fact it's the only show I make a point to watch! "

To Read this wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:38 PM:

" All I do is read the Pantagraph's website for enjoyment so we are in the same boat. "

Read this wrote on Feb 15, 2008 2:57 PM:

" Why do you people always insult each other. Some people watch this show because it's what they enjoy doing. The people you call idiots for watching this show might think the same thing about you for whatever it is you do for enjoyment. "

We're rootin for ya! wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:39 PM:

" Good luck, Luke! :) "

JTE wrote on Feb 15, 2008 1:30 PM:

" American Idol isn't about really singing. It's about performing as a singer (a huge difference) within a specific and very narrow range of musical styles. The song doesn't matter, and the singer isn't expected to be invested emotionally with the lyrics. All that matters is that the singer have a commercial look, and that they overuse the so-called "emotional" aspects of singing. So, hitting notes dead-on and understanding the whole song isn't important. Looking either physically attractive or a little weird (but not too weird) is more important. And doing a bad Whitney Houston butcher job while mimicing the recording (don't ever invest any of your own interpretation it MUST SOUND LIKE THE RECORD) is vital. It's just bad karoke. "

fan wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:26 PM:

" I heard Evan Savage auditioned and didn't make it?!?!?! he is SO good. "

Ummmm wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:02 PM:

" So, if someone who watches American Idol is an idiot, what does one have to watch to be considered a genius? Star Trek??? What if you watch both? "

to Ummmm wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:43 AM:

" But it should be! "

Ummmm wrote on Feb 15, 2008 11:37 AM:

" I'm not sure I want to live in a world where someone's intelligence is measured by what they watch on television. "

to Self Important wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:40 AM:

" Star Trek reruns are infinitely preferable to American idol or any other pop culture crap. "

to Self Important wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:32 AM:

" Exactly! I couldn't have said it better myself! "

dwarf wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:05 AM:

" I may have to check it out now. I've liked Idol in the past, but this year so far has been exactly like last year. Boring, boring, boring. "

WOW!! wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Man... he is awesome!! I hope he goes all the way!! GOOD LUCK!!!! "

Kriss wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:41 AM:

" Luke your hot! Good luck man! "

Self Important wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:52 AM:

" It is very important that I convey to you the notion that I don't know what American Idol is and that you understand that I would be very uncool if I were to watch it. Should I lead you to believe that I am even slightly entertained by viewing this program, which, and let me be clear about this, I don't, then I fear that my sexuality and level of cool may come into question. I only know about this show, and how to spell it, because of all of the lemmings that I work with. It would be uber nerdy of me to say that I thought people like Carrie Underwood actually had talent. I wouldn't waste my time even writing about this show in fact because I care so little about it. Truthfully, I don't even read the articles in the Pantagraph about it. That's why I refuse to even entertain the thought of submitting a comment...............American Idol...........please.......there are Star Trek reruns to watch. "

Congrats! wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:33 AM:

" Wow - congrats Luke!! They all have amazing voices. . .if you haven't heard them perform, it is a great show! The other members of the group are Jarrett Johnson, Mark Grizzard, and John Musick (who are all originally of Normal), A.D. Stonecipher, Chuck Bosworth, and Nathan Pufall. All of them went to college together at Millikin University, and have been singing professionally since about 2001. "

Todd the Bod wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:47 PM:

" What is this American Idle? A radio program? "

skyler wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:07 PM:

" Way to go Jeff! I always knew you’d make it big some day. Don’t forget all us guys at O’Malley’s. Best of luck to you in New York. We’re all pulling for you and Kim. "

to To: Me wrote on Feb 14, 2008 8:07 PM:

" Believe it or not, there are other stations besides WBNQ so is entirely possible that the person has never heard about all that you mentioned. Its also news to me, seeing as I don't waste my time like that. "

To: Me wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:46 PM:

" You have got to be kidding. American Idol is advertised everywhere. What rock do you live under? Do you listen to the radio? Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Akin and more. Have you ever seen "The Princess Diaries 2"? The part where she is walking in the parade with the little children? Kelly Clarkson sings the song that she is walking to. Boy are you dumb or what? You must have gone to school in Bloomington. Stupid town. Doesn't know how to educate. "

to: Confused wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:43 PM:

" He might hail from Indiana and went to school in Decatur but what they mean by a "local boy" is he lives here in Bloomington. "

Me wrote on Feb 14, 2008 6:19 PM:

" What is American-Idol all about. Have never watch it and don't plan on doing so no matter who is on it. "

N wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:58 PM:

" Could it be that other parts of the country and locals not involved in the arts are discovering what a lot of us have known for a long, long time? That we have some very very talented people hailing from Central Illinois! It is not just sports that is at a very high caliber. "

Confused wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:23 PM:

" If he hails from Indiana and went to school in Decatur how is he a "local boy"? Good Luck regardless! "

Kev wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:15 PM:

" I heard Chapter 6 sing and they were unbelievable. I knew Luke was the Justin Timberlake of the group and would break free like an eagle soaring towards the sun. "

not a fan of A.I. ... wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:10 PM:

" but I'll watch it just to see a local boy. And he's pretty hot!1 Good luck Luke!!! "

a reader wrote on Feb 14, 2008 3:35 PM:

" I have heard Chapter 6 perform... they are awesome!!! Good luck Luke! "

Yeah wrote on Feb 14, 2008 3:30 PM:

" Oh good. Now i have a reason to watch the show. Best wishes from your hometown. "

Me wrote on Feb 14, 2008 3:30 PM:

" Whats american idol? "

Go Luke! wrote on Feb 14, 2008 3:05 PM:

" Finally, the local media has noticed we have a local guy on Idol. Vote for Luke!!! "

YAY wrote on Feb 14, 2008 2:51 PM:

" Good for him! Hopefully he will win and, if he is like other past winners, will be dropped by the label less then a year later and never be heard from again.

But in the mean time, YAY! "

Cool!! wrote on Feb 14, 2008 2:49 PM:

" Who are the other members of the group not mentioned in the article? "

Meh wrote on Feb 14, 2008 2:48 PM:

" American Idol = television for idiots. Get this off the front page. McCain's pro-torture vote is a much bigger story. "
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