Idol Chatter & Voice Views

For several long moments in the Omaha audition episode, it didn’t appear Tyler Gurwicz would be Hollywood bound.

He’d gotten a yes to advance from Jennifer Lopez, but had heard “no” from Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.

Tyler Gurwicz earned a ticket to Hollywood at American Idol’s auditions in Omaha. (FOX Photo)

Harry, specifically, was concerned about Tyler’s versatility. So the Idol judge asked the 25-year-old from Burlington, Vt., to sing a second song for a chance to change his mind.

After opening his audition with Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” Tyler sang part of Jeff Buckley’s “Grace.”

It worked. Harry “The Hammer” — the most difficult Idol judge to please — changed his mind.

Turns out Tyler is far from a novice at this music business. He says in his Road to Hollywood video that he’s been singing for 10 years.

His inspiration: Bands who play his hometown and its “really cool hard rock scene.” In particular, he favors bands with “dynamic, melodic singers.”

Head over to Facebook and you’ll learn that Tyler has performed with The Urgency, a band that released a self-titled album in 2009 (available on iTunes) and Mystery Schools, a group that released a 5-track EP in March (available on bandcamp).

In his Road to Hollywood video, Tyler says auditioning for Idol seems “the logical next step” in terms of gaining exposure for his music. Besides, his family members are big fans of the show.

“I think what makes me unique is being 6-(foot)-3 and 200 pounds and singing Adele songs,” Tyler says with a laugh.”

If you’d like to follow Tyler, here are links to his Facebook page and Twitter account (@TylerGurwicz).

Below, I’ve embedded a couple of performances by Tyler. You can hear more at his YouTube channel or the Mystery Schools YouTube channel.

For profiles of more than 90 other Season 13 contestants, head here.

“Fingertips” (with The Urgency)

“Stockholm”

“Break Free” (with Mystery Schools)