Look/Listen

Chris Bandi’s ride on American Idol may be over, but that doesn’t mean the St. Louis native is done with music.

It was last summer that the 22-year-old decided to drive home from the University of Mississippi to try his hand at the show. After a series of auditions in which Bandi sang Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis” and Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See,” he was given the golden ticket to Hollywood. One experience Bandi says he’ll never forget is when judge Jennifer Lopez told him he’d received the first unanimous “yes” in the St. Louis round.

Bandi’s love of music started when he was a kid and progressed as he got older. He grew up listening to a wide range of music, from country to blues to rock. Artists he credits as inspiration include Garth Brooks, Dave Matthews Band and Kenny Chesney.

He and his friends formed a band while at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Frontenac, and went on to win several Battle of the Bands competitions throughout St. Louis. After high school, Bandi went to the University of Mississippi where he started concentrating more on school and let his music take a backseat. Last summer, though, he says he experienced a shift in focus.

“I just said, ‘You know what, I’d rather play music all day than work on marketing stuff.’”

Bandi took his final exam early and ventured home for the American Idol audition. After he got the thumbs up from the judges, he was forced to contain his excitement. He had to keep it a secret until the episode aired earlier this year and could only tell a few close family members.

“That was probably harder than the audition itself,” he said.

Bandi’s experience came to an end on his second day in Hollywood when the judges decided against keeping him on the show, but he has plenty to fall back on.

Now that his Idol stint is over, Bandi is able to put all of his effort into an opportunity that presented itself before the show began. He is in the process of putting together a demo under the guidance of some industry insiders in Nashville who have previously worked with country music artists Keith Urban and Jake Owen. The opportunity arose when Bandi was seen performing at a show in St. Louis. He hopes his demo will generate enough interest by record labels to get him signed.

Although it may have come and gone quickly, one thing Bandi credits American Idol with giving him is reassurance.

“The only people I had played for before were family members and friends, and of course they’re going to say you’re good even if you’re terrible,” he said. “So this actually made me believe in myself a little more.”

For more of Chris Bandi, visit myspace.com/chrisbandimusic or Like his Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Chris-Bandi-Music/139969639424567.