Local songwriter gets his 'Idol' shot

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this. This is his now. And, yes, he does make us proud.

Aaron Sidwell, a local singer-songwriter, could soon be a part of "American Idol" history.

He learned last week that his original song, titled "Something Like Heaven," is one of 20 finalists in the show's "American Idol Songwriter" competition.

Between now and April 23, fans can listen to all of the songs and rate them on the show's Web site, americanidol.com. The song that scores the highest will be performed by "Idol's" winner on finale night and will be released as the winner's first official single.

The chosen songwriter not only will get $10,000 and a publishing deal, but his or her song will become as recognizable as Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This," Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud" and Jordin Sparks' "This Is My Now."

Sidwell's entry includes all the requisite components of an "Idol" finale song: The big key change, a soaring high note and those inspirational "I CAN'T BELIEVE I WON!" lyrics.

He almost didn't enter it, though.

Sidwell had heard about the contest too late to enter last year. Then, a few weeks ago, he was online and noticed that the deadline for entering this year's contest was... in five hours.

He decided he didn't have time to get an entry together and blew it off.

But it gnawed at him.

He called a friend, who quickly helped him convert "Something Like Heaven" -- a track off his new album -- into an MP3 file. Sidwell sent his entry off to the show via e-mail at one minute until midnight on March 31.

He got the call that his song had made the top 20 on Tuesday.

Sidwell, a 26-year-old first-grade teacher at Allen Elementary, grew up in Wichita and has been writing music since he was 12.

Recently, Sidwell has been writing for other local musicians, but he also just finished his own album called "An Ugly Kind of Beautiful." (It's available on iTunes.)

Sidwell, whose first passion is performing, won a local singing competition called "Wichita Idol" in 2004 and was runner-up in 2003. (I was a judge on that panel and remember being impressed.)

He's also tried out for "American Idol" twice, though he's never gotten an audience with judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

Winning the songwriting competition would make up for that, Sidwell said, though he's realistic about his chances.

He's listened to his 19 competitors' songs, and many of them are good (and have finale-friendly titles like "Believe," "In This Moment," and "When You Come From Nothing.")

"It's going to be a tough competition," he said. "Let's just say that there are some very talented writers out there. I'm just really grateful to be considered among the top 20."

Vote for a songwriter

To vote in the "American Idol Songwriter" competition, go to www.americanidol.com and place your mouse over the "Show Guide" link. Then click on "American Idol Songwriter."

You'll have to register to vote, then will be asked to listen to snippets from all 20 songs and rate each of them on a scale of 1 to 10.