Provoan takes 'Idol' stage

Provo native John Preator took the stage with fellow "American Idol" contestants Tuesday as they tried to convince judges and voters nationwide that they have what it takes to be a pop culture superstar.

While Preator didn't fare too well with the show's judges, some local students at Brigham Young University where Preator studies said they thought he did well.

"His face just lights up," said fellow BYU performer Becca Schwartz. "He just loves to perform."

Schwartz said 23-year-old Preator has good potential.

"The beginning was a little more shaky, but he had good key change," Schwartz said.

Heather Brinkerhoff said Preator began trying out to get on "American Idol" during fall semester.

On campus Preator has worked extensively as an accompanist for tryouts into the music school and for productions. He also performs with BYU's Young Ambassadors. Preator has the ability to parlay what he has been seeing for many years into how he performs, Schwartz said.

Each week, Brinkerhoff and other friends of Preator have been gathering to watch "American Idol." In the early episodes of the show, Preator wasn't often on camera. The group taped each episode so they could review it to catch even a second of Preator's face.

"We stop and rewind it and say 'there's John!' " Brinkerhoff said.

The last time Brinkerhoff spoke with Preator was last Tuesday, just before he left for Los Angeles. She and other friends were giving him advice about performing.

"He's going to focus on the performance because the first three notes is what people judge you on," Brinkerhoff said prior to seeing Tuesday's show.

No matter the outcome for Preator, Brinkerhoff said making it as one of the eight preliminary finalists on Tuesday is already a big accomplishment.

"He has confidence, and he knows what a good performer is," Brinkerhoff said. "I think he'll be happy with it and enjoy the experience he has had."

Following Tuesday's television performance, the celebrity judges were harsh as they critiqued Preator.

"That was awful," said Simon Cowell, one of the judges and a BMG Music executive.

The hometown group watching in Provo strongly disagreed with Cowell's assessment.

"Just because they rubbed John, none of these people are very good," said Kim Gardner, a fellow BYU student.