Lockport grad gets shot at ‘Idol’

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Kyle Driscoll of Lockport waves his "American Idol" golden ticket. | Submitted

Updated: March 8, 2012 8:14AM

A Lockport Township High School graduate is set to sing on a national stage, having been chosen to compete on Fox’s singing competition show, “American Idol.”

Kyle Driscoll, who also goes by Kyle Dee, graduated from LTHS in 2008 and is the lead singer for Chicago-based pop punk band The Frantic.

Driscoll, 21, got a ticket to compete on the show in Hollywood after an audition in St. Louis. The show featuring the St. Louis auditions aired Feb. 2.

Kyle and his mother, Karyn Grace, of Lockport, could not comment for this story because they signed a confidentiality agreement.

But Kyle’s grandmother, Marge Grace, of Homer Glen, said he is a “very talented young man,” and that he has always had a dream of becoming a rock star.

In an interview posted on Americanidol.com, Driscoll confirmed his grandma’s statement, saying he has always wanted to be on stage.

“I’m the next American Idol because I belong on stage,” he said. “The only thing I know how to do is to sing, and I’m not gonna let anything stop me from succeeding.”

Driscoll has already found success with The Frantic, which was named “Best Band in Chicago” and “Best New Artist” in 2007 by former Chicago music radio station Q101 (WKQX-FM), according to a biography posted on the band website, thefrantic.com.

“He is a great kid, and he loves his music,” Marge Grace said. “His whole life is based on music.”

Driscoll started The Frantic with three friends when they were in eighth grade, she said, playing at their classmates’ birthday and graduation parties, she said.

“He’s very confident, and he’s just a very upbeat person,” Marge Grace said. “The first time I saw him on stage, I could not believe it was my grandson. He was so good on stage and so outgoing.”

Driscoll’s friend, Shea Gerrity of Lockport, said he was surprised to see his friend on the national television show.

“I wouldn’t put anything past him,” said Gerrity, 22. “I know his voice, and there’s nothing he can’t do.

“He’s real outgoing, real friendly. The nicest person you’ll ever meet.”

Mike Ryan, 22, of Tinley Park, said he’s been friends with Driscoll since kindergarten. And he likes his friend’s chances of going all the way on Idol.

“He’s a great singer,” he said. “He’s full of energy, charisma. He’s definitely a people person. As the front man of a band … he takes charge.”

In his Idol interview, Driscoll said he auditioned for the show because it seemed like a “cool outlet to try something different.”

“I’m just excited that it’s a new chapter in my life,” he said. “I’m just going on a journey and will see where it takes me.”

The Hollywood auditions are scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on Fox.