SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Seth Witcher, the Allentown singer whose short appearance Monday on ABC-TV's "American Idol" ended with a "no" from judge Luke Bryan, took to social media hinting that was the end of his "Idol" journey.
But in his first public performance since the show aired, Witcher on Thursday was far more cagey about his status on the show.
"I can neither confirm nor deny anything about 'American Idol,'" Witcher told about 45 people at a gathering held by Parkland Education Association at Retriever Brewing Co. in Orefield.
"I just felt really sad and disappointed. I can't say anything, but I thought my audition was really good."Seth Witcher on Facebook
The organization held the public event to honor Witcher, a 2017 Parkland High School graduate.
It drew about 45 people who heard Association President Tori Morgan interview Witcher, then watched him perform a 30-minute show of seven songs.
The "American Idol" episode that aired Monday showed a 20-second segment of him. After the show aired, Witcher posted a video saying he had been "kicked off" the show.
"And no one saw it coming," Witcher said in a Facebook video posted late Tuesday.
"This is what 'American Idol' showed before the episode dropped," he said, showing a blink-fast clip of him smiling, holding a Golden Ticket given to contestants put through to the Hollywood Round of competition.
It then shows Bryan giving him a 'no' vote.
"I just felt really sad and disappointed," he says. "I can't say anything, but I thought my audition was really good.
"I wanted to make this video because I owe it to my fans to be honest about my feelings. I just want to give the world a hug with my music."
Then Thursday night, he posted another video of his career journey, labeled "This is what they said 'no' to."
'I'm holding something shiny'
But the whole truth is that the episode never showed Witcher being "kicked off."
It showed singer/judge Carrie Underwood giving him a "yes" vote, but never showed third judge Lionel Ritchie's deciding vote, leaving his future on the show unclear.
But at Thursday's event, Witcher didn't correct Morgan when she introduced him as a "recent Golden Ticket recipient on 'American Idol.'"
And he noted at one point that, in a televised ad for "Idol," "I'm holding something shiny." Witcher has posted photos on social media showing him holding a Golden Ticket.
It wasn't just the answer of whether he got a Golden Ticket that Witcher avoided Thursday. He said he couldn't even reveal what song he performed for the judges.
"American Idol" is scheduled to have another round of auditions when it airs Monday, Feb. 16, then will switch to the Hollywood round in subsequent weeks.
His time at Parkland, and starting a music career
In a question-and-answer session with Morgan, Witcher said his favorite time at Parkland was when he "would go and eat breakfast with my friends."
He said he tried out for sports, but was "the bottom of the bottom."
He said his favorite subject was engineering — he studied engineering at Kutztown University but said he "decided to go into music after I actually worked as an engineer."
"My dream when I first started was to play Musikfest. Now, I'm hoping to sell out Madison Square Garden."Seth Witcher
He told of how he auditioned for the Mr. Parkland student talent show and performed a song he wrote, and when he later heard people humming the song, it was the confirmation he needed to take music more seriously.
He said he started performing at open mics, and made his way to playing gigs throughout the Lehigh Valley.
"Parkland High School has given me a lot of opportunity," he said.
But he said discipline is the key to success.
"If you don't have discipline, you're not on the path to success," he said.
And dreams.
"My dream when I first started was to play Musikfest," Witcher said — and he has performed at the huge Bethlehem music festival for the past three years and will perform there again this year.
"Now, I'm hoping to sell out Madison Square Garden."
Parkland Education Association gave Witcher its own version of a Golden Ticket, with Morgan telling him, "You, Seth Witcher, will forever hold Parkland's Golden Ticket."
It also happened to be Witcher's 27th birthday, and they gave him a cake, as well.
Revealing his talent, but not his 'Idol' result
In his performance, accompanying himself only on acoustic guitar, Witcher started with his own song, "Nothing Matters," displaying his emo-rock style, not too different from Dashboard Confessional.
Another original song, "Ferris Wheel," continued that style. But "Nightmares" was far more a traditional folk song.
His final original song, "Entertain Yourself," was the most emo of all, with every note strong, intentional and emotion-filled — especially his guitar playing. He even broke a string from his powerful strumming.''
As is often the case with young artists, some of the best songs were covers.
His story moved much close to Ed Sheeran for that artist's "Perfect," and Witcher's performance was among his best.
He closed with what he said was a request — a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."
It was the best of his set: While retaining his emo style, Witcher showed off his voice, intensity and best talents.
"Thanks for being cool people," he told the audience. "Love you, Seth."
But he left them wondering whether they'd see him on "American Idol" again.
