Hanover Park 'Idol' won't be going to Hollywood

Keith Semple has done the fame thing, and he's not too fond of it.

So when the 28-year-old Hanover Park man heard "American Idol" producers decided to renege his "golden ticket" to Hollywood due to an immigration issue, he was disappointed but more committed than ever to his music and his band, 7th Heaven.

"There was just no way around it legally, so I don't fault anyone," Semple said. "It's fine, though, because I've got my busiest year ever coming up and we're having a lot of fun."

"Idol" fans who tuned into Tuesday's show saw judges select just 13 contestants including Semple from the disappointing Chicago auditions (Boston produced 31 contestants).

But Semple, a Northern Ireland native in the U.S. on a work visa, recently learned he won't make the trip because he lacks permanent resident status Fox requires and can't get the paperwork in time.

Fox officials confirmed visa issues prevented Semple from participating in the upcoming Hollywood Week.

Had Semple gone, the show would have proven eerily familiar.

In 2002, Semple was a winner on Britain's "Pop Stars: The Idol," which drew more than 7 million viewers each week. His former band, One True Voice, had two top-10 hits on the British charts and he went on to tour major arenas.

A few years ago, 7th Heaven, formed in 1985, came calling. Semple moved to the Northwest suburbs and now plays up to 250 shows each year in front of 1 million people as lead vocalist and guitarist.

He describes his voice as a cross between Bryan Adams - he sang "Heaven" at the auditions - and Keith Urban. He also plays five instruments and writes many of the songs he sings.

Just one sore spot sticks out to Semple when he looks back at his brief "Idol" experience: Simon Cowell. The notoriously tough critic was the only judge to vote "no" on his bid for Hollywood. But, Semple said, it wasn't due to his talent.

"He didn't like that I hadn't told my band about (the show)," Semple said.

Meanwhile, Semple continues to book shows and enjoy his new life in Chicago, which he said he loves for its beauty and tidiness. And he's unsure whether another "Idol" audition is in his future.

"I've experienced a bit of fame and I don't particularly care for it," Semple said. "I just want people to like my music, maybe want to dance to it at their wedding."

Semple and 7th Heaven appear Friday at Alumni Club in Schaumburg. To learn more, go to keithsemple.com and 7thheavenband.com.

Other suburban residents who made it to Hollywood include Lee DeWyze, of Mount Prospect, and John Park, of Northbrook. They can't comment unless they are eliminated.