SUWANEE – Three years ago, Sean McNeill stood before Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and millions of TV viewers with the confidence of becoming the next American Idol. He brought the studio audience to their feet with his version of “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder. Although Simon criticized Sean for smiling too much, he stated Sean’s smooth voice and personality were his ticket to Hollywood as one of the top 50 contestants.
“It has always been a lifetime dream for me to make it big in the music industry,” Sean explains. “I crave the spotlight, applause and yes — the fortune that comes with the fame. I had watched American Idol over the first three seasons and I believed if they could do it, so could I.”
Sean was only one step away from the final round; however, Carrie Underwood was also a few steps away, and she would eventually win the hearts of the viewers and ultimately the American Idol crown. Sean says, “Carrie is a genuine small town country girl with an amazing voice and graceful personality. She was the clear choice to be the next American Idol.”
Although Sean will always treasure his time on American Idol, he warns future contestants of the relentless bombardment of stress and pressure that comes with the opportunity. “Every contestant’s experience will be different,” says Sean. “For some, the opportunity will be rewarding; for others it will be disappointing – even demoralizing. Contestants were up 20 hours each day for 7 days. We were quitting, crying and being cut. One thing is for sure: Lives are never the same after stepping off the American Idol stage.”
After being voted off the show, Sean shrugged off the disappointment and began searching for a new direction in life. Sean looked to God for strength and guidance – just as he had during his American Idol days and throughout his entire life. According to Sean, church has always been a major influence. “I honed my vocal skills at the New Testament Church in Cedarville, Massachusetts, and attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, when Jerry Fallwell was president. There I received a degree in Religion and Cross-Cultural Ministry and fell in love with my wife, Mindy. My loving family had taught me at an early age the meaning of prayer and the joy and satisfaction of serving God.”
Sean put his degree and skills to work by serving as youth pastor at the Southpoint Church in Abilene, Texas. Sean, Mindy and their newborn baby McKenzie (who was born while Sean was competing on American Idol) would then relocate to Suwanee, Georgia, where he currently serves as a marketing developer inside John Maxwell’s Injoy Stewardship Services. While working in the corporate world, Sean received a calling from God to return to church and share his musical abilities. Sean’s window of opportunity opened when he was providing consulting services to a pastor who held a vision of building a new church and was in search of a talented and energetic music worship leader.
Sean and Mindy McNeill perform at The Ridge Church in Buford every Sunday at 11 a.m. For information or directions to the church, go to www.myridgechurch.com or call 770.904.7105.
