Lockport grad gets shot at ‘Idol’

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

Updated: March 9, 2012 8:07AM

A Lockport Township High School graduate has taken his singing talents to a national stage, having been chosen to compete on “American Idol,” Fox-TV’s singing competition show.

Kyle Driscoll, who also goes by Kyle Dee, graduated from Lockport in 2008 and is the lead singer for The Frantic, a Chicago-based pop punk band that got its start in the Southland.

Driscoll, 21, got a ticket to the Hollywood portion of the show’s competition after an audition in St. Louis. The show featuring the St. Louis auditions aired Thursday.

In an interview posted on Americanidol.com, Driscoll said he always has 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 and his mother, Karyn Grace, of Lockport, could not comment for this story because they signed a confidentiality agreement.

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

Driscoll already has found success with The Frantic, which was named “Best Band in Chicago” and “Best New Artist” in 2007 by WKQX -FM (101.1), 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.

“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 performances are scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on Fox.