Dubbed the Ukrainian rapper, Marengo man reflects on 'American Idol' experience

He’d like to return to “American Idol” to prove he can sing beyond the catchy “oo-ee-oh/bow bow bow” rap he chanted on Monday’s episode, but, for now, Misha Gontar of Marengo is enjoying the limelight.

The 26-year-old, who first moved from Ukraine to Woodstock about seven years ago and then to Marengo about four years ago, appeared on the second episode of the ABC reality show’s new season. He sang a Ukrainian song containing the rap.

His audition didn't render him a ticket to Hollywood, but he did have the judges singing along with him. And the video of his audition – available both on YouTube and www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol, where it's captioned "PROCEED WITH CAUTION: This song WILL get stuck in your head." – is getting its share of attention.

“That was awesome to sing with those big stars together,” Gontar said. “That’s a little achievement, you know. Now I can tell people, ‘Hey Katy Perry and Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, they all sang with me.’ That’s cool. They usually don’t sing along with people.”

An MRI technologist by day, Gontar said he’s always enjoyed performing at area open mic events and has been part of a band in the past. Although he’s sort of been dubbed the Ukrainian rapper, he said he’s more of a rocker and writes some of his own music.

In the several auditions it took in Chicago for him to advance to the New York audition that appeared on the television show, he sang alternative and rock songs from artists such as Limp Bizkit and Five Finger Death Punch, along with the Ukrainian song. It was suggested he sing the Ukrainian song in New York.

“I really want to come back and maybe prove I actually can sing, not only do some rap music,” Gontar said. “I like rap also, but I like rock more. … Usually, I play rock music, mostly alternative. Sometimes I play reggae.”

The video of his audition had gotten more than 160,000 views on YouTube and more than 500,000 views on Facebook as of Wednesday.

“I know some guys get a lot more views who went on ‘American Idol,’ but, for me, that’s pretty cool,” he said.

The television appearance has even garnered him an invitation to be a featured performer at one of the open mic events he’s attended in the past.

He’ll perform at 8:30 p.m. March 23 as part of an open mic night presented by Off Square Music at Stage Left Café, 125 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. The open mic portion begins at 7 p.m.

“It was just a good opportunity,” he said of his “American Idol” experience. “Who knows, maybe it will help me.”