Robbie Rosen: Left 'Idol' on a 'high note'

Fresh from his appearances on the "American Idol" stage, Merrick's Robbie Rosen is optimistic about his future in the music industry.

"I think I left on a high note," said a smiling Rosen as he petted his black and white cat, Eddie, during an interview at his home Saturday.

The mop-haired junior from Sanford H. Calhoun High School ended his remarkable "American Idol" run after he didn't get enough votes to go forward to the finals Thursday night.

"It was a bittersweet moment," Rosen said.

Rosen, who made it to the top 24, had performed Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" on Tuesday night, but received mixed reviews from the judges.

After he didn't make the top 10, he was one of six asked to perform again in the wild-card round for a chance to stay in the competition. Even though the judges enjoyed his rendition of Elton John's "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word," they selected three other contestants to continue instead.

"I thought it was one of my best performances on the show," said Rosen, 17, who won Nassau County's 2009 Reach for the Stars talent competition. "But just the exposure is phenomenal." He returned home Friday night.

The All-State jazz singer and tenor on the Calhoun Concert Choir was considered one of the strongest contenders in the competition, with a chance to become the first Jewish "Idol." He had been a judges' favorite since he sang the Beatles' "Yesterday" at the Jersey City audition in memory of his grandfather, Carl Yuni, who died in February 2010 at age 76.

"I really missed him at that point and I miss him now," said Rosen, who considered his grandfather his best friend. "He had the biggest heart."

On his deathbed, Yuni predicted Rosen would be a famous singer, Rosen said.

Even though the straight-A student, who plays second and third base on Calhoun's baseball team, did not make the cut for "Idol," his parents said they are still proud of him.

"He's a good kid, a good-hearted kid," said his father, Matthew Rosen. "That, to me, is more important than a golden ticket."

For now, Rosen plans to keep writing, recording and singing songs that tell a story, like "Make It Through," inspired by the child of a family friend who has spinal muscular atrophy, which causes muscle weakness.

He said the whole "Idol" experience has given him more confidence and made him grow as an artist.

Rosen would not disclose whether he's been signed to a label, but said he hopes that when he puts out an album, he'll get the same support from Long Islanders as he did when he was on the show.

"It's not over for me," Rosen said. "It's just the beginning."