2 local men team up, win "Idol" songwriting contest

Even if Blake Lewis isn't crowned "American Idol" tonight, the Puget Sound area will already have staked a claim to fame on the show, thanks to a Federal Way pastor and a singer-songwriter from Tacoma.

Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne teamed up to write "This Is My Now," the inspirational ballad selected from 25,000 entries in the show's first open songwriting competition.

"It's all been a blur of great stuff going on down here," said Peabody, 40, the advertising director-turned-minister who penned the lyrics Krippayne set to music. The two were flown to Los Angeles to see both "Idol" finalists perform their song Tuesday night.

The song can be downloaded Thursday morning — as performed by tonight's winner, Lewis or Jordin Sparks — on iTunes. It will later be released as a single.

The song was selected by an online vote from among 20 finalists chosen by "American Idol" producers.

Krippayne, 36, a Christian music artist, has performed for about a decade and has seven albums. His performance of "This Is My Now" is posted on the show's Web site.

The winning song was an afterthought, said Peabody, pastor of New Day Church. "We had already written one for the competition and sent it in. Then three or four days before the deadline I called Scott and asked, 'Do you think we should try another one?'."

For inspiration, Peabody said, "We were trying to really put ourselves in the place of somebody winning the competition." The chorus includes the lines: "This is my now / And I'm breathing in the moment. / As I look around I can't believe the love I see."

Krippayne will perform Aug. 1 at Canyon Hills Community Church, 22027 17th Ave. S.E., Bothell, 425-488-4121.

Tuesday, he and Peabody were careful not to reveal any favoritism. "Blake's from Seattle and I love that aspect," Krippayne said, "but I'm a huge Jordin fan as well."

Jack Broom: 206-464-2222 or jbroom@seattletimes.com