All performers know auditions are nerve-wracking and highly competitive, yet every day, singers, dancers, and actors put themselves out there. Why? Because it’s their passion. Now there are auditions; and then there are auditions.

Boothbay Harbor’s Corey “Bo Bo” Tibbetts will be experiencing the latter on Jan. 18 when he auditions during the open call for “The Voice” in Nashville. Around Boothbay Harbor, he is known for more than his businesses Hometown Convenience and the Coastal Cab Co. … and that’s his killer singing voice.

He sang a lot as a kid, but “clammed up” for a while. Then in seventh or eighth grade, his music teacher Genie O’Connell told him she was going to have to give him detention if he didn’t start participating in class. So, he started singing again. O’Connell decided to send him to the All State Choir. “I scored 99% – on everything,” Tibbetts said. “I was asked to do a solo at All State, but … I said I had a wrestling match to go to instead!”

Tibbetts has always been a performer: Throughout high school in the 1990s, he sang in a couple bands, including Loosely Woven and Conundrum; with local community theater companies at the Lincoln and Waldo theaters; with the St. Cecilia Chamber Choir for six to seven years and doing the theater for about seven years. (Tibbetts performed with the Choir for the first time in six years Dec. 14); Boothbay Playhouse, and one summer at Carousel Music Theater, owned by Teresa and Mike Lewis, during the Dominic Garvey years as “the singing chef.”

Tibbetts spent that summer cooking, performing and saving. He was getting paid to do what he loved, and saving every cent he could from his pay, to follow his dream of singing and performing in New York City. That was about 14 years ago. He auditioned 28 times there, had a few nibbles, and then the money ran out. After he came back, he realized those auditions were cattle calls – all about the “it” factor.

Back in Boothbay Harbor, he wanted to keep performing, but he kept losing jobs.

“I was a professional chef, but it’s hard when you have to say, ‘I need next week off and then the next three weekends off for shows.’ I lost some good jobs.”

Believing being his own boss was the way to go, he started his cab company 12 years ago and then the convenience store. The plan was to take winters off to do the music and theater. Unfortunately, the businesses ended up taking up too much of his time.

“That’s been a real struggle for me ever since. The businesses take away the time I need to devote to what I do. It’s a tough one. But my perspective has changed now. I need to feed my soul or I won’t be good for anybody. And whatever happens, happens.

“I’ve had some amazing situations and worked with some amazing people. The people I did theater with were pros – and even then they were trying to help and model me then for this: Dominic Garvey, Kevin Kiley – I’d like to work more with him – Beth Preston, Linda Blanchard and Dave Gagne. At one time or another they have all tried to get me to do this. Dom was huge – a big influence in my life; and Dave has always been a huge supporter. If I don’t take this shot, why was I put in those situations performing and learning from those people who also supported and helped me?”

The turning point came this fall. He went to Florida to Universal Studios to sing karaoke, but with a live band. “I did ‘Walking in Memphis.’ As I was walking up to the stage I heard the same snickering and whispering I’m used to – I’m a big guy – but I feed on it. Acted like I hadn’t been on the stage before in my life, even asked how to adjust the mic … And then I started singing and the energy in the room completely changed; the whole place was charged up; the people were singing along and when I got done the whole place erupted. That’s what drives me to do it.”

Audiences tell him he should be singing professionally and going on shows like “The Voice.” Over the last two years, he’s been told by many to do this, to go for it. And he has finally decided it’s time.

“I don’t want to wake up 20 years from now wondering what would have happened if I had taken a shot.”

Nashville is one of three locations for the January open call. And Nashville called out to him. This month, he finalized his travel plans for his week’s stay, arriving on Jan. 16, two days before the mother of all auditions comes to pass. He has to have two A capella songs ready. He said “Walkin in Memphis” is “in his back pocket.” If he gets a call back, he’ll need three songs with accompaniment prepared. Right now, he’s working with Dave Gagne on making the important song selections.

His crew at Hometown Convenience is really psyched about this opportunity for their boss. “It’s awesome,” said Sarah Rogers. “He’s been talking about it for a couple years now. It’s so cool he’s actually going through with it!”

He said he’s not nervous – yet. This isn’t his first audition, but it is one that could change his life, and he intends to make an impression. He just won’t be changing who he really is. Recently, someone suggested he get a haircut and some new clothes for the audition. But he already went that route in New York City and believes that, because he wasn’t projecting who he really was, it cost him some call backs, maybe even some gigs. So, he will probably buy some new sweatpants and a shirt without a pocket, but other than that, the judges at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium will get him as is.

“I have every intention of blowing the judges’ doors off and laying my heart and soul on the line. Then, however this works out I won’t have any regrets. I’m running on faith … and fate.”