from e! news: They just showed Ryan in his video diary saying this:
" I spoke with Nigel, our executive producer and he said that changes will be made for next season and it will be to focus more on the contestants and less on the mentors and celebrities."
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
Well DUH Nigel...that's the way it should have been all along. *sigh*
Can't wait for January 08! LOL
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
American Idol’ parent company to go private in $1.3 billion deal
…Sillerman said he isn’t worried by a recent ratings dip for “American Idol.” The nation’s most popular TV show accounted for 32 percent of CKX’s revenue last year.
But Tuesday shows this year were down 14 percent for the target 18-to-49 age group, and Wednesday shows were off 7 percent.
Fuller has “some ideas and tricks up his sleeve to make the show better,” Sillerman said, although he declined to say what they are.
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
July 30, San Diego (Qualcomm Stadium) Aug. 6, Dallas (Texas Stadium) Aug. 10, Omaha (Qwest Center) Aug. 14, Atlanta (Georgia Dome) Aug. 18, Charleston, S.C. (North Charleston Coliseum) Aug. 22, Miami (AmericanAirlines Arena) Aug. 27, Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
As with past audition tours, Idol producers will narrow each city’s field to 300 to 400 of the best and worst singers. Lythgoe and co-executive producer Ken Warwick will then cull to about 120 per city to sing to judges Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
Producers want to find a way to make sure more good singers make it through the initial auditions and the Hollywood round and into the final 24.
“Too many slipped through the net,” Lythgoe says, adding that no big changes are planned.
According to USA Today, the auditions are starting one week earlier to accomodate auditions for the new Fox series, The Search for the Next Great American Band, which will be going on at the same time.
Vocal cords are warming up as the nation’s Mariah and Stevie wannabes prepare to swarm seven American Idol audition sites. The first trials take place Monday in San Diego, nearly six months before Season 7 begins. Last year, 103,000 hopefuls tried out, but only a handful heard the golden phrase “You’re going to Hollywood!” USA TODAY asks seven of last season’s top 10 finalists to recall their auditions and offer advice to new entrants….
The preliminary audition rounds wrapped up in San Diego, CA this week. Twelve-thousand people waited in line at Qualcom Stadium for a chance to advance to the producer’s rounds and eventually to sing in front of Paula, Randy and Simon. According to producers, auditioners may be allowed to play instruments when they audition in front of Idol judges, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.
Those rounds have not yet been scheduled. If they make it far enough, they may also be allowed to play instruments when they sing, an “Idol” first, producers announced.
Contestants who have made it through to the second round:
Among those selected Monday were two veterans of the program, Brian Miller, 20, from Anaheim and John Edward Carey Jr., 27, from Van Nuys. Both were among the final 25 men in last season’s competition. Miller, a waiter who sang “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins Monday, said he was nervous hearing other people warm up for the auditions. “Am I as good as that guy? But you have to push all that aside. I’m just ecstatic to be moving on again.” Carey said he thought it helped that he looks different from most of the other contestants: shaved head, black designer glasses, tattoos down both arms. He sang “Guitar Man” by Bread – “a great song,” he said, and fitting for him because he makes guitars for a living. “Last year I was so nervous,” he said. “This year I’m a lot more relaxed and just trying to have fun with it. My strategy is to lay low, get as far as I can and then surprise everyone.”
In other Idol news, 1000 hopefuls turned out for Arizona Idol sponsored by the local Phoenix Fox affiliate, Channel 10. Jordin Sparks won Arizona Idol last year after not making it past the first round in Los Angeles. Channel 10 flew Jordin to Seattle to try out, and well, you know the rest….
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
…Her family’s financial woes are a big motivator for Forrester. They pushed her to enter Omaha’s “Heartland Idol” competition last year. She won the contest and a chance to audition for “American Idol” last year. She sang for executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, but didn’t make it any further…
“American Idol.” For many aspiring singers, those words conjure dreams of record deals, radio hits and rabid fans. But for others, it’s enough to make them shudder. For them, the Fox network’s singing competition brings to mind another two words: sell out. While thousands will wait hours in line when “American Idol” auditions take over Qwest Center Omaha for later this week, several local musicians will stay far, far away from the frenzy. Call them the anti-Idols…
Deanna DeBellis was rejected in her first American Idol audition three years ago in Cleveland. Last year, the same fate occurred at a New York audition. But two rejections and the cost of a plane ticket here from her hometown of Rochester, N.Y., were not enough to stop her from trying one more time. “Third time is a charm, I guess,” said Ms. DeBellis, 19, who traveled with a friend. More than 10,000 aspiring American Idol contestants, some from the North Texas area and others from as far away as Virginia, stood in line Saturday at Texas Stadium to get wristbands for auditions, which begin Monday morning…
Central Texas American Idol wannabes head to Dallas competition Hewitt singer, YouTube fixture Sha’Dana Jones back for 2nd year of ‘American Idol’ auditions
At last year’s “American Idol” auditions, Sha’Dana Jones wore high heels. She made sure her hair and outfit were just right. She belted out her best Whitney Houston. But not this time. No way. Not after what happened last year…
Before you belt it out … TV: With tryouts looming Monday, we offer helpful hints for ‘Idol’ wannabes
Oh, American Idol hopefuls. Now that the show is in its seventh season, you’ll have to do more to impress the judges (and viewers) than ever before. It’s like ice skating: In olden times, a sweet little single axel could take home gold. Now, you’re going to need to quadruple that. For those getting ready to line up at Texas Stadium for the big auditions (which officially begin at 8 a.m. Monday), it’s not just your vocals that need to impress.History teaches us that many other variables go into a successful Idol audition. So if you want to be one of the lucky ones busting out of that room and hollering about going to Hollywood, do your homework first…
Heading to tryouts in Philly? Here’s how you can make yourself
Must have talent. If one does not have the talent, the rest is pointless. Don’t forget the lyrics. Understand what the lyric is about. If the song is sad, do not sing with a smile on your face. You have to act the part and sing with sad emotions. Unless you have a really good voice, I would not sing songs from the top diva singers. The first reason is [the] songs are usually more challenging to sing, causing a higher chance of failure. The second reason is the judges are harder on people who attempt those songs. They immediately play the compare game. It’s not enough to just be in tune and in time. You have to be better than Christina and Celine, or the judges will deem you as a bad singer. Do not sing last year’s winner’s audition song or their winning song. For example, Taylor Hicks auditioned by singing the Sam Cooke song “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The following year, everyone who sang the song basically got sent home. You may sound great singing it, however, if you are not better than Taylor Hicks, the judges will deem you as a bad singer.
BEST OF THE BLOG Outtakes from the ‘American Idol’ auditions
In the beginning 5:22 a.m.: Apparently the secret to making it on American Idol is to show up four hours before the sun comes up. (Shauntoris Jones of Oklahoma City was the first contestant in line.) I’m coming to Texas Stadium from the north (via I-35). Traffic started to back up long before I could see the stadium. But I think I just found a shortcut: cutting through the University of Dallas…
Idol’ stories Everyone who attended Dallas’ ‘American Idol’ audition had a tale to tell, and we were there to listen
Family Ties One of the most buzzed-about people to walk up the winner’s ramp was Ricco Barrino, otherwise known as Fantasia’s brother. Ricco, 24, was in town for a show and decided to audition at the last minute. It wasn’t the first time he’d shown up for the Idol cattle call; he’d planned to audition with Fantasia in Atlanta. Just one problem: He forgot his ID. “So he and Fantasia left; she was the last one to perform,” says his publicist, Linda Luna. “The security guard was nice enough to let her back in.” This time, luck (and a recognizable last name) were on his side. After singing “A Change Is Gonna Come,” he was told he was moving on up….
12,000 bring dreams to ‘Idol’ tryouts at Texas Stadium
…By the time the TV show’s seventh season gets under way early next year, almost half a million fame-seekers will have auditioned. This season alone is expected to draw more than 100,000 nationwide. Patrick Lynn, the show’s senior producer, says American Idol wanted to return to Dallas not only because this is where the show found 2002 winner – and a show favorite – Kelly Clarkson of Burleson, but also because the show revels in the enthusiasm of North Texas wannabes. “We’ve come to Texas this year because it’s the biggest state in the union!” he announced proudly, apparently forgetting Alaska. American Idol auditions draw contestants from all over the country, and Monday’s event was no exception….
Jessie Nunn, a rising senior at Salem High School in Virginia Beach, is heading for “American Idol” auditions Aug. 14 in Atlanta. He prepped last week by performing at a stage at the Oceanfront and singing the national anthem at Norfolk’s Harbor Park. Jessie performs as “j.none” because “I’m like none other,” he claims on his MySpace Web page. Jessie, 17, will sing “As” by Stevie Wonder for the “Idol” judges…
Thousands line up in Texas for ‘American Idol’ auditions
Standing outside Texas Stadium with thousands of other “American Idol” hopefuls this week, LaCondra Davies knew she was bound for Hollywood. Again. “I know the game now,” said Davies, 29, who was booted from the show last season after making the first cut. “You can’t give them everything at once.” …. …Patrick Stephens, 23, said he auditioned in Birmingham, Ala., last year only to file out “like a loser.” His approach Monday was more laid back as he fiddled with an iPod — not rehearsing songs but instead watching videos of standup comedy. “I don’t have an interesting back story if I get picked,” said Stephens, a technical recruiter from Plano. Those who advanced Monday must still pass another audition in front of show executives before getting the chance to sing in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson for the taped portions of the show…
Stan Benis has lined up security for an Elvis Presley concert, helped organize the annual Berkshire Hathaway stockholders meeting and dealt with the mob around motivational speaker Zig Ziglar. But the director of event operations at the Qwest Center Omaha has never tackled anything as unusual as this week’s “American Idol” auditions. They’re essentially two events, he says — an outside gathering of as many as 15,000 people beginning today and a concertlike audition inside on Friday. Starting around 6 this morning, aspiring singing stars will line up outside the arena to register for auditions. “Idol” producers are especially jumpy, Benis said, because they were disappointed with the lack of security workers and ushers at this season’s first two audition spots — San Diego on July 30 and Dallas earlier this week….
Idol’ winner, other finalists offer their audition tips
Jordin Sparks has a message for the thousands preparing to audition for “American Idol” in Omaha this week. Jordin Sparks sings in the May 23 “American Idol” finale at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.Don’t take rejection personally. The judges can be wrong. A year ago, Sparks and her family drove 400 miles from Glendale, Ariz., to Los Angeles so she could try out for the singing competition……..
Waco woman made the cut in American Idol auditions, at least nine other Central Texans didn’t
Her name is Brittney Davis. She graduated from Waco High School in 1999. She sings in church. But the 26-year-old signed contracts Monday banning her from saying much else about herself publicly. After all, she could be the next American Idol…. …But Davis made it past two rounds of auditions in front of the Fox talent search’s producers and will sing Sept. 19 in Dallas in front of Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell — 18 days after the Waco native gets married. Bridgette Boggess, a family friend, said Davis made it through because of her singing — not a crazy costume or attention-getting gimmick. “When she opens her mouth and sings, it does something to people,” Boggess said. “She has a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful voice. You can’t say, ‘She sounds like so and so.’ She has her own style of singing.” Boggess said Davis signed a contract banning her from singing publicly. The producers don’t even want media reports to publicize where she works or goes to church. At least until the show’s seventh season starts in January, Davis is the property of “American Idol.” And that’s fine with her, Boggess said. “This is her dream,” Boggess said. “And she’s just a real nice, laid-back girl. She’s one of the ones whose voice you will just fall in love with.”….
Aspiring Idols Kerri Forrester, Carly Baldwin and Charly Pedersen are providing updates on how the “Idol” auditioning process is going. Read a profile of the three singers here….
The crowds converging on the Qwest Center Omaha on Wednesday mimicked the weather. A deluge in the morning and a sprinkle in the afternoon. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people lined up, some as early as 1:30 a.m., to be among the first to register for Friday’s “American Idol” auditions. By 8:45 a.m., the line was gone, leaving other aspiring Idols easy access throughout the afternoon……
A pregnant Idol contestant battled scorching heat, hotter competition and even labor pains to complete her “American Idol” audition at Texas Stadium on Monday. Antoria Gillon, 20, went into labor right as she was getting ready to sing for the producers…..
…As an ambulance pulled up midfield and panicky onlookers urged her to head for the hospital, “I said, ‘Well, I haven’t gotten my golden ticket yet,’ ” which would signal she made it to the next round. Enduring intense contractions, she finished singing, got the familiar sheet of paper and only then climbed in. Were producers swayed by her perseverance? Gillon believes she made it to the second round with her vocal skills but admits, “They go by character and motivation, and I think I showed more than enough motivation.” The baby’s name: Jamil Labarron Idol McCowan. “I just felt like it was more than appropriate,” she says.
KC hopefuls head to Omaha to audition for ‘American Idol’
Kelly Clarkson wasn’t from Kansas City. Nor was Carrie Underwood. Ruben Studdard? Fantasia Barrino? Taylor Hicks? Jordin Sparks? Nope, nope, nope and nope. But we have a very good feeling about the “American Idol” auditions Friday in Omaha. Young people from all over the Midwest will be there, including more than a few from KC……
Thousands Line Up For ‘American Idol’ Auditions Omaha One Of 7 Cities On Tryout Tour
Wednesday is the first of two registration days for “American Idol” auditions. Those hoping to try out started showing up just after midnight at the Qwest Center. The plan was to start the line at about 6 a.m. So many people showed up that organizers decided to allow people to get settled in line. As many as 15,000 are expected to register for auditions before all is said and done……..
Thousands, Including Metro Singers, Arrive At American Idol Auditions
Rainy conditions and sticky temps didn’t keep thousands of aspiring singers from the American Idol auditions Wednesday in Omaha. The Midwest auditions are the closest they’ve ever been to the Metro and by Wednesday evening 3,000 people had registered for the chance to sing before Idol producers. Several Kansas City-area locals made the trip to see if they have Idol potential…
50 things to do in line for the ‘American Idol’ auditions
Before you become an Idol, you’ll have a lot of idle time. You could stand in line for hours to sing for 30 seconds. How long will it be? It’s hard to say, but indications are it will be longer than Justin Guarini’s career and smaller than Simon Cowell’s ego. To help you survive, try our 50 ways to pass the time…..
Clammy hands, shaking legs: Area singers try out for ‘American Idol’
When Crystal Petersen finished singing “Georgia on My Mind,” she nervously told the five judges and onlookers it was her first time in front of an audience — except when she gave birth. “I literally felt like I was in labor,” she said afterwards. The 26-year-old Winona woman was one of a few dozen people who came to Saint Mary’s University on Thursday for a 30-second chance to make their way onto Fox’s TV singing reality show, “American Idol.” Five finalists will move on to the regional competition next week in Rochester. If they win there, they get a paid trip to the national auditions in Philadelphia…
MyFox National Auditions for the seventh season of “American Idol” began last week in San Diego, and the tour hit Dallas on Monday before rolling onto Omaha, Neb., Thursday. That’s where MyFoxKC.com staffer Meagan Kelleher is Thursday, compiling all kinds of good content for you…
…The auditions don’t start until Friday but some people are doing whatever they can to be there, including driving straight from a funeral. That woman lining up to audition said, “So the funeral was yesterday and we got home last night from the funeral at like 11:30 and we got up this morning at six and left by seven and we’re here now so, a gamut of emotions.”…
Hundreds of Iowans are among the 15,000 wanna-be stars lined up outside the Qwest Center in Omaha, hoping for a shot at being on Fox T-V’s “American Idol.” Registration wraps up this afternoon while the auditions start Friday. Last season’s top ten performers were in Omaha for a concert last week. Among them, Sanjaya says American Idol was an experience he wouldn’t trade for anything. Sanjaya says: “You have a lot of doubt. There are so many people, ‘Why I am even here?’ But at the same time it is really fun because you are waiting and waiting and waiting and then you finally get there it is, wow, finally my chance.”
It wasn’t Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul or Randy Jackson, but it could be someday. Jessica Erwin wasn’t singing for the three infamous judges of the national television program American Idol, but she did take a step closer to making that dream become a reality. The local performer was named the winner of the KYOU Fox 15 Heartland Idol contest held August 4th at the Bridgeview Center in Ottumwa, IA. Irwin won a trip to the American Idol auditions at the Quest Center in Omaha on August 10th where she will be one of the performers vying for a spot on the TV program…
Simon Cowell mocked an American Idol hopeful as she went into labour during the show’s Texas auditions. Antoria Gillon was waiting to perform in front of the TV talent show’s judges; Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, when her contractions began on Monday. Gillon decided to continue with her audition and was mocked by Cowell, who joked her labour pains were “a little too Broadway”, before sending her into the next round of the series. The singer was rushed to hospital where she gave birth to son Jamil Labarron Idol McCowan on Tuesday.
I’m hearing stories about heat related problems during the Dallas auditions–that they were even worse than the media let on. Apparently, auditioners were dropping left and right from heat exposure and dehydration…
...and i wanted to point out...the girl who was in labor while auditioning...the kids middle name....LABARRON IDOL.... Labar-on-idol...haha
John Mayer // Elton John // Idols 08 // Daughtry // Jonas Brothers // Rascal Flatts
Idol’ hopefuls find Omaha offers more than shot at fame
…Recent auditions in San Diego and Dallas each brought crowds of 12,000 to 14,000, but a show producer said he was not disappointed with the lower turnout in Omaha _ the smallest city and the only Midwestern city to host an “Idol” audition so far. “We didn’t know what we were going to get,” said senior producer Patrick Lynn. “We’ve never really been to the center of the country before.” Omaha popped up on the radar as an audition site in part because of Dan Mirvish, director of the 1995 film “Omaha the Movie.” Lynn said he knows Mirvish and had heard good things about the city from him. “I think we’re going to find good talent in Omaha,” Lynn said. “We have a really good feeling.”…
Two York teens tryout for American Idol Idol hopefuls in good voice
They’ve returned. York’s American Idol hopefuls have returned. They are registered, and have the bracelets to prove it. Wearing paper bracelets that are the “in.” Bracelets that allowed Jason Dunn and Kathey Stewart to return for auditions for one of the most popular television shows in history, Fox’s American Idol…
Two Siouxlanders get call-back for ‘American Idol’
Yessss!! At least two Siouxlanders were handed a ticket to stardom — or at least a step closer to it — at Friday’s auditions for the hit FOX show “American Idol.” Siouxland Idol winner Katie Admire, 17, and 23-year-old operating room technician Drew Emanuel were seen being handed a coveted “golden ticket” after their auditions — a yellow sheet of paper that producers said signifies each earned a call-back audition for the show…
Mayor Mike Fahey was a stubborn interview for the TV Guide Channel early Friday. Brandon Rogers, last season’s 12th place “American Idol” finisher, was conducting the interview for the channel’s “Close-Up” program. He asked Fahey to either sing a song for the camera or do his best impersonation of “Idol” judge Simon Cowell. Fahey wouldn’t do either, especially mimic Cowell’s British accent. “I’m Irish,” Fahey said. Omaha native Scott R. Tomasso serves as producer of the “Close-Up” segment. Tomasso, who changed his last name from Thomas after moving from Omaha, now lives and works in Los Angeles. The auditions were a good excuse to visit home. Patrick Lynn is the “Idol” producer who cues the crowd on when to wave and cheer. But he got loudly booed Friday morning. “Does every joke here start with, ‘So a guy walks into a cornfield . . .’?” he said over a megaphone. Jeers ensued…
Friday’s few hundred survivors include some Omaha singers
Since she was a toddler, Omaha teen Brittany McCreary has loved to sing. Brittany, now 18, will keep singing in the nation’s most famous talent competition. She was among the few hundred aspiring singers who emerged from the exit for winners at “American Idol” auditions Friday at the Qwest Center Omaha…
Karen Hoover is a teacher in Goshen and just recently won the Karaoke Idol contest at the St. Joseph County Fair. She is a self-described free spirit who loves to explore the world. Not only can she sing but she has a pretty good sense of humor as well. “I like to be funny, I like to make people laugh. I love to hug people, I always tell people if I wasn’t able to perform my favorite job would probably be just like giving out free hugs,” Hoover said. “I think god put it in me for a reason and a purpose. It not only makes me totally happy, where I almost feel like I’m in a whole other world when I’m performing or singing,” Hoover added. Karen has been a fan of “American Idol” and actually knows someone who made it to the finals. “I knew Melinda Doolittle from last season, we went to college together and were just acquaintances. I was so excited to see that she was there and pursuing a dream that she had in her heart.” …
16-year-old wins title Horseheads junior will get national tryout for TV show this month.
…”I still can’t believe it’s over and I won. You always have that hope, but everyone here is so good.” Now that Yaeger has been crowned, she will go on to audition for Fox’s hit series “American Idol.” She will travel to Philadelphia for an Aug. 27 tryout…
AMERICAN IDOL’ IN NORTH CHARLESTON 4,000 line up for shot at audition Starry-eyed hopefuls see Saturday’s trials at coliseum as launch pad
Thousands of people came from across the country, and one college student came from halfway around the world, for a chance at “American Idol” stardom Thursday. The lines were estimated at 4,000 people outside the North Charleston Coliseum — just to register for auditions, which will be held Saturday for the seventh season of the wildly popular show. One woman from Tennessee cut short a vacation in Spain to fly to South Carolina. An unemployed recent graduate of Arizona State University flew in from Phoenix. And 21-year-old Bart Lattimore drove three hours from Charlotte for a chance to sing. “I’ve been in a couple of bands but I’m more of the singer-songwriter type,” said Lattimore, who drives a delivery truck for an auto parts store. His strategy to make it past the first round is to offer up an original song. “I don’t want to be compared to other artists because I have a different sound,” he said………
*sigh*
