Auditioners in Kansas City. Thanks to B-98's Kathy Deane for the screen grab.
In a single city, I personally had four different auditions. First the cattle call, where everyone in the coliseum gets to sing for one of the 15 (give or take) tables on the floor. Next I sang for Ken Warwick the first (and now only) executive producer. Then I made it through Nigel Lythgoe, the other (and now ex) executive producer. Finally, about a month after I first lined up at the FedEx Forum, I got to travel back to Memphis and sing for Randy, Paula, and Simon. This is when my wife decided to have our baby.
By the time I saw the judges, producers had narrowed the field down from 16,000 to around 350. It was quiet in the waiting room because people were filming their “stories” in the front of the room. Each of us was just waiting our turn. I had already become friends with Chris Sligh (we made it through the first round at exactly the same time, but he went to Birmingham for the subsequent rounds of auditions). I met Gina Glocksen and Melinda Doolittle on this final city audition day – along with several other people who are still friends. Chris, Gina and I became MySpace friends and stayed closely connected until the day all three of us moved to Los Angeles as semi-finalists for the show.
The day of the final audition, you are moved closer to the hall where the judges are as the wait becomes shorter. Once in the holding room, you watch as one by one, people leave the room disappointed, sometimes crushed. And besides a few people who were dressed ridiculously, none of us knew who the “joke” auditions were until we saw the episode air the following January. This includes the people who gave the “joke” auditions. With that in mind, there were many funny auditions tonight, but they are less humorous when you realize that they really don’t know that they are bad. Hey, I confess, I thought I was better than I was!
A lot of great people auditioned tonight. There must be a great deal of talent in Kansas! Of course, we knew this already. The people I am looking to go far are …
Von Smith – Sang “Over the Rainbow” with his big high voice! He will come in handy for all those cheesy group numbers during semi-finals.
India Morrison – A girl rapper. Blake Lewis taught us America likes to vote for originality.
Danny Gokey – He was great. And his heartbreaking back-story will not only endear him to the audience, but also give him a drive and purpose that will set him apart from other contestants.
Lil Rounds – Fantasia 2.0 sounded fantastic. I just want her to know how extremely hard being away from her three children for almost an entire year is if she becomes a finalist.
Now for question and answer …
James from Wichita writes: “My question has to do with the song that all the contesents sing in each of the preliminary episodes. Do the producers of the show make all of the contestents sing that song in their individual audition?”
The answer is yes. However, I was asked to sing this song during one of my producer audition… So I didn’t sing it for the three judges. I know the way they edit it makes it look like they sing it for Randy, Paula and Simon, but they don’t. Each audition with the judges only lasts a few moments, and then it’s done.
I just want to point out that Simon openly said he loves Kansas …
8 Comments
I kinda liked Jason Castro’s little bro. He’s interesting. Those Castro’s must have some kind of skill since I believe that Jason had a similar experience before he tried out. I also liked Danny Gokey, the music teacher. He surprised me. And the fact that Simon says he loves Kansas kind of scares me….did he ever realize that he was on the Missouri side of the river?
I always wondered how those auditions really worked. Thanks for the inside dope, Phil. I loved Jason Castro but I don’t think the little brother has his charm. Still, he wasn’t terrible. I have to see more of Danny Gokey…I wasn’t that excited by him although his personal story is compelling. I’m still in shock over bikini girl. And I do feel bad for those who do not realize they are the joke auditions. Having made it through 3 screenings, I’m sure they think they are going through. Really, I think the *fun* factor has gone out of those joke auditions. Now its just painful to watch people’s dreams crushed.
I agree the younger Castro doesn’t quite have Jason’s charm, but he was the first thing about this season so far that was at least exciting for me. (Or maybe it was just Jason being there. LOL) There are a few good ones, but nobody yet that has just blown me away and made me say “can’t wait to see more of them.” Thanks Phil, the insider info is interesting. Keep up the good work.
I’m a Kansas native now living in Ohio. When I walked into the office today one of my friends said…”Man, you people in Kansas dress wierd”. I cracked up because while I was watching the show I kept thinking “Man, is this the best talent they could find in Kansas?” I was thinking I’d probably get ribbed a bit and I did. Oh well…we’ll see what the other auditions bring to the table. I too had a few faves…I like Danny Gokey and also was a little impressed with Jason Castros little bro. I thought he did pretty good for not even being an aspiring singer until about 20 days before the audition.
The big appeal to me last night was the Kansas factor. And Simon loving Kansas while in Missouri was a hoot, given the bad blood between Kansas and Mizzou folk. I liked Danny Gokey for sure and a few others seemed pretty good. The girl from Wamego was great… I’m looking forward to seeing her in Hollywood. Castro bro… just couldn’t really embrace him being a chosen one. Okay, Phil……. WHY are the obvious no-talent losers allowed by the initial screeners to step into the throne room and “perform” for the judges while countless others with at least mediocre talent are told no from the get-go? Do they sign some sort of permission slip/waiver allowing them to be publicly humiliated on A.I.? Are they paid for this humiliation? Surely I’m not the only one who wants to know.
Great Question Hawkmama…so whats the scoop Phil?
Thank goodness for Phil Stacey. It would be so hard to navigate the intellectual juggernaut that is “American Idol” without his comments letting me know what happens.
American Idol can be summed up as the following: a tv show that takes no talent hacks and makes them famous by appealing to the instant celebrity virus that has inflicted this nation. None of the people on this show will have any lasting effect on our culture (other than polluting it) and will be forgotten.
Phil, I loved every minute you were on Idol! I have your CD and play it often; I went to River Fest and sat in the rain to watch you and hear your concert! I’ll be looking forward to your comments during this season of Idol! Thanks for all the news.