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 during their 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.â€
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.â€
Also, thanks to Lisa M for the tip about Danielle Calato, 23 of Snyder, NY who has also moved on to the 2nd round. You can check her out here and here.
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….
So is 10,000 people a good or bad thing?
If they can use instruments, will those that don’t be at a disadvantage? I’m not sure if I think using instruments is a good thing or not.
Does this mean that the people who made it to “the rooms” last year can compete this year? How about the ones that made it to the chair?
Oh crud, I just keep hoping Tommy Daniels and Buckstein (if he’s not too old) come back…
Playing instruments would seem to give those who do a large advantage.
^ Perhaps, but it’s been tried on Australian Idol and Canadian Idol and it didn’t seem to create that big of a difference between instrumentalists and non-instrumentalists.
I’m making plans now for Dallas auditions Monday… myself and 2-3 other friends plan on giving it a shot, so wish us luck!
the only real difference it has shown for Canadian Idol is the singer seems more comfortable on stage.
One more change, not a smart move because if someone can play the piano (like Lisa Tucker) or guitar (Bo; Sanjaya) that would help their performance because audiences are impressed with musician-singers.
IMO, it should happen during the audition phase and not during the 10-finalist phase. Idol often showed the singer playing instruments in the backstory, and IMO that’s where it should stay.
X Factor have used instruments and none of the (3) winners have used them.
Thinking about it none of the top 2 have.
So if you can play an instrument it does not guarantee you a win.
I think playing an instrument would have helped people like Chris Sligh and Sundance who didn’t feel comfortable just standing there and singing and didn’t have the moves some people do. I don’t have a problem with it since it doesn’t seem to have given people an advantage on the other Idol shows.
I think it would be a great thing to add, Canadian Idol has done it this year and it’s interesting to actually see what they’re going to do after Idol
Good luck, Preston! Bring back the inside scoop!
I think if the contestants are allowed to play intrusments, that is a good thing. If it is an advantage, thats a plus. Shows a better rounded performer. Its not going to help them sing any better, though, so they still have to have the voice. The only disadvantage that I can see, is that they might get more people auditioning that can only play an instrument, that might think they can get through on that alone.
If you’re Tori Amos, an instrument would cerainly be helpful, but otherwis, meh for me.
The contestant John Edward Carey Jr., now that is one great political name.
True, meme. lol
Good luck on your audition, Preston! :)
Is Sarah auditioning this year?
Yes it’s wonderful to watch people play their instruments (hee, hee).
I’d love to see instruments allowed. They have been allowed on every season of Nashville Star. They also have an originals night on Nashville Star where they can showcase a song that they wrote. I would love for American Idol contestants to be able to do this as well.
Far be it from me to tell anyone not to pursue their dreams, but jeez, Brian Miller, this is your 5th time auditioning. You might want to accept at some point that AI just doesn’t want you.
*snicker* Yeah, no one on this show’s ever had a shaved head or tattoos. Unless this year they’re all trying to look like Jordin.
I hope they do not allow instruments to be played. I watched Canadian Idol this season where they allowed instruments and it totally sucked.
First of all, you can’t tell how good a person’s voice is when they are singing while playing a guitar or whatever. the acapella auditions are so much better.
Actually, I thought Brian should have made it the last two times! He’s only 20 years old and is such a doll babe! I hope he finally gets to the Top 20.
Good luck, Preston! Take notes, please!
I love this concept! There is enough time between the auditions and the beginning of the show to pick up some lessons if desired. AI needs some freshness as they approach Season 7.
Actually, they NEED to make several changes, but this is a beginning!