September 2006 News Archive (Page 6)

From California to Alabama, American Idol hopeful are lining up to audition for season six of the show. And now the same can be said about Memphis.

TV station, WMC, had the story.

Thousands of Taylor Hicks wanna-bes lined up outside and around FedExForum Friday morning to register for the auditions. Many, such as Tania Velazquez, had been in line since Thursday afternoon. She managed to make it to the front of the line.

Tiffany Wright drove from North Carolina, through Tropical Storm Ernesto, to teach her daughter a life lesson.

"You only have one chance to live," she said. "You should do whatever you can and not have any regrets at all."

American Idol was supposed to recruit in Memphis last year, but auditions were canceled in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Velazquez was ready to see the judges. "I'm ready for the criticism," she said. "I'm ready for them."

People wanting to meet Randy, Paula or Simon, though, will face additional waits. Prospective contestants have to return to FedExForum Sunday morning and sing in front of a producer for ten seconds. Then, they go in-front of an executive producer. From there, it's a few weeks before they go in front of the real judges.

The American Idol tour may be winding down - but it's not too late to catch up with many of the performers.

Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee may be taking many of the headlines, but as images below prove, other Idols have been enjoying (and sleeping during) their time in the spotlight, as well.

Fans may still be upset that Chris Daughtry was voted off the show so early - but those that have seen the rocker in person are rather pleased.

During her recent impressions of the tour, Kellie Picker left out the part about jumping aboard a police horse. But we caught her!

Life as an American Idol is tiring. Just ask - or look at - Paris Bennett and Lisa Tucker.

Our own Kelly Clarkson walked away with the award for "Best Female Video" at last night's Video Music Awards on MTV. Well, she didn't exactly walk away, since she did not show up. The audience was surely disappointed, but what are you gonna do. Nonetheless, we congratulate Kelly on a job well done!

Interestingly, Shakira and Nelly Furtado were considered the big favorites prior to airing, while Kelly was a major underdog, despite walking away with more moonmen than any other artist at last year's VMAs. We're seeing if we can work any more "Walk Away" puns into this post, but we may have tapped out.

It's amazing that going on two years after the initial release of Kelly's second CD, Breakway, it's impact is still being felt.

In other Kelly news, California Speedway announced that the Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum artist will serve as the Grand Marshal for the SONY HD 500 this Sunday, September 3, 2006.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Clarkson will give the most famous words in motorsports, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines," in front of the Southern California crowd and to a national TV audience on NBC during the Labor Day NASCAR weekend event.

The original American Idol winner will also lead the NEXTEL Cup Series field off pit road in the Grand Marshal car prior to the start of the SONY HD 500.