American Idol 6 News (Page 11)

With auditions for a new season of American Idol practically underway, it's time for a little sage advice -- from some of the select few who have actually survived the early rounds and gone on to make a name for themselves in Hollywood.

"Be yourself and pick songs that make you stand out," advises Carrie Underwood (right).

"Be yourself and sing like it's your last time singing," Fantasia Barrino urges.

"Be you," suggests Paris Bennett. "And no theater songs. Boring."

Be realistic about your talent, recommends Katharine McPhee: "Don't sing Etta James' 'At Last.'"

And for those taking part in the nationwide Season 6 contestant search, which begins today in Southern California, here's a practical tip from Bucky Covington:

"Plan to go to two cities. A lot of good people get cut in the first round," he says.

A key step is, obviously, not to fake it. Know thyself, as Plato told us, and then be thyself, as Underwood et al. instruct.

In song terms, think "I've Got to Be Me" -- but don't actually sing the Broadway tune made famous by Sammy Davis Jr. Theater songs are boring, remember?

That's all well and good, but there must be more to making it with American Idol. There is a need for something more, said Season 4 finalist Constantine Maroulis, who took a break from his current tour to speak with Forbes.

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The road to Hollywood, fame and fortune begins in...

... East Rutherford, New Jersey?

That's the hope of thousands of area residents, at least, as the cavernous Continental Arena plays host to local auditions for American Idol 6.

What takes an hour or two to cover on TV is actually a marathon week that tests the nerves and voice of every hopeful singer who makes his/ her way to Exit 16W. To guide you through the process, a local publication offers the ins and outs of the auditions, thanks to insight from someone who's been through it -- JP Molfetta of Ramsey, N.J., who tried for Season 4.

According to the oddsmakers, there's a 1-in-7 chance the next cog in the American Idol machine will be at Continental Arena next week.

The road to stardom and next May's season finale begins with the audition process, and for the first time that includes East Rutherford, the second of seven cities Idol will travel to during the next two months.

Given that thousands are expected to try out, what makes one stand out? What are the steps that send someone on the road to Hollywood with a shot to become the next Kelly Clarkson (right)?

We've got you covered.

Coordinating producer Patrick Lynn, along with Molfetta and his brother Rich, who made the rounds of audition cities and got a bit of airtime in Season 4, helped map out a plan for future hopefuls:

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Tears filled Shannon Smith's eyes as she was crowned the 2006 Twin Tiers Idol Wednesday night at a mall in Upstate New York.

The Elmira Star-Gazette reports that the Breesport, N.Y., native, 19, was overcome with emotion as she was enveloped in a sea of family, friends and other contestants as they hugged and congratulated her. Portions of the Janis Joplin classic, "Me and Bobby McGee," which Smith sang twice during the contest, could be heard over shrieks of excitement.

Four weeks ago, the competition began with 20 young hopefuls vying for an all-expenses-paid trip to audition for Season 6 of Fox's American Idol. The field was narrowed down to 15, then 10, then five, and finally, to Smith.

"Excited. Overwhelmed," Smith said in describing how she felt after being handed the large Twin Tiers Idol trophy.

Next on the to-do list for Smith, who works as a teller at Elmira Savings Bank in Southport, N.Y., will be to head to East Rutherford, N.J., on August 14 to audition for the program that has made household names out of singers such as Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken.

"I think I've got to work really hard... definitely," Smith said, adding that her experience in winning the Twin Tiers Idol competition should help her prepare. "I've definitely learned that variety (in music) is a good thing, and you want to connect with your audience."

She's not kidding about the variety. Smith treated spectators to a sample of her yodeling as well as singing skills during the competition.

Wednesday's ceremony was a chance for Smith and her fellow contestants who made it to the top five -- Jeremiah Tyler, Juliana Johnson, Olivia Fagan and Katie Geary -- to have some fun. They each began by singing their favorite song from the contest, then performed a medley from the musical "Grease" with judges Brenton Sheppard and Wendy Owens.

The contestants, who grew close during the competition, as we have seen for years on American Idol, found they had plenty of support as they sang once more for fun. The crowds grew from between 400 and 600 the first week of the competition to between 1,700 and 2,000 Tuesday night, the last night for the public to vote for the Twin Tiers Idol.

"We've had such tremendous support from the community. It's heartwarming for me to know that I can help these young up-and-coming singers," said Cheryl Guild, marketing director for the Arnot Mall, the event's venue.

It wasn't just the heat of battle that 100 American Idol hopefuls had to endure Saturday during auditions in West Des Moines, Iowa. The drenching humidity and soaring temperatures made for a downright brutal competition at the Jordan Creek Town Center's amphitheater, the Des Moines Register reports.

For 100 aspiring superstars from all over Iowa, the objective was to earn a guaranteed audition for American Idol 6. That meant bringing their game faces and signing their hearts out, regardless of the adverse conditions.

"If I had known we would be outside, I would have changed," joked 23-year-old Aaron Streck of Burlington, Iowa.

As he sipped from a bottle of water, Streck's combination of a long-sleeved shirt topped with a short-sleeved one, as well as torn jeans, left him a tad warm. The heat also took its toll on the audience, with one teenage girl requiring medical attention.

The Des Moines area's local Fox affiliate, KDSM Channel 17, held open-call auditions beginning at 10 a.m. for the first round of this year's Iowa Idol competition. Similar to American Idol, the Iowa talent search, now in its fifth year, looks for the most talented musical performer in the state.

The highly-anticipated American Idol 6 premieres in January.

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Auditions for the sixth edition of Fox's American Idol kick off August 8 at The Forum in Los Angeles, and will then continue at the following venues/dates:

• The Alamodome, San Antonio, Tx. -- August 11
• Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, N.J. -- August 14
• The BJCC, Birmingham, Ala. -- August 21
• FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tenn. -- September 3
• 
• Target Cente, Minneapolis, Minn. -- September 8
• Key Arena, Seattle, Wash. -- September 19

Think you've got what it takes to be the next Kelly Clarkson? Or Carrie Underwood? Well, you don't. Who are you kidding. But, there's no harm in giving it a shot. Everyone has the right to dream. Maybe you know a friend whose talents are just waiting to be discovered. Or maybe you're the next William Hung and can snag your 15 minutes of fame. Just go!