American Idol
Students make journey to Austin in attempt to become an American idol
By Jill Meninger
Staff Reporter

Some TCU students were among the crowd of big dreamers as the search for the next superstar began.

Auditions for the second season of “American Idol” took place in seven cities, including Austin, according to the “American Idol” Web site (www.idolonfox.com). The search ended Monday in Los Angeles when those selected in all of the seven cities were narrowed down to 30 in three groups of 10. The viewing public will vote for a final three in each group for three consecutive weeks. The nine contestants selected will advance in the competition as well as one “wild card,” chosen by the judges from the remaining 21.

One in 12,000
The number 12,503 is probably a number Ben Thompson will never forget. That is the number he said he was given at the “American Idol” tryouts after he was called back for a second audition.

Thompson, a senior musical theater major, said he tried out because he thought it would be a fun experience.

“It’s an opportunity to perform,” Thompson said.

Although he said it was fun, he did say there was a lot of waiting around. Thompson said he had to wait 12 1/2 hours the first day, then 6 1/2 hours the second time he got called back and 9 1/2 hours the last time.

Concerning his song selection during his auditions, Thompson said he chose songs that were “comfortable” to him: “Lately,” “In the Still of the Night” and “My Girl.”

He said his last tryout, Nov. 11, was the first time he sang in front of the celebrity judges, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. After he sang for a short time, he said all three judges commented on his performance, and they all agreed he would be better for Broadway.

Thompson said he was nervous the first couple of days but by the time he made it to the celebrity judges he was not nervous anymore.

“It was all part of the experience,” Thompson said.

Colored bracelets
Joshua Doss, a senior theater performance major, said he stood inside the Doubletree Hotel in Austin for eight hours before he finally got a bracelet that gave him the chance to audition. He said there were already 1,700 people standing in line at 1 a.m. Nov. 6, but he said the auditions did not start until 8 a.m.

Doss said he watched the first “American Idol” religiously and knew about auditions for the second one from watching the first one. However, Doss said he got the specific information from the Web site. Doss said Kelly Clarkson, the winner of the first “American Idol”, was an inspiration to him.

“You can be from a suburb in North Texas and still go to L.A. and have people give you a million dollar contract,” Doss said.

Doss said he auditioned the first time to an unfamiliar judge. He said he sang two short songs: “One Song Glory” and “Summer of ’69.” Afterwards, he said he was given another bracelet but of a different color, which meant he had been called back to audition Nov. 8.
He also tried out for the musical “Rent,” Nov. 7, while in Austin. Doss said he never auditioned again for “American Idol” because he said he was called back to audition for “Rent” again Nov. 8. He said he did try and go back later that day for the “American Idol” call back, but that he was too late.

Even though Doss did not make it to the Top 10 for the show, he said he has no regrets.

“It was an experience and now I have a story to tell,” Doss said.

Music career
Senior music major Jason White said after he watched the first “American Idol” he wanted to try out because he said he would be more successful than some of the first contestants.

“I knew I could do better than some that were on it the first time,” White said.
White said he made the first cut and tried out a second time Nov. 16. He said he sang “I’ll Be” and “The Right Stuff.” He said he has been singing since he was in middle school and that music is his passion.

“I’d like to make a career out of it,” White said.

He said producers of the show told him at his last audition that he was not what they were looking for.

Although he did not make it to the Top 10, White said he had a lot of fun.

“If they do it again, I am sure I will give it one more shot,” White said.

Jill Meninger