Melinda Doolittle, Felicia Barton to Address Nashville Auditioners, Crowd could reach 20K (Update: a little over 16K confirmed)

By On 07/17/2010 · 14 Comments · In American Idol, American Idol 10 Auditions

Final UPDATE: An Idol publicist confirms that a little over 16K hopefuls turned out to audition today in Nashville.

Melinda Doolittle and Felicia Barton are on hand today at the Nashville auditions to address the auditioners.   In this short vid, they talk about their own audition experiences, and give a little advice to  would-be Idolers.

Idol peeps report there are upwards to 20K hopefuls filling the Bridgestone arena today.

Chris Sligh is on location, hoping to shoot some video of his own. There’s been a Haeley Vaughn sighting (she was on her way to a FOX interview) and Season 9 contestants Shelby Dressler and Chelsea Chandler, are auditioning again. Shelby is planning to relocate to Nashville.

Brian Mansfield is rocking an awesome live blog today. Read it at Idol Chatter.

Update: Via a tweet from Brian at 12:23 et, “Local production asst. estimates at least 40+ people have gone to the winners’ room so far. None have come outside yet. ”

 
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  • itsalleternal

    Holly Hardin (Guitar Girl from Season 9) is also definitely there. There could be others.

  • itsalleternal

    As for the crowd, take that pundits who say Idol is dead! It seems that people just want to move on…I think the Season 9 tour will be dreaming of things like that! Interesting article here on the paradox.

  • windmills

    You go Nashville! Bring it! I’m excited about next season.

    I’d love it if some folks represented with some banjo and fiddle. But more than anything: great, versatile voices please!

  • chessguy99

    Nashville will probably be the highlight for the S10 audition numbers. I can’t see any other audition city drawing anywhere near the numbers Nashville will.

  • TwigLA

    Love Melinda and Felicia! Already posted about them in the news article.

    Great to see so many hopefuls out there. Despite all the naysayers over the years, AI has turned heads, changed opions, and offered young singers and musicians a platform.

  • http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter brian_mansfield

    Having a great time at the auditions today. I’ve probably talked to at least 40 people who made it through. We’ll have lots of videos coming at Idol Chatter over the next couple of days. But they’ve probably still got at least 2-3 hours to go tonight.

  • FruMiddleton

    chessguy99:
    07/17/2010 at 12:38 pm

    Nashville will probably be the highlight for the S10 audition numbers. I can’t see any other audition city drawing anywhere near the numbers Nashville will.

    Even the East Rutherford / New York auditions?

  • girlygirl

    Brian M tweeted that Shelby Dressler made it successfully through the 1st round again

  • Niall

    I usually don’t pay attention to this round of AI but once they are past the cattle call, when do they go before the producers and all the cuts that lead up to being in front of the judges? Do they get all that done today so the contestants from out of state don’t have to make another trip to their audition city until the judges round, or do they go before the producers/judges all on the same day in a few months? I apologize if this was asked and answered elsewhere.

  • itsalleternal

    They do it over a couple days later. Typically not until late in the summer or in the fall, but it depends on the judges’ schedules as their schedules are limited. They would do all those rounds in one trip.

    This year it may not be until much later as we await any potential judge changes.

  • Ratna12

    Niall:
    Someone posted this on today’s headlines thread

    FruMiddleton:
    07/17/2010 at 12:27 pm

    Here’s my understanding:
    Rd 1) Cattle Call in front of pre-screeners
    Rd 2) Meeting the producers (same day as #1)
    –One month break period–
    Rd 3) Trial run in front of a judges table (not filmed, not really The Judges)
    Rd 4) Trial run in front of a judges table (filmed, still not The Judges)
    Rd 5) THE TV AUDITION (filmed, in front of The Judges)

    I’m sure that they can change this schedule anytime.

  • Ratna12

    Considering the thousands of people lining up in all different cities, it takes talent, personalities, maybe some back story, charisma, the “look”, and yes lots of luck.

    What a long process. That’s why I feel for all the contestants that got criticised after the show is over. I’m sure that all the top 10 feel blessed to have the AI experience.

  • TwigLA

    Thanks for stopping by, Brian, and tons of thanks for getting this info and videos to us. Much appreciated.

  • FruMiddleton

    Lol thanks for reposting my comment, Ratna! I’ve been doing my summer research homework on the inner workings of Idol ;D