ABOVE: "American Idol" auditioner James Michael Avance, 20. He auditioned here, but is allegedly from Edmund Edmond, Oklahoma.
We promise to keep American Idol chatter to a minimum on this blog (fans of the show can start looking for our Idol blog, "The Other Door," starting Tuesday).
However, Fox released some photos of Kansas City auditioners, and we post them here for your Idol-y enjoyment. The KC episode is scheduled to air on Wednesday.
(Also check out the shots of the judges from the Western Auto Firestone building at the end of the post. Think there was any PhotoShopping going on there?)
| David Frese, The Star
ABOVE: Auditioner Tiffany Preston, 16, tried out here. Fox says she's from Ada, Michigan.
Above: Andrew Lang, 19, of Columbia.
Above: Mia Conley of KCMO.
It's Edmond, Oklahoma.
Posted by: Gary | January 12, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Who's the new judge?
Posted by: Josh | January 12, 2009 at 01:17 PM
why not just be honest, and say...
HEY EVERYONE!!
BE SURE TO TUNE IN TO THIS IS SHOW!!!! WE ARE PAID TO PROMOTE IT.
btw-
I picked up a copy of the star today, to read at lunch, and WOW!!! .. it is nothing like it used to be.
It is sO thin, and made up mostly of AP wire stories which I read online yesterday.
It reminds of the Daily Kansan back in college... no thats not true, the University Newspaper actually wrote most of their own stories.
Posted by: what up | January 12, 2009 at 02:35 PM
edmunds smedmonds, who cares. its just oklahoma.
Posted by: c jones | January 12, 2009 at 02:58 PM
i'm sure the people left at the star will be glad to hear you don't read it, what up.
oh, wait...
Posted by: Zod | January 12, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Edmond fixed. Thanks, Gary.
Posted by: DF | January 12, 2009 at 03:12 PM
KC Star is always thin on Monday.
Anyway I still don't know the appeal of American Idol. I mean how many winners already lost the recording contract?
Posted by: Steve | January 12, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Josh asked who the new judge is. Andy Edelstein of Newsday explains:
When “American Idol” returns for its eighth season this week, the show will have a fourth judge for the first time in its history: Kara DioGuardi. Here are five things about the 38-year-old singer-songwriter-producer.
| She grew up in New Rochelle, N.Y., the daughter of former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi.
| She has a political science degree from Duke University.
| In 2000, she and Paula Abdul co-wrote “Spinning Out,” Kylie Minogue's comeback single.
| She's written songs for Enrique Iglesias, Pink, Celine Dion, and “Idol” contestants Kelly Clarkson, David Archuleta, David Cook and Katharine McPhee.
| She appeared on ABC's 2006 “Idol” wannabe “The One: Making a Music Star,” a show that was canceled after only four episodes.
Posted by: DF | January 12, 2009 at 03:25 PM
Those photos of the judges were taken from the Firestone building actually (not Western Auto). The auditions took place in the Skyline Downtonwn Salon space. Absolutely a beautiful space with spectacular view of downtown KC. The staff is excellent, friendly, and very easy to look at! Check it out!
Posted by: Denny | January 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Denny, are you serious? I thought that the auditions went on at Kemper, or did they shuttle the finalists to the Judge's location at Skyline? What am I missing?
Posted by: Pinky | January 13, 2009 at 12:14 PM
The first round was at Kemper in August; Round 2 was at the Firestone building in October.
Posted by: Tim Finn | January 13, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Ah, thank you Tim.
Posted by: Pinky | January 13, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I watched a show on TV the other night about the creation / formation of the Monkees. It made me feel ill.
ALL the particpants said, it was the first time that record companies, TV, studios, radio stations, song writers, and yes...newspapers, ALL COLLUDED to manufactor BS music.....
as we can see .. it was not the last time, this collusion occured,, how stupid is the American public?... no wonder we ....ah ... anyway..
we will get what we deserve.
Posted by: what up | January 13, 2009 at 12:55 PM
So, what are they supposed to do now if 2 judges say no and the other 2 say yes? Maybe they need to add yet another judge to get 5. ugh
Posted by: kmoon | January 13, 2009 at 02:39 PM
oh oh oh ...
what will they do??..oh oh ..
OH THE DRAMA!!
You better tune to see..
gimmeAbreak
Posted by: gimmeAbreak | January 13, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Denny wrote: "Those photos of the judges were taken from the Firestone building actually (not Western Auto)."
You are correct. My mistake. Fixed.
Posted by: DF | January 13, 2009 at 03:34 PM
A young man named Derek Lavers from Marshall/ Blackwater, Mo (70 miles from the metro) has made it into the top 25, allegedly. I'm sure AI's producers will not allow another victor from this area so soon. They all ready have this market hooked by the masses after last years results. It's not a conspiracy, it's an openly fixed competition. Don't believe me, see if anyone from the Mid-west wins this year. Highly doubtful. It's all about demographics and hyping up a new community. I hope this hypothesis is wrong, but we'll see.
Posted by: Greg Maddux | January 13, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Correction from my previous post. According to a post on marshallnews.com, the Marshall Democrat News website, this individual (Derek Lavers) is allegedly in the top 36, not 25. This information cannot be confirmed at this time. As for the competition being "fixed", this is merely an opinion of my own based on observable trends from previous competiiton outcomes. I have no confirmed evidence to support this opinion.
Posted by: Greg Maddux | January 13, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Who cares? American Idiot proves that most viewers have no real taste in television whatsoever! American Idol sucks!
Posted by: Sarcastic Sam | January 14, 2009 at 01:25 AM
why dont you crying liberals find something else to bag on I dont watch it nor support it so I dont have an opion of it and here is the number if you must continue 1-800-CRY-BABY
Posted by: John T | January 14, 2009 at 09:48 AM
They opened last night's promo with the shot of the Liberty Memorial and I yelled "Hey boys, it's home!" We're looking forward to tonight. We moved west almost 2 years ago and seriously have not missed all the drama that is a constant in Kansas City. Here's hoping we'll see a familiar face or two in the crowd, but not among the super-losers who fill most of the airtime!
Posted by: bwalsh | January 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I love how America gets more wrapped up in televised karaoke than it does in anything else.
Posted by: randy jackson | January 14, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Crying liberals? What does a distaste in truly awful music and corporate-music propaganda have to do with political views?
Posted by: Proud Liberal | January 14, 2009 at 02:00 PM
John T - thanks for the 1-800-CRY-BABY hotline number - to express our opinion, not opion - did you mean onions? Is our spell check broken today? People, Kansas City's entertainment is a lost cause - accept it. Call 1-800-NO-FUTURE and express your onions, er I mean opinion.
Posted by: Sarcastic Sam | January 14, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Another thought John T-if you don't watch it nor support it, why the fuck are you reading about it and looking at pics from it?? Is there nothing else on the internet for you to complain about? Maybe a Sarah Palin fansite for you to visit?
Posted by: Proud Liberal | January 14, 2009 at 02:23 PM
I am liberal and I like American Idol. I don't understand my political views have anything to do with what TV shows I choose to watch and enjoy.
Posted by: cathy | January 14, 2009 at 03:43 PM
why you have to use the f word? Can you not use another descriptive word in it place.Things like this are so easy to get people going thats just my onion...O,I mean My Opinion.
Thank you for your support.
Posted by: John T Proud American | January 14, 2009 at 03:52 PM
John T - no, no! It's onions not opinion. As for Sarah Palin, - yeeeeaaah! To me, she's like a political Marsha Brady.
Posted by: Sarcastic Sam | January 14, 2009 at 06:17 PM
I believe Asa Barnes tried out again this year. He is the music and band teacher at Smith Hale Middle School in KC. I believe when Idol came to KC to tape the show, I saw him there.
He tried out a couple of seasons ago and made it to Hollywood.
Posted by: Brian | January 14, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Hey I know James Michael Avance real well my son went to elementary school with him in Muskogee Ok, He went just by Michael then. I thought he could sing better than he adutioned! It was kinda funny seeing him there.
Posted by: Jory Bamvakais | January 15, 2009 at 06:12 PM
this is so crazy.
Posted by: american idol live videos | April 04, 2009 at 12:42 AM
James Michael Avance is a phenom singer! I go to college with him, and I just saw him as Angel in RENT and he was SO AMAZING!
Posted by: Omga Faboosh | November 02, 2009 at 12:52 AM
I thought that the auditions went on at Kemper, or did they shuttle the finalists to the Judge's location at Skyline?
Posted by: air max tn requin | March 17, 2011 at 03:40 AM
However, Fox released some photos of Kansas City auditioners, and we post them here for your Idol-y enjoyment. The KC episode is scheduled to air on Wednesday.
Posted by: Basket Puma Pas cher | March 17, 2011 at 03:41 AM
All these KC talents and other great and aspiring singers have been invited to be on Coming 2 Hollywood - the thrid season of the newest and biggest talent competition show which is going into season 3 this year. Your readers, and all aspiring talent should follow it at http://coming2hollywood.com
Posted by: Paul B. Winger | May 09, 2011 at 02:55 PM