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{ Locals try out their star potential }
At least 16 people from the Fredericksburg area are among 21,000 people at American Idol tryouts at the Washington Convention Center.Date published: 8/20/2004 By CATHY DYSON Wanna be the next "American Idol"? Prepare to stand around like cattle for ungodly amounts of time. First, you wait in line for a red wristband that marks you as a contestant, different from the yellow one for friends and family. Then, you wait for the bathroom, where you try to freshen up--if that's possible--after you and thousands of strangers spend 24 hours in a room as big, and as smelly, as three gyms. And while you wait for your shot at stardom, you try to keep your vocal chords lubricated, so you stand in line at one of the few concessions open and pay $3 for a bottle of water. That's what about 21,000 singers and their supporters found out this week when the Fox television show held tryouts at the Washington Convention Center. At least 16 of the estimated 9,000 who sang their hearts out were from the Fredericksburg area. And no, they didn't get their 30 seconds of fame in front of TV judges Simon, Paula and Randy. They auditioned for show producers, who then sent the "very good and the very bad" to the next level, to executive producers. Those who made it to the third round were supposed to sing for Simon and others today and tomorrow. Washington is one of eight cities where tryouts are being held for "American Idol" Season 4. Nobody from our area made it past the first round, or if they did, we don't know about it. You try keeping up with the locals, when "American Idol" workers act like Nazis and keep you corralled in a roped-off area. They won't even let you into the two giant-sized holding pens where the contestants are--you guessed it--also being herded like cattle. "I've done a lot of auditioning, and that line was the most horrible experience of my life," said Sarah Snow, a 28-year-old mother from King George County. Snow arrived at the Convention Center after midnight Tuesday and didn't audition until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Last year, she would have been too old for this kind of nonsense, but "American Idol" extended the age limit this season to 28. The age limit had been 24. Contestants have to be at least 16.
Date published: 8/20/2004
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