This was posted Friday, August 4, 2017 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
WSB-TV, an ABC affiliate, is holding its own "Atlanta Idol" contest three days before the "American Idol" bus arrives in town.
Thirty finalists will be selected to attend the live, in-person Atlanta Idol auditions at the WSB-TV studios on August 19, 2017. Submit your entry here.
The local judges are Channel 2 Action News morning anchor Fred Blankenship, mid-day host Sasha the Diva from Kiss 104.1 and morning host Tad Lamire from B98.5. Former Snellville resident and season 3 runner-up Diana DeGarmo and her husband, season 5 finalist Ace Young will also be judges.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
The winner will be guaranteed a spot in front of show producers, skipping multiple rounds including the tour bus stop. WSB-TV will fly them and a guest to a still unspecified main audition city and keep them in a hotel for two nights with $200 spending money.
Five others will be able to get 'front of the line" access to judges on August 22 when the "Idol" bus stops by Oak Hill at Piedmont Park starting at 7 a.m.
The age limits are the same as they were during the final seasons of Fox's version of "Idol": 15 to 28 by June 11, 2017.
You must submit your entry by 8:59 a.m. EST on Monday, August 7, 2017 for the Atlanta Idol contest.
Else, if you just want to apply directly with the show, you can submit your audition video online now HERE, or you can sign up for free audition alerts HERE
WSB-TV and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution are both part of Cox Media Group.
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Carrie Underwood's husband Mike Fisher has retired from the NHL after 17 seasons. He finished his career as captain with the Nashville Predators, which was perfect given that is the home of country music. And his team made it to the Stanley Cup finals, although it lost.
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Postmodern Jukebox loves "Idol" contestants. The latest cover of Andrea Bocelli's "The Prayer" features Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone. With blonde hair, Toscano is virtually unrecognizable from her "Idol" days. It's a blend of Italian opera and jazz.
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
As Queen + Adam Lambert continue their U.S. tour (skipping Atlanta), reviews keep coming:
[Freddie] Mercury was a constant presence at the band's Wednesday night concert at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Every beat, every massive chord strummed and every high note hit by Lambert (and those in the packed house) was a celebration of Mercury — perhaps the greatest frontman rock 'n' roll will ever know.
Mr. Lambert had many brilliant moments during the evening between the constant costume changes loaded with leather and color (feeling a bit like a Vegas show anchored by Cher)... I know this is not about a competition, but Mr. Lambert still has some vocal growl growing to do for the rock genre.
Simon Cowell has to be thrilled. "America's Got Talent' saw a boost in ratings last year with his return, replacing Howard Stern. And ratings are up again this season when most broadcast viewership has gone down. The show is average 13 million or so overnight and 16 million plus with DVR usage factored in.
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Lauren Alaina duets with Keith Urban. He was a judge season 12 to 15 so he missed Alaina by a couple of years. They did "We Were Us" at the California Mid-State Fair last week.
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And Clay Aiken's Instagram message of the week:
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Mediabase 24/7 chart track
"The Fighter" Keith Urban/Carrie Underwood (No. 1 last week, now No. 8)
"Five More Minutes" Scotty McCreery #50 country
"Remember Me" Jennifer Hudson: #23 AC, peaked at #30 on Urban AC
"Unfinished" Mandisa #4 Christian AC
"The Comeback" David Gokey #15 Christian AC
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