Most Local American Idol Hopefuls Told
"To Go Home and Practice and Try-Out
Again Next Year!"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

It was a hot, hot day in Arlington, at the new Cowboy Stadium, as a bevy of Hopkins County hopefuls tried-out for a position on the popular "American Idol" television contest, Friday. Temperature readings of 108 degrees in the parking lot and many individuals who had risen at 2:00 a.m. to make the trip to Arlington to audition, still failed to thwart the enthusiam, as a number of local individuals were hopeful of gaining a spot on the nationally televised contest.

 

 

"They told me that I had a good voice and to go home and work hard and come back next year," advised recent SSHS graduate, Jake Moreland, who appeared in last weekend's Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant. "So, that's what I plan to do! It was a great opportunity and I'm certainly not sorry that I went and got the experience, even though it was a long, hot day!"

The same sentiments were expressed by Daylan Burns, one of last week's Hopkins County Dairy Festival Candidates, who tried-out, on Friday. "It's experiences like this, that prepare you for the future and allow you to eventually get a 'break' into the industry," stated Burns, who was accompanied by her mother, Shannon Millard. "I knew it was a 'long-shot' with so many people trying-out, but you gained experience and anytime you can do that, it prepares you for the next time!"

 

 

"We arrived at Cowboy Stadium about midnight on Thursday night and 'hooked-up' with Hopkins County residents, Reilly and Hannah Tatum, and had a wonderful time singing and jamming with people from all over, as we waited outside, for the doors to open," advised Burns. "The experiences outside the stadium were just as valuable as those inside. You got to meet loads of people who had the same interests as you and made some fast friends, as everyone waited for the contest."

 

 

"They told Hannah that she had a great and unique voice and was the best talent in her group of four that tried out," explained Reilly Tatum. "However, she didn't get to advance, but was most definitely impressed by the experience and the opportunity to meet and sing with the other people. I'll have to hand it to them, the auditions were extremely well organized with so many people wanting to audition!"

 

"Rowdy" the official mascot of the Dallas Cowboys was "on hand" to
greet visitors at the new Cowboy Stadium.

 

"We were told that we had great voices but just weren't what they were looking for at this time," added Hopkins County natives, Micah and Chesley Walden, both graduates of Como-Pickton CISD. "We had a great time, despite the heat and look forward to possibly attempting the competition next year. It was a wonderful experience and we had loads of fun meeting with the other contestants!"

 

This Idol hopeful, like many others, was remembering Pop King, Michael Jackson, while
she waited her turn to audition.

 

Most Hopkins County hopefuls arrived back home on Friday afternoon, amidst the local "Texas heat wave" and all were tired from no sleep, but denoted a wonderful experience and learning from the experience!"

 

This young man, from Ft. Worth, was "lucky" enough to receive a "ticket" to Hollywood and will advance in
the competition, scheduled for January 2010.

 

 

Congratulations to all who
attempted to advance in the competition!!!

___