Aspiring pop stars from all around East Tennessee are expected to converge on Knoxville's Krutch Park today to audition for the popular FOX TV talent competition American Idol. The American Idol Audition Bus is currently on a five-city tourthroughout the Southeast in search of contestants. Crowds in previous tour stops like Tuscaloosa, Ala. and Little Rock, Ark. have numbered in the thousands.
In the show's twelve-year history, East Tennessee has never produced an American Idol winner. However, Janelle Arthurof Oliver Springs made local history last year when she finished fifth in the annual competition, the highest showing for any contestant from this region.
Today's visit marks the first time the show's producers have elected to come to Knoxville to audition talent.
Since first airing in 2002, American Idol has helped to launch numerous successful show business careers. Alumni include Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson.