American Idol auditions in Birmingham

[kayman]

Dennis Leonard, general manager of Fox 6 News in Birmingham, said Thursday he thinks there is a "very good possibility" that Birmingham will be selected as one of the cities where "American Idol" holds tryouts this fall for the 2007 season, which kicks off in January.

Their reasoning of considering Birmingham as a possible auditions location is because it is the only metropolitan area in the country to have produced more than 3 'Idol' finalists.

Auditions in other cities have typically attracted several thousand people, most from outside the area, who often camp out days ahead of time, he said. Leonard said "Idol" has showcased the new face of Birmingham as a diverse, friendly city and countered negative images of 1960s civil rights unrest.

Idol Producers Consider Birmingham for Auditions

[Blazer85]

They also love the way Birmingham gets behind something and how much they support their people. Would be excellent publicity and provide us some nice tourist revenue.

[Blazer85]

I've heard it's pretty much a done deal now. Just waiting on the confirmation of the other 2-3 sites before it becomes official.

[Blazer85]

It's confirmed. Birmingham will be one of 7 cities hosting auditions for the popular reality show American Idol. Will be great publicity and a great burst of tourism for the city.

Here's a link to the story: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/ne...auditions_x.htm

[kayman]

I am glad to see Birmingham getting the national spotlight and exposure via American Idol. Hopefully this will also help give the BJCTA board the push to create an actual Plan B.

[Blazer85]

Here's a quick clip of Birmingham on American Idol's website. It's very short, but has some outstanding aerials of the city (I'm assuming from helicopters).

http://www.americanidol.com/auditions/birmingham/

[AlabamaGuy2007]

Here's a quick clip of Birmingham on American Idol's website. It's very short, but has some outstanding aerials of the city (I'm assuming from helicopters).

http://www.americanidol.com/auditions/birmingham/

That is a truely awesome video, I loved it!!! I wish that the city could come up with something JUST LIKE THAT and put it on NATIONAL TV instead of just markets within Alabama. That was one perfectly designed video!

The last view of downtown was my favorite.

[kayman]

Strangely enough they left off mentioning Riverchase, Alabama Adventures, Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and The Summit. It's good that they are listing some of the tourist attactions but some of the main ones for this region are either forgotten, left off, or ignored. However, at least they are trying which I will give them credit for.

That is a truely awesome video, I loved it!!! I wish that the city could come up with something JUST LIKE THAT and put it on NATIONAL TV instead of just markets within Alabama. That was one perfectly designed video!

The last view of downtown was my favorite.

You should send that video to the GBCVB where they have dropped the ball once again with that tourism campaign that supposed to have started in April but never came to fruition.

[AlabamaGuy2007]

Yea, but, I think that they were just trying to name people from Birmingham. I guess Vulcan can count, since it's a statue of a person. But, yea, they should have at least included the Galleria.

[DruidCity]

Speaking of American Idol, Ruben Studdard is performing in downtown Tuscaloosa tonight, as part of his comeback tour, if you want to call it that.

[AlabamaGuy2007]

How do you think auditions are gonna do?????

[kayman]

Celeb judges to hear final round in Birmingham

The AI judges were in town today, and boy did they surprise a lot of people. Although the story pre-warns many that they were going to be in town today, a lot of people was still surprised. I even forgot.

[nowensone]

Be wary, it may not be the best publicity for Birmingham. When they came to Greensboro (NC), a diverse, sophisticated, up-and-coming place like Birmingham, they took the opportunity to portray it as a stereotypical southern hick town in how they chose the contestants to "show". The broad representation of GSO weren't even on the initial shows, if that is any sign they clearly pander for ratings by doing whatever they think will work. If they point out that Birmingham is an established nationally ranked medical center, for example, I'd be very surprised. Etc. etc.

[AlabamaGuy2007]

Be wary, it may not be the best publicity for Birmingham. When they came to Greensboro (NC), a diverse, sophisticated, up-and-coming place like Birmingham, they took the opportunity to portray it as a stereotypical southern hick town in how they chose the contestants to "show". The broad representation of GSO weren't even on the initial shows, if that is any sign they clearly pander for ratings by doing whatever they think will work. If they point out that Birmingham is an established nationally ranked medical center, for example, I'd be very surprised. Etc. etc.

So far, they haven't found anyone good at the B'ham auditions. I don't know if they will, but, I'm praying. But, I don't think they're gonna go out to say that UAB is GREAT. Haha, that'd cost some money.