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Published Sunday, January 25, 2009 in Local
Newnan High 'Idol' hopeful to audition on Tuesday
By Alex McRae
The Times-Herald
Newnan fans waiting to see how Newnan's other Alan Jackson will fare on "American Idol" should be in front of their TV screens Tuesday when the episode showing Jackson's audition in Jacksonville, Fla., airs at 8 p.m. on Fox TV.
The Idol experience has been quite a journey for the Newnan High senior who was first bitten by the show biz bug at a third-grade talent contest in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Since then, Jackson has sung with friends and formed his own band and soloed countless times at Elim Baptist Church.
He says sharing a name and hometown with Newnan's country music superstar Alan Jackson earned him some extra interest during the Idol auditions, but Jackson realizes a familiar name and mailing address won't guarantee anything.
He also knows that if he does well enough to make it to the top, he'll have to change his performing name to avoid confusion. But that's still down the road. Tuesday night, millions will get to see how the new Alan Jackson handles his first exposure to a national TV audience.
Jackson is surprised things have moved so far so fast. When he was singing with his church and his band, The Alan Jackson Band, making music and seeing smiles on a few hometown faces was enough.
But after some karaoke performances last year at Jekyll & Hyde's sports bar in Newnan brought crowds to their feet, Jackson's friends urged him to try out for "American Idol."
"I was totally opposed to it," he says. "I didn't think there was much of a chance with all that crowd and the whole setup. I didn't bother with it."
Luckily, Jackson's mom, Peggy Rusich, did. She got the Idol information and registered Jackson for the nearest tryouts, in Jacksonville, Fl.
When his mom told him he was registered, Jackson gave in.
"I said, it's a shot, let's do it."
On Aug. 13, Jackson joined more than 12,000 Idol hopefuls who gathered in Jacksonville to begin the grueling Idol journey. He says that because of the huge crowds, swarms of Idol producers and staffers began weeding out the also-rans in a hurry, literally going down the line and asking people to sing for "a second or two" before moving them on or cutting them out.
"Some were pretty bad, and some were pretty good," Jackson says. "Some people didn't sing two notes before they were gone, and I saw them cut some people I thought were really good. It was kind of scary."
That first day lasted from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The next day, Jackson was still in the chase and did it all over again, advancing through tryout after tryout.
How far did he go?
Strict show rules prohibit Jackson from revealing the results ahead of time. But it's not a stretch to say that of the thousands of hopefuls, Jackson was one of the select few that made it to the tryout room where Idol judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Idol's newly-added fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, give a thumbs up or down to aspiring show biz hopefuls.
How will Jackson do? Tune in tomorrow and find out.
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I can't beleive you people, do you always get what you want when you want it? Alan is in Hollywood and just went on to the second round there. I'm sure the contestants don't have any say in what's aired. He's a great humble kid. Be proud of him.
Posted by Fan at 9:14 PM
How would we know that he was on there at all IF we have no idea who the kid is? C'mon folks, the newspaper made a big deal out of it; therefore we expected to hear his name or see him perform. Nobody expected that he would be a flash at the end of the show! He may be very nice, that that's irrelevant. The paper built it up to be something that it wasn't!
Posted by Coweta Resident at 8:01 PM
Alan was in PCB this summer with a girls softball team and was a big hit at the Regency Towers with his singing, I thought I'd check to see if he made it, I was just sure he would! Go Alan!!
Posted by Robin at 6:40 PM
What a relief. I watched all of the show in hopes to see AJ and then didn't. I asked everyone if they had seen him and then looked on here to see if I had misread the article. At least we know now that they have their reasons for not showing him and that he was there and received his Golden Ticket to go to Hollywood. At least we'll get to see him in Hollywood.
Posted by PC at 2:01 PM
101.5 interviewed him on the phone this morning. He was also surprised he wasn't shown and contacted some of the producers and they had their editing reasons that will come out later. He did confirm that he made it through to Hollywood, and confirmed the commercial that has been showing about 1 week now shows him and shows Simon saying he has a good voice and shows him getting his gold ticket.
Posted by Aggravated at 11:21 AM
I can't stand American Idol, but watched in hopes to see Alan. Was disappointed that his story didn't get any air time, but they showed people who couldn't sing making fools of themselves. I saw Alan and the Performing Arts Center and was very impressed. Was glad to at least see him for 1 second holding his "golden ticket". Hopefully FOX wisens up and shows him some other time! And keep in mind people Alan has nothing to do with the editing of the show.
Posted by B at 8:58 AM
He was definately on there, although very briefly! At the end of the show right before it goes off the air, when they are telling how many are chosen to go to Hollywood, it briefly flashes on him coming out of the audition room holding the golden ticket over his head in both hands. Was very dissapointed that it didn't highlight him personally...but he definately was not a no show.
Posted by Idol fan at 8:50 AM
I am sure he didn't know how much of him was going to be put on the show last night. Cut him a break, people. Geez. He is really nice guy.
Posted by Jay at 8:13 AM
Well, I thought I must have noded off for a moment and missed him. But apparently I'm not the only one that may have noded off. No show AJ.
Posted by rpg at 6:29 AM
What happined.I never seen him on idol in Jacksonvill
Posted by Larry at 10:25 PM
What a joke. Why would the newspaper even print anything about his audition if he wasn't featured? Are they in cahoots with FOX and just trying to boost ratings? While everyone is so worried about his name, they should be worrying about whether he is a good singer. If he isn't, the name issue will be a moot point!
Posted by Coweta Resident at 10:07 PM
Watched the whole show looking for himn. Thought I missed it and watched it again (since I had taped it). How disappointing!! Sure hope he does make it to Hollywood.
Posted by Idol fan at 10:04 PM
Yes he makes it to Hollywood, so we will just have to wait another week.
Posted by Aggravated at 9:46 PM
I agree! I watched the whole darn thing waiting to see him and NOTHING?!?!?!?!? Did he make it?
Posted by Ripped off at 9:38 PM
I am so agravated, the least they could have done was shown him in one of the clips at the end of the show, with his gold ticket to Hollywood. I saw a couple of really quick clips of him, but I know we will see him in Hollywood, so that's good.
Posted by Aggravated at 9:30 PM
So what happened to Alan Jackson, I tuned in tonight to see him and never did hear his name mentioned. How did he do and did he make it to hollywood?
Posted by Stephen at 9:19 PM
Well, so much for tuning in to find out how he did! I can't believe newspaper articles and radio stations all had us watching tonight, only for him not to be aired at all!
Posted by Annoyed at 9:06 PM
It's not his name that will give him the edge over the others. It will be his wonderful personality, sweet spirit, and awesome talent. No matter what he chooses to call himself...he will always be a success if he keeps it real and remembers where his roots are planted. Love you ACJ! KF
Posted by Kathy at 5:39 PM
of AJ Corbett! But still love his given name of Alan Jackson as well. :)
Posted by Angela at 9:39 AM
He was named after his dad, who is also named Alan (and no not the famous one).
Posted by Lori at 7:37 PM
If he makes it big he has to use a different name, I think AJ Corbett would be great - - you know with him being from Newnan and his name is Alan Jackson - it very well could be that he is "KIN" to the famous Alan Jackson?????????????
Posted by Anonymous at 4:47 PM
He has already said in a previous article that he is going to be A.J. Corbette.
Posted by Anynomous at 1:43 PM
I say Alan sing at Baja's and I must agree he was GREAT. GOOD LUCK!!!
Posted by Margie at 1:33 PM
I am so excited. Can't wait to watch Alan on Tuesday night. About his name, come on people there are so many people out there with the same name. Alan is very common and so is Jackson. Bet if you did a search you would find 1000's of them.. keep your name and be proud!
Posted by Angela at 12:33 PM
Can't wait to watch on Tuesday! Go Alan!
Posted by Coral at 9:31 AM
He already said he would have to change the name if the need arises. But going to the audition as Alan Jackson from Newnan, Georgia is going to get you noticed. Very smart.
Posted by Raygen at 8:08 AM
I agree he should do something about the name..It may be more of a hinderance than anything else..Maybe use his middle name..Does tend to make me wonder if his parents named him after the original Alan Jackson or what..
Posted by Susan at 11:56 PM
I cant wait till Tuesday...I hope he makes it, and I hope they make our City out to be a special place to live.
Posted by Ryan at 10:31 PM
I bet he makes it but why on earth doesn't he go ahead and get a stage name? That way when he wins IDOL he will already have a good stage name.He will go far in the music industry but the name Alan Jackson/ NEWNAN bit will grow tiresome after a while.
Posted by C at 6:32 PM
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In or out?
2/11/2009
Link To This Comment
Well is he in or out??? It's now down to the top 36 didnt see him. Surely if he didnt make it, he could tell somebody now. I still look forward to seeing him, he's great!
Posted by AJ Fan at 11:34 PM