American Idol in North Carolina?
By Jerri Simmons

Locals with good vocal skills might be sad to hear that
American Idol won't hold auditions in North Carolina this year; even though four of the semifinalists in the 2006 show were from the Tar Heel state.

More than 8,000 people came to the Greensboro tryouts for American Idol last year. Some of those who auditioned were UNC students.

UNC Alum David Simmons is an avid watcher of American Idol.

“You’ve got Clay Aiken from 2003. Fantasia Barrino from 2004. There were great ones from this season from here. I just don’t know what to say. They should be coming to North Carolina. There is talent here,” he said.

Fox announced that the show will hold auditions in seven cities. The closest to us is Memphis, Tennessee.