Among the more than 1 million contestants who tried out for American Idol during the series' 15-season run were the thousands who lined up Aug. 8, 2015, at North Little Rock's Verizon Arena. Survivors returned to sing for the judges at the Statehouse Convention Center on Aug. 22.
A number of Arkansans auditioned at various cities over the years and earned the coveted "Golden Tickets to Hollywood." Most had at least a little TV exposure, and several had a lot before being eliminated. Season 8 winner Kris Allen is the only true Arkansan to make it to the finals.
Fox kept no state-by-state records, but here are a few we remember.
Season 15
• Thomas Stringfellow, 17, Bentonville. So close. The former North Little Rock resident made it to Idol's Top 12 before being cut.
• Ethan "Lil Skinny" Kuntz, 15, Nashville. Sings with Spa City Youngbloods. See later for his comments.
• Trent Harmon, 25, Amory, Miss. The University of Arkansas at Monticello graduate currently lives in Malvern and has made it to the Top 3.
Season 13
• Kenneth "Woody" Gaddie, 28, Maumelle. Works at Little Rock School District. See later.
• LeBryant Crew, 24, El Dorado. Pursuing a career in production.
• Spencer Lloyd, 19, Bauxite. Made the Top 14 before being cut.
• Terrica Curry, 20, North Little Rock. She didn't make it past Group Night.
• Malcolm Allen, 21, Wrightsville. Made the Top 30.
• Eric Wood, 28, Higginson. Still sings with his band, Eric Wood and From Kings.
• Devin Robertson, 27, Little Rock. Starred in Smoke on the Mountain at Murry's Dinner Playhouse.
• Rico Perkins, 24, Little Rock. Made the Top 30.
Season 12
• Charlie Askew, 17, Little Rock. The early fan favorite made the Top 12 before going home. Performed in "All Things Bowie! A Tribute to David Bowie" at Little Rock's Rev Room in January.
• Ann Difani, 23, Fayetteville. The former Miss University of Arkansas received a special audition ticket from judge Randy Jackson at halftime during a Razorbacks game. She made it to Round 3 (the solo round) of Hollywood Week.
• Rachel Hale, 20, Prescott. Made the Top 40.
• Dave Pittman, 27, Mountain Home. Made it through half of Hollywood Week.
Season 11
• Lauren Gray, 22, Hardy. Cut before the Final 24.
Season 9
• Charity Vance, 17, Little Rock. Made it to Round 3.
Season 8
• Kris Allen, 23, Conway. See today's Page 1E to catch up with Kris.
Season 6
• Sean Michel, 27, Bryant. Known for his chest-length beard and long hair, Michel didn't make it through Hollywood Week.
Season 5
• Patrick Hall, 27, Gravette. Made it to the Top 24. He has a YouTube channel and promises a "new album coming soon."
...
A Golden Ticket was no guarantee of success as mass eliminations came quickly in the Hollywood Week frenzy. In Season 1, 121 Golden Tickets were handed out; Allen's Season 8 had 147. Season 10 had a record 327, and Season 15 had 190. Here are the thoughts of a couple of Arkansans who didn't make the cut.
• Wild ride! At 15, Ethan "Lil Skinny" Kuntz of Nashville was one of the youngest hopefuls this final season. Kuntz was showcased in his audition song and a nice Idol featurette showing him at home with the American foxhounds his family breeds.
"I received two yes [votes] and one no," Kuntz says. "Harry [Connick Jr.] thought that I was not old enough to sing the blues but shouldn't do anything else with my life.
"Most people asked me if I was nervous performing at [Hollywood's] Dolby Theatre. I wasn't nervous, just anxious to play. But unfortunately I didn't make it through the first round and was sent home.
"American Idol provided a really great experience and was definitely a wild ride! Being on Idol has opened up many doors and opportunities that I have been honored to take apart in! Not many kids my age can say they have won a spot on TV and represented their hometown nationally! This is just the start of my career and can't wait to see where it leads me."
• Happy and sad. Maumelle's Kenneth Gaddie says, "I remember how awesome and amazing it felt that a man from a small country town in Arkansas with a dream, a voice and a story was getting the opportunity of a lifetime."
During the audition process, Gaddie, who is a large black man with an angelic voice, wondered, "Would I be given a fair shot? I don't look like anyone here and I don't sound like anyone here."
He made it to Hollywood Week, "where my journey ended." He says he appreciates the chance to be heard "even if it was for only a few seconds."
"I'm also sad and heartbroken because the show takes the power away from the American people [and has] gotten away from what it was originally intended to be -- a singing competition. Perhaps if I were a different race and played a guitar and didn't sing as well as I do, I probably would've had a fighting chance."
Gaddie has gone on to use his talents with film and stage work, and education. He adds, "What I've learned from this experience is that great ones will shine wherever they are put, and my time will come."
Style on 04/05/2016