Voting has ended. The birdline is: Meet me in St. Louis

Starting at 5:30 a.m. today, about 10,000 "American Idol" fans and hopefuls jammed downtown St. Louis outside the Scottrade Center.

Some were just fans hoping for a view of "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, but thousands were seeking an audition for the show, which starts its 11th season in the fall.

St. Louis is the first audition city for the upcoming season, and besides the many locals, would-be singers arrived from Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Nebraska and Arkansas.The auditions -- open to anyone 15 to 28 years old -- began at 7 a.m. Singers auditioned before the show's producers. Those who make it past this stage will sing for the judges when the show returns here later in the summer.

 

Pop music critic Kevin C. Johnson and reporter Andie Hutner were there to talk to fans, hopefuls, Seacrest and describe the scene. Come back to STLtoday.com and Wednesday's Post-Dispatch for a full report.

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