'American Idol' auditions invade Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE - The excitement of American Idol in Milwaukee started early. More than 9,000 registered to audition at the Bradley Center.

They came from all across Wisconsin and beyond, each with a song to sing. And each with the hope they'd do well enough to impress the Idol producers to continue on in season ten.

"I plan on just shaking off the nerves first, practicing my song and getting into the zone," said one contestant heading into the arena that was closed to the public and media.

"I had to stand out somehow, I had to," said another contestant wearing big homemade Idol earrings.

The Idol judges won't make it to Milwaukee until round three later this summer but host Ryan Seacrest was here.

"The energy, the enthusiasm, it's one of the best crowds we've had just in terms of the level of excitement," said Seacrest.

Seacrest pointed out the show will evolve this year without his friend Simon Cowell, but with 15-year-old contestants for the first time.

"Interesting you look at the Bieber craze and some of the young stars on the charts they have what it takes at a young age," said Seacrest.

Fifteen-year-old Mckenna Rakestraw of Appleton was encouraged by her sister to give stardom a shot.

"I'm hoping yeah. I mean there's a lot of kids out there and we all love music so hopefully we can spice it up," said Rakestraw.

Not long after the auditions began those not making the cut began to exit the arena. They say the process went fast and you really had to stand out to move on to round two.

"I guess this wasn't the path I was supposed to take," said Brandon Meckelberg.

It was the end of the line early for newly crowned Green Bay Idol Meckelberg.

"They told me you have a fantastic voice, you're good looking but not what we're looking for right now. Okay," explained Meckelberg.

Plenty of others were singing the blues too.

"I can't believe I'm not going to be the next American Idol," whined one contestant, half-joking as he left the Bradley Center.

But for a few hundred or so, they had just what American Idol is looking for.

"I'm very excited I'm trying not to sound, trying to make sense for you right now because I'm thinking about what song to sing next," said Nastassja Bates of Milwaukee.

"Pretty exciting didn't know what to expect, it was a lot of fun," said Nels Leafbled of Minneapolis.

And some winners stood out not entirely based on their vocals.

"Enjoying the moment..." said one Madison contestant dress up in sequins carrying a giant toothbrush.

Former Idol finalists Matt Giraud and Danny Gokey of Milwaukee turned out to let the latest round of hopefuls know anything is possible.

"There's a lot of hopefuls here waiting to see if they're life is going to change you know the American Idol could possibly be from Milwaukee," said Gokey.

"I'd like to find the winner today," joked Seacrest.

Who knows one of these faces in the crowd could be the next American Idol. And as things go in Idol land... In Milwaukee, Leland out.