Danny Gokey is one American Idol contestant that deserves the fame. He’s talented, he’s down to earth, and his story touched america.

Check out Danny’s original audition:

This has to be one of the best original songs we’ve ever heard on American Idol.

From Larry Platt comes “Pants On The Ground.”

Here are the lyrics if you want to sing along.

Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground

With the gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways
Pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat
Lookin’ like a fool
Walkin’ downtown with your pants on the ground

Get it up, hey!
Get your pants off the ground
Lookin’ like a fool
Walkin’ talkin’ with your pants on the ground.

Get it up, hey!
Get your pants off the ground
Lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground

(Repeat second verse)

Simon stops him at this point… too bad.

American Idol knew it before he even got on TV. Adam Lambert had extended play on the show and it paid off. Paula said he was one of the best they’d ever seen, Simon said he was theatrical, but all four judges gave him a yes.

The best part about this video is you can see Adam’s true personality. He’s friendly, confident (but not cocky) and seems like an all around nice guy.

When Kris Allen firs auditioned, he said there were probably better singers (Adam Lambert?) out there than him. And when he sang his song, Simon, Randy and Kara all gave mediocre feedback. But they gave him a chance.

It just goes to prove that you have to listen to the negative feedback, learn and grow.

Sure, everyone thinks they can sing, but can you really? Here are a few things to help weed out those that can’t sing and shouldn’t audition.

1. Get a copy of Karaoke Revolution for PlayStation 2 and sing along. If you can’t get very far in the game, you may want to reconsider.
2. Find an open mic night and get on stage. They’ll be a good judge of you talents, plus it’ll show you how comfortable you are in front of a crowd.
3. If you’re going to the costume store, don’t go to the Idol auditions. Showcase your voice, not your ability to dress up like it’s Halloween.
4. Don’t sing Christmas songs, children’s songs or anything that’s not heard on mainstream radio. The judges are looking for mass appeal out of the winner.
5. Practice Practice Practice. You only get one chance (unless you have lot of money to fly to all additions) and the judges will accept no excuses.
6. Be at least a little humble. No one likes a cocky a** who knows they are good no matter what anyone says. Remember, America has to like you enough to keep you on the show.
7. Respect the judges. A little disagreeing is fine, but flip out and you’ll forever be made fun on on the blooper reels.

Everyone knows that there will be plenty of odd balls in every round of auditions, but do you want that to be you? Save yourself the humiliation and heart break by testing out you talents on more than just your family and friends as their opinion is not always 100% truthful.

More details are surfacing about American Idol for groups/bands. We reported a bit yesterday, but here are the details.

Requirements

• Each member must be a legal U.S. resident eligible to work full-time in the United States. If a member of your band is a minor, the minor band member must be eligible to obtain a permit to work in the entertainment industry.
• Each band should have at least 2 members and include some form of musical instruments. No acapella groups will be considered.
• If your band advances to the finalist round of the competition, each member must be able to demonstrate that he/she does not have (either alone or as a member of a group) a contract for talent representation (for example, a talent agent or manager), a music recording contract, a merchandising agreement, or any other contractual arrangement that would prohibit you, or any member of your band, from entering into a management contract, recording contract, talent contract and/or merchandising
  contract.
• Neither you, nor any member of your band, can be a candidate for any public office at the time of your audition for the Program. If your band is chosen to participate, each of you must agree not to become a candidate for public office until after the initial broadcast of the episode of the Program in which you appear.
• If your band is selected to participate on the Program, each member must execute waivers and release agreements as required by Producer.
• If you are under 18 years of age, both you and your parent or legal guardian must sign each of the forms and cooperate in having the forms court approved, if and when requested by Producer.

Casting Information

• Submit a video recording of your band, along with a completed Participant Application and Consent and Release.
• All videotapes must be submitted with completed Participant Applications and signed Consents and Releases (one for each band member). All applications MUST be written clearly or typed and MUST be accompanied by a video recording.
• Format: They prefer DVD, but will accept VHS.
• Your audition must contain the following:
• Information about your band, introduce the band members, and tell them why you should win our television band competition.
• Your tape must include a performance by your band. They are looking for all genres, all ages, all looks, all sounds!
• DO NOT SEND US AUDIO TAPES OR CD DEMOS! They want to SEE you perform!
• If possible, DO NOT tape your band in front of a blank white wall or window. A dark wall or a distant background is better.
• Make sure that you check your tape when you’re done for good sound and picture quality.
• All tapes must be labeled with the band name, contact name, address and phone number on both the face and spine of the tape.
• Only one entry per person is allowed.

Send your Application Form, video recording, copy of identification and signed Consent & Release Form to this address:

Band Show Casting Department
8391 Beverly Boulevard
PMB #464
Los Angeles, California 90048

Each entry MUST contain:

• Completed Participant Application Forms and signed Consent and Releases for each band member
• DVD or VHS recording labeled clearly with band name, contact name, address and phone on face and spine of the tape.
• Identification – Attach a copy of each band member’s driver’s license and at least one (1) of the following to each Application: Social Security card, passport or birth certificate.

As with American Idol, if you audition, and suck, they can and will exploit that for entertainment. Just be warned.

That’s it! Grab your video camera and get shooting. Who knows, the next band we hear on the radio may just be YOURS!