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Want to be the next Taylor Hicks or Carrie Underwood? Or Ruben Studdard or Bo Bice? Then you’re probably already headed to Birmingham on Aug. 21 for the “American Idol” auditions.

You won’t be alone. The estimated turnout for the first tryouts in Pasadena, Calif., last week: 10,000. The number who’ll perform in front of judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell: A relative handful.

So when you show up next Monday, it’s game on. And at least one contestant is ready.

“I’ve been drinking a lot of water (to get my voice ready for the audition),” said Jason Jones, the winner of the WCOV Fox 20 “Montgomery Idol” competition at this year’s Jubilee CityFest.

Jones said he’s been getting a lot of advice from people on how to prepare and he’s not declining any of it.

“Never turn down advice — even if it’s bad,” he said.

Here is a whole bunch of advice and things you need to know if you plan to go to Birmingham and try your luck at becoming the next “American Idol.”

AUDITION RULES

What you need to know about the American Idol audition process:

There will be no overnight camping inside or outside any of the venues this year.

Auditions will start no later than 8 a.m. Even if you are in line before 8 a.m. producers cannot guarantee that you will be seen for an audition. Many venues will prevent people from lining up before 6 a.m.

What to bring to the auditions:

Identification — You must bring two forms of identification that show proof of your age and a photograph (for example, a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport or school ID). If your birth certificate was not issued in the United States, you must also bring proof of citizenship and/or permanent U.S. residency.

Release — Print out and sign the release form provided at www.americanidol.com. The release forms will be in limited supply at the audition venues.

Under 18 — If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must accompany you. If a legal guardian accompanies you, they must bring proof of guardianship. Your parent or legal guardian must have the authority to sign documents on your behalf.

The registration process will begin two days prior to audition day this year. You can come to the venue and register during designated times on the two registration days and up through the beginning of auditions on the morning of the registration day.

If you wait until the audition day to register you will be one of the last and may not be accommodated. Once you have registered, you will be given a wristband and a seating ticket and asked to return on the audition day.

What to wear to the auditions

Do not wear any clothing that reveal any tattoos, have designer names, sports teams or any other logos or brand names or bearing the name of likeness of a celebrity living or dead. If you wear such clothing, you may be required to remove it, turn it inside out or cover it up.

What to sing at the auditions

Be prepared to sing a cappella a song of your choice. If you are called back for the first recall, you may be asked to sing two songs a cappella, one of which may be from a list that will be provided to you by the producer.

All rules and procedures are subject to change at producer’s sole and absolute discretion.

Rules in line

You must be in line by 8 a.m. on the actual audition day. Producers reserve the right to audition people out of order of their place in line.

Due to space limitations, only one friend or family member will be admitted into the venue with the person being auditioned. You may not hold a place in line for another person for an extended period of time.

Wristbands

If you receive a wristband from the producers, you must not give the wristband to another person and you must not accept a wristband from anyone other than the production staff.

Do not remove your wristband until you’re told to do so by a producer.

PACK LIGHT!

Here is what you are allowed, and not allowed, to bring to the auditions. However, producers and security reserve the right to ask you to remove any item from the venue. Any items you bring with you are your responsibility and all bags are subject to search:

Allowed
banners

blankets

bottled water

cell phones

compact folding camping chairs

digital or still cameras

flashlight

hats

mini cooler

pillows

sleeping bags

small bags/backpacks

sunglasses

sunscreen

Not allowed

air mattresses

alcoholic beverages

illegal drugs

animals

candles

cans or bottles

fireworks

hair dryers

large coolers

large folding chairs

luggage/suitcases

lawn chairs or chaise lounges

tents

chairs that do not fold

video cameras or camcorders of any kind

FROM THE EXPERTS

Here are some tips for auditioning for “American Idol” from some of the people who know best — past participants like Carrie Underwood, Fantasia Barrino, Paris Bennett, Katharine McPhee, Bucky Covington and Constantine Maroulis:

1. Be yourself and pick songs that make you stand out. Also pick songs you can tell a great story with and have a strong bridge and chorus.

2. Sing like it’s your last time singing.

3. No theater songs — they’re boring.

4. Be realistic about your talent when choosing a song.

5. Plan to go to two cities — a lot of good people get cut on the first time (the next closest city to Montgomery is Memphis, Tenn., on Sept. 3).

6. Act like a professional, not like you know it all. Treat it like a job interview.”

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