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There was no shortage of patience or confidence Sunday among the approximately 300 people who participated in an unofficial tryout in Charlotte for the Fox TV show “American Idol.”

WCCB-TV, the Charlotte Fox affiliate, held the auditions at its studio off East Independence Boulevard near Cricket Arena.

Would-be singing stars began getting in line late Saturday night, some staying overnight in hopes of impressing a panel of judges with their short auditions.

WCCB plans to announce a winner Friday, sending that person to Seattle for one of the official “American Idol” tryouts – complete with judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.

“The one thing about our winner is that he or she is guaranteed of being seen by the judges in Seattle,” said WCCB station manager Butch Allen. “Everyone else out there will be hoping to get a chance of going before the judges.”

WCCB has been holding the unofficial tryouts for four years, Allen said.

The station’s panel of judges doesn’t always get it right, he added. Several years ago, the judges passed on a young UNC Charlotte student who came before them, saying he didn’t have what it takes. That student didn’t give up, deciding to attend an official “American Idol” tryout in Atlanta.

There, the singer, Clay Aiken, impressed the judges and eventually finished second in the 2003 season. He landed a recording contract and has gone on to a successful show business career.

The group that stood in line under a blazing sun at WCCB’s studios Sunday behaved itself well, police and station officials said.

“We had one woman who was overcome by the heat, but she was able to walk to the emergency van for treatment,” Allen said.

And there was no lack of confidence among those who tried out.

“You’re looking at the next American Idol,” said Peggy McCormack, 27, of Charlotte, pointing to friend Detra Bennett, also 27.

Bennett, a student at UNCC, tried to impress the judges with “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” by country singer Deana Carter.

“It seemed like it lasted only 10 to 15 seconds,” Bennett said. “The judges told me, ‘That was great. Thanks!’ And then it was over.”

Bennett works at night and won’t be able to watch WCCB’s 10 p.m. evening newscasts, when the station will announce two finalists each night this week – and then the overall winner Friday.

“I’ll watch, and then I’ll send her a text message when she wins,” McCormack said.

But Corrie Edwards, 26, of Charlotte, also thinks her friend, 27-year-old Charlottean Monica Gill, is a winner.

“She’ll win it,” Edwards said of Gill, who performed a selection by gospel singer Kelly Price.

John Genaro, 24, of Denver, wasn’t quite so confident.

Genaro, a cook at The Landing, his family’s restaurant along Lake Norman, said he regularly sings while he cooks dinners.

“But when I pulled in here, I sat in the car for about 30 minutes and debated whether I wanted to do this,” he said. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Finally, Genaro worked up the confidence and got in line.

He gave the judges something a little different from the usual fare of country, pop and gospel – Dean Martin’s 45-year-old hit “That’s Amore.”

“The judges said they enjoyed it,” he said. “They seemed to like the fact that it was different.”

And Genaro said he was happy he took the chance.

“It was worth it,” he said. “How many opportunities like this do you get?”

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