Tyler Lewis accepts the news of his elimination at Top 3 with characteristic dignity. Sarah Loverock, seen here during her final week on the show, advises Idol candidates to be prepared and relax.

Musicians wanted: Idol hopefuls can play along at auditions

Updated Tue. Jan. 23 2007 12:46 PM ET

Eye on Idol

Aspiring Canadian Idols who feel lost without their instruments may have a better kick at the can this year, thanks to a major change to the audition process.

In a North American first, Idol hopefuls have the option of playing musical instruments during their try-outs.

Producers hope this will help the show dig even deeper into this country's talent pool broadening the search for the winner. Executive Producer John Brunton feels the new rules should make for an even more dynamic show.

"We are very excited about musicians being able to accompany themselves in the auditions," Brunton said, noting they've always been strictly a cappella.

"'Canadian Idol' remains a vocal competition, but we're hoping this new element brings out people who may have never considered auditioning before."

While all competitors will still be judged equally on their singing, those choosing to bring an instrument will also be judged on their playing ability.

It won't be the first time "Canadian Idol" will be breaking new creative ground. In 2004, the show was the first Idol program in the world to feature instruments on a non-performance show.

Following Canada's lead, several other Idol shows went on to emulate this element, including "American Idol."

CTV announced Tuesday that auditions for Season 5 will kick off on Jan. 27 in Vancouver. The show will stop in nine more cities across the country including Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Halifax and St. John's before ending up in Toronto in mid-April.

The auditions will once again be held mainly in shopping malls and primarily on weekends.

While ending up as the next Eva Avila is really what everyone's dreaming of, many former participants say that just being part of the process makes the stress of auditioning well worth the effort.

"It was so much more fun that I expected," last year's third place finisher Tyler Lewis told Eye on Idol on Tuesday. "It surprised me how much the competition makes you challenge yourself to improve, and how much you can grow as a performer in a few months."

Lewis, who auditioned in Regina, said that for him, giving Idol a chance seemed like the only way he would ever get a foothold in the business.

"I was trying to make contacts in the music industry and wasn't having a lot of luck," he said. "(I was) working a lot of hours in a couple restaurants and really wanting to be performing for people, figured it couldn't hurt, and I'm so glad I took the chance."

After finishing in the Top 100 the first year, Sarah Loverock made it to the Top 10 her second time around in 2006.

She told Eye on Idol she's glad she went back, because in her second year the weight of her experience pushed her as far as ninth place.

"If I hadn't prepared extra songs I would have been screwed," she said. "It's a very good idea to go into this over-prepared! That way, you never get caught wondering what you should do next."

Being ready and relaxed is the best audition advice Loverock says she can give anyone.

"You never really know how hard it can be to sing to a panel of judges," she said. "They want the whole package, someone who is confident and talented. Just be true to yourself!"

Audition Dates (venues to be announced later - all listings subject to change)

• Vancouver, BC -- February 3/4 
• Calgary, AB -- February 10/11
• Saskatoon, SK -- February 17/18
• Winnipeg, MB -- February 24/25
• London, ON -- March 3/4
• Montreal, QC -- March 10/11
• Ottawa-Gatineau -- March 17/18
• Halifax, NS -- March 24/25
• St. John's, NL -- April 4
• Toronto, ON -- April 12/13

Registration runs between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each day of auditions, which are open to all Canadians between the ages of 16 and 28 (inclusive) as of February 1, 2007. Complete rules and regulations will be posted at idol.ctv.ca in early 2007.

 

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