Five Tips If You're Thinking of Trying Out for American Idol Next Year

For all the people out there who think they're good enough to try out for American Idol next year, I'd like to share some tips to ease your way into Hollywood. You don't need to be the next Kelly Clarkson or Fantasia Barrino but with a little charm and a whole lot of talent, you should be a shoe-in for this competition.

If your only audience your whole life has been your immediate family members, don't go on the show! It never ceases to amaze me when I see a boy or girl try out for the competition and after screeching or being tone-deaf, there's always the mommy or daddy swearing on the world that their son or daughter deserved a ticket to Hollywood. There is another audience besides your family to give you an accurate opinion of your voice. You sang for the mayor? Great! He wanted your vote plus a pity vote from the rest of the county! My condolences by the way.

Even if you're a vocal teacher doesn't make it right to try out. Teaching and singing are two different things. Yes, you're training other singers to perfect their voices and just because you're booksmart with musical notes does not guarantee you're a good singer. I can teach you about the history of our country but I haven't fought in the American Civil War.

How cute. You tried out with your partner and you sing to each other when you're caught in the moment. Keep it in the bedroom! Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have talent, not you two! Spare us the grief and especially for the single crowd out there. It's a singing competition not a love opera. Oh, and if your husband, boyfriend or fiancee are outside the door, DON'T flirt with Simon. It's not classy and it won't win you the golden ticket.

Don't show up wearing a costume. If I'm not mistaken, Halloween has passed and it's the beginning of the year. October is three months before January and frankly you're only making it worse on your part. If you're doing it on purpose so you can get a minute of fame, be my guest and make us laugh. But know the consequences: You're wasting the judges' time and you're wasting the other contestants' time.

Probably the most important tip of all: If you know you have what it takes to be the next American Idol, try your best (and that includes not making facial expressions while you sing). In all the cities they handpick tens out of thousands. You have a wonderful voice and you know it. If you have a weakness that you know will bar you from the competition, take care of it beforehand. If the judges ask you to come back for a second time because of your weakness, correct what you did wrong. Having a great singing voice is more important than showing us your teeth and gums. This is not the dentist's office.