American Idol announced the dates for auditions today, and Charleston made the cut. Which means teens and twentysomethings from Beaufort and beyond who want to make it as the next big pop sensation will not have to drive all the way to Atlanta.

Anyone out there thinking about auditioning? For you parents, if Little Bobbie or Sue came to you wanting to tryout, are you willing to put up with the travel and lines and sure-to-be mania? It would be nice to see someone local make the show. We already had a local guy make the broadcast for So You Think You Can Dance. We could make it two for two.