American Idol Auditions Atlanta

By: Mary Smith
Staff Writer
Published: Jan 17, 2010

A Big Week For American Idol Auditions Atlanta

It was a crazy week that led to a few surprises at the American Idol auditions in Atlanta. We first learned that Simon Fuller, American Idol creator, has stepped down as an executive of the show. Fuller plans to start his own entertainment production company.

Idol judge Simon Fuller sold his firm, 19 Entertainment, to CKX Inc for $500 million. He will join former American Idol judge Paula Abdul in the X-Factor. In addition, he will join Hollywood blogger Perez Hilton in search for a new boy band.

Atlanta civil rights veteran General Larry Platt kicked off a new sensation. The song is called "Pants on The Ground" has become an internet fixation. When Platt auditioned for American Idol, it was obvious he was too old to be on at the age of 63 years old. That didn't stop him from getting on and doing his song and dance. The old guy was even doing splits on stage.

After he was done all the American Idol judges were laughing. Simon quipped, "I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit." Simon couldn't be anymore right. Remixes and cover songs of "Pants on the Ground" were found everywhere on the Web.

Neil Young also did his impersonation of the song as well on the Jimmy Fallon show. Guitar covers and hip hop artists add even some of their own lyrics to the song. In a way, we feel bad for Platt because the lyrical genius is being overlooked. However, Platt has an interesting background, which was never mentioned until after the Internet buzz.

Civil Rights Veteran Contestant

The 63-year-old is a civil rights veteran and has photos of himself with Martin Luther King, Jr. The man is remarkable, and it's great to see people of his age having fun with his life. His American Idol audition won favor from judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. Moreover, he earned a nervous endorsement from Simon Cowell.

"I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit," Cowell reluctantly predicted.

Platt's fan base exploded after the show Wednesday night, as his audition for American Idol hit YouTube and Twitter. Within hours, he had been clicked and tweeted into one of the Internet's most popular topics. At his home in east Atlanta, the e-celebrity seemed dazed by the attention.

The American Idol contestant had a reason for the song. He said he and his civil rights colleagues sacrificed too much for today's youth to walk around with sagging pants. Platt is a dedicated foot soldier with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.