• http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/448-HrMSh.St.156.jpeg|421
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" Season 11 winner Scotty McCreery, a native of Garner, visited the thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants that began gathering in the early-morning hours of June 19, 2012 outside Time Warner Cable Arena, hoping to impress judges during auditions.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/82-b37Kp.St.156.jpeg|301
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants began gathering in the early-morning hours of Tuesday.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/83-1aOp2x.St.156.jpeg|416
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" Season 11 winner Scotty McCreery speaks to media members after visiting with the thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants .
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/434-45BYu.St.156.jpeg|404
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants began gathering in the early-morning hours of Tuesday outside Time Warner Cable Arena on June 19, 2012.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/855-CuLNi.St.156.jpeg|488
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Would-be "American Idol" contestants sing for camera crews.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/615-JERor.St.156.jpeg|386
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" supervising producer Patrick Lynn directs thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants while making video for the show.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/68-1eA4vZ.St.156.jpeg|416
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" film crew members work to make shots of the thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/326-19FQLq.St.156.jpeg|511
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    ...
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/899-6PziI.St.156.jpeg|517
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest visited the thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/418-O6utJ.St.156.jpeg|470
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest (right-center) takes pictures with a handful of Idol hopefuls.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/146-1qNmPX.St.156.jpeg|414
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    An Idol hopeful takes photographs of the scene.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/876-JBbH5.St.156.jpeg|525
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Asante Amening, of Charlotte, sings for camera crews.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/54/344-XykwL.St.156.jpeg|421
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Contestants came from all over the region to audition.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/287-dO4ib.St.156.jpeg|525
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Adrien Harrod, of Atlanta, waits for Ryan Seacrest to come out in the early-morning hours.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/54/827-6FfeJ.St.156.jpeg|469
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Kelsey Finney, of Freeland, Mich., sings for camera crews.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/813-RBMkM.St.156.jpeg|525
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Marquise Brown, of Charlotte, sings for camera crews.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/198-fYYZx.St.156.jpeg|443
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    Briana Mabry, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., sings for camera crews.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/54/999-qqqFx.St.156.jpeg|429
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest (left) works with "American Idol" supervising producer Patrick Lynn to create shots of thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/968-Xj57T.St.156.jpeg|414
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest greets contestants outside Time Warner Cable Arena.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/916-PZiLS.St.156.jpeg|416
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest (right-top) works with film crews to create shots of the thousands of would-be "American Idol" contestants.
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/54/415-unByu.St.156.jpeg|428
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    ...
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  • http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2012/06/19/12/53/504-hDqU8.St.156.jpeg|525
    Adam Jennings - ajennings@charlotteobserver.com
    ...
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