American Idol auditions in Orlando! Register today! Bring a Speedo and your Dad's mugshot!

This is it, the big day, your first pivotal step to fame, fortune and a sweet catfight with Kara DioGuardi! Starting at 6 a.m. today, registration for local American Idol auditions will run for 48 straight  hours at Orlando’s Amway Arena. Once you get your magic wristband, you’ll be all set to warble almighty at Thursday’s auditions for the show’s ninth season.

We’ve provided important logistical information for all you future Fantasias (see below); we also strongly suggest checking out the labyrinthine rules at americanidol.com.

But while those regulations are crucial, we’d like to offer a few secret audition tips. Yes, we enjoy ridiculing people on Idol. But we’re talking Sunshine State pride here, and we want our FLA brethren to shine on Thursday!

So allow me to help you get to the American Idol Promised Land, which looks not unlike Paula Abdul’s shiny cleavage.

Tip No. 1 If you’re big and you’re hairy and you simply want to get on TV, wear a bikini. This goes for men and women. Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell did the vampy thing last year, so producers want a twist on the trend. You won’t get to Hollywood, but your hirsute bodaciousness will make prime time. I can already see the zany bikini montage now. Look! Chewbacca in a thong! Genius!

Tip No. 2 If you’re really in it to win it, sing Sam Cooke. This is the best advice I’ll give all day. You’ll get scolded for attempting to match Whitney, Celine, Aretha. But Idol rewards those who cover — even screeech (see Lambert, Adam) — the greatest R&B singer of all time. Can’t go wrong with A Change Is Gonna Come or You Send Me. In a related matter, you also can’t go wrong with having a Dad in prison. Always a bonus!

Tip No. 3 If you’re attractive  but your pipes are only mediocre, don’t dress sleazy to overcompensate. That only works while charming music critics. Instead, try the old Humble Hottie routine. Producers will provide plenty of G-rated Allens and Archuletas. But a lot of us watch for subtle tongue-waggers Kellie Pickler and Ace Young, too.

Tip No. 4 Please, for the love of Simon Cowell’s man-bosoms, don’t get a case of the vocal runs. Producers look for unique voices — not someone who sounds like Mariah Carey trapped in a Cuisinart. Instead of shattering octaves, you’d be better off gaining weight, growing a beard and rocking a ’kini. Trust me.
 
Tip No. 5 If I’m doing my math correctly, producers will be on the lookout for either (1) a dynamic R&B entertainer with flash (aka the Michael Jackson effect) (2) a cutie-next-door with a big voice a la Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood and (3) a vaguely cocky rocker a la Chris Daughtry, David Cook and Adam Lambert. If you happen to be any of those, get to Orlando pronto.

And if you see me, say hello. I’ll be the dude in the pink Speedo.

Registration for American Idol tryouts in Orlando are today and Wednesday at Amway Arena; auditions will be held on Thursday. Registration will begin at 6 a.m. and will continue for 48 hours; only one person in line with you through registration.

You must have two forms of ID that show proof of your age and a photograph; if you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Amway Arena, 600 W Amelia St., Orlando. (407) 849-2558. http://www.orlandovenues.net/. Parking is $5.

Idol Follies: Associated Press

Are you the next Tampa Bay Idol?

Hey Idol wannabes: FOX 13, home of the unsinkable Charley Belcher, is once again looking to send a Tampa Bay singer to American Idol auditions, this time in Orlando, July 9. Winner of the local contest skips to the front of the sweltering, serpentine line for a guaranteed shot in front of producers for Season 9.

Last year's lucky lungs belonged to Tampa's Cesar De La Rosa, who made it all the way to Hollywood, only to be doinked by Cowell & Co. Eric Deggans and I will be celeb judges this year, along with Belcher and a cavalcade of stars. If you're interested, HERE'S THE SCOOP on all the action.

Daly TV: Talkin' Pat Benatar, Bob Marley and...Amanda Overmyer!

First of all, John Thomas of ABC Action News has the greatest posture of all time. Dude should run for president! I swear I was sitting up straight when we taped the following video, but jeez, I look like I should be schlepping brains for Dr. Frankenstein. Anyway, here's another fast, sweaty segment on upcoming albums and concerts: Today we're talking Steve Martin's The Crow and Ziggy Marley's Dad tribute B is for Bob, plus Pat Benatar's June 27 show at Tropicana Field and the July 4's Amanda Overmyer-Daly throwdown at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Pete. GO HERE!

DALY TV: Struck by Lightning Round!

So I graciously go on FOX 13's Lightning Round to give my valuable expert opinion on Adam Lambert, Miley Cyrus, paperless ticketing, etc. And what do I get in return? Guff. Mockery. An in-studio temp of 157 degrees. I gotta hear about how great my colleagues Stephanie Hayes and Ernest Hooper are when they come on the show. And yet, I continue to adore and respect my beloved on-air chums Mark "Eruption" Wilson, Paul "Thunderclap" Dellegatto and Chip "Dead to Me" Carter. Why? Because I'm a big giant TV slut. On with the show!

The Lovemakers, Allison Iraheta, Miranda Lambert to release new albums

Here's some cheap, quickie, topless album news for you...

* Oakland electropoppers the Lovemakers -- aka former paramours Scott Blonde and Lisa Light fighting and [bleeping] in catchy, clashy dance-floor fashion -- will release sophomore album Let's Be Friends (yeah, right) on Sept. 1. Love these guys. Here's my REVIEW from 2005.

* American Idol fourth-placer Allison Iraheta -- she of the raspy voice and underage driver's license -- has signed to 19 Recordings, with a licensing deal through Jive Records. This is the same group that Idol champ Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert signed to earlier. No set release date for her new album, but should be in the fall. The new "Red Rocker" (so sorry, Sammy) will perform at the St. Pete Times Forum July 28 as part of the American Idols Live tour (TICKETS). 

* Miranda Lambert's new song Dead Flowers might stink, but she's still the top female star in Nashville right now. Her third album, Revolution, will be released Sept. 29. Her first two albums, Kerosene and the downright brilliant Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, were sexy quasi-psychotic smashes. Here's a badass interview I did with the crossbow-totin' Lambert back in 2007. I thought we were in love, but she soon left me for Blake Shelton. But hey, that's another blog...

Adam Lambert comes out to 'Rolling Stone': Yep, he's gay (and he was hot for Kris Allen!)

In the new ish of Rolling Stone, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert finally reveals (or better yet confirms) that he's gay: "I'm proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It's just another part of me."

The far juicier scoop is how he felt about Idol champ Kris Allen, the Evangelical aw-shucks Christian who was Lambert's roommate:

“I was like, ‘Oh, (bleep), they put me with the cute guy,”’ Lambert says. “Distracting! He’s the one guy that I found attractive in the whole group on the show: nice, nonchalant, pretty and totally my type — except that he has a wife. I mean, he’s open-minded and liberal, but he’s definitely 100 percent straight.”

In related news, Lambert today officially signed to 19 Recordings/RCA. His debut album is set for an autumnal release.

Lambert, Allen and the whole gang will bring the American Idols Live  tour to Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum on July 28. (TICKETS)

New Daughtry song "No Surprise"

Daughtry |MTV Music

Every now and then I like creamed chipped beef on toast. And every now and then I like a Daughtry song. The Bald Wonder sure has discovered a comfy microwaveable template, hasn't he? No surprise, indeed. New album Leave This Town comes out July 14. Whattaya think, Pop Lifers? You like the song?

A Wild 'n' Foggy Mountain Breakdown: Steve Martin's new banjo album 'The Crow'

Steve Martin
Album: The Crow (Rounder)
In stores: Now
Why we care: “This is the most expensive banjo album in the history of the universe, and that includes possible alternative universes, too.” Yes, it’s that Steve Martin, and yes this is a serious, star-studded undertaking. The day-job comedian has been playing the banjo (and playing it well) for 45 years, and for a vanity project, it's altogether winning. The bluegrass is straight-faced, the clawhammer is frenzied, yet there’s great yuks, too. From the droll, entertaining liner notes to the joyous kids’ cut Late for School (go to the 1:43 mark on the video above -- it's the only cut he sings on), the Other Steve is always lurking.
Why we like it: Lord of the banjo Earl Scruggs shows up to get down. Vince Gill and Dolly Parton duet on heartbreaker Pretty Flowers, which Martin performed on an admittedly odd, awkward American Idol spot. (It didn't help that he was saddled with Megan Joy and "Big Oil" Michael Sarver as vocalists.) Although it probably wasn't intended for young'uns, The Crow makes a great children's album, too.
Reminds us of: Wild ’n’ Foggy Mountain Breakdown (or maybe My Bluegrass Heaven)
Download this: Late for School
Grade: A

Live Review: Gwen Stefani, No Doubt at Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa

TAMPA – It’s been a long time since Gwen Stefani was just a girl fronting a spazzy, party-minded rock crew. After she ditched the dudes in No Doubt in 2004, the former tomboy became a solo starlet and a fashion designer and a celebu-mom. No more thrashy ska for her: Gwennie was shiny, sparkly, new.

But on the biggest reunion tour of the summer, the platinum-topped singer is pulling off the princess heels, pulling on the old tank tops. Everything was in place at the No Doubt gig at Ford Amphitheatre Tuesday: The guys in the band were jacked to be cashing checks again. And a sold-out, girl-strong crowd of 20,000 stuffed the rain-soaked venue (although many folks reportedly arrived late and cranky due to a storm, an accident on I-4 and a graduation at the Fairgrounds.) 

Could Stefani slip back into her old role? If a recent performance on “American Idol” was any indication – yikes! On "Idol," the song “Just a Girl” came off more like a “Saturday Night Live” parody of No Doubt, with perhaps Andy Samberg playing an unsure housewife desperate to fit in with the cool kids.

To read which Gwennie showed up in Tampa, CLICK HERE.

Gwen photo: Daniel Wallace, Times ace photographer

The Jennifer Hudson Baby Shower Playlist

We here at Pop Life are excited to hear that Jennifer Hudson -- Dreamgirl, American Idol, Super Bowl queen -- is seven months pregnant with her first child. We're a little concerned about her hubby, David Otunga, who E! Online sketchily describes as "a former reality star turned aspiring pro wrestler." (Wow, I'm not sure which end of that description is more ominous.) But hey, I was a roving rapscallion before I had kids, and look at me now. Why, I should run for president I'm so noble, honest and put-together.

J-Hud just had a baby shower in her Chicago hometown, and she was no doubt deluged with fancy googaws. But the R&B singer has had a brutal year, so let's gift her with a good ol' fashion playlist.

You can be sweet (Baby Mine -- Alison Krauss), you can be festive (Congratulations -- Traveling Wilburys), you can be cheeky (Knocked Up -- Kings of Leon).

You can be wise (Teach Your Children -- CSNY), you can be slightly wicked (No Good Man -- Billie Holiday). 

Show some love, Pop Lifers!