Rossville native Lauren Alaina parlayed her second-place finish on the 10th season of “American Idol” into a Nashville success story, which includes her induction into the Grand Ole Opry earlier this month.
Who might follow in her footsteps in the 20th season of the talent show?
Early reports indicate that there are at least two hopefuls with ties to the tri-state. Corey Curtis is a 19-year-old pop singer from Summerville, Georgia. Hunter Wolkonowski, 23, is a country singer from Winchester, Tennessee, who goes by the stage name HunterGirl. Wolkonowski, who was born in Gruetli-Laager, was in Chattanooga as recently as October, working as a songwriter with Freedom Sings USA (formerly Operation Song).
The new season of “American Idol” premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
When musician-singer-producer Lionel Richie was first asked to be a judge on “American Idol,” he said no. “I said, ‘Guys, I’m busy. I’m an artist. I have to be on the road. I want to be out where my fans are.'”