Memphis, Tennessee. Population 650,000. Normally the town is bustling but it appears the town is deserted and everyone is at the American Idol auditions. First up tonight is #55191 Frank Byers, JR 21 from Waldo, AR who is singing Heard it through the Grapevine. He's a bit animated but that's probably due to his cheerleading. Simon hated it and thought it was corny -among other things - and then Frank starts singing Unchain my Heart. Simon says he hasn't changed his mind. Outside his crew do a cheer, complete with the band. Simon gets a bit pissy and goes out and tells them to shut up. Paula says "cheerleaders... they're just there for you".

Next up is #60146 Timika Sims, 16 from Memphis, TN is singing Rok Wit U (Awww Baby) and it sounds so nasally, so much so that the words are sounding mumbled. It's a no all round.

Someone who is exuding in confidence is #53742 Christopher Rivera, 18 from Black Mountain, NC who has picked Superstition as his audition song. He's a bit OTT. Simon didn't understand a word of it and it appears everything is getting lost in translation.

#57801 Alexis Patree, 20 from Southaven, MS is up next singing Square Biz by Teena Marie but no one can understand her. Isn't it time for some talent on this show? Yes it is.

Stepping into the audition room is 27 year old #53450 Jason 'Sundance' Head from Porter, TX. His father was Roy Head who had a #1 hit in 1965 called Treat Her Right which got knocked out of the top spot by The Beatles "Yesterday". He's singing Stormy Monday. This boy is full of the blues. Simon seems impressed. Randy thought it was amazing. Simon thinks it was one of the best voices they've heard on the tour and said he'd be surprised if he didn't make the finals. It's a resounding yes and after he's left they comment on how he just ran circles around Taylor.

#58238 Wandera Hitchye, 23 from Memphis, TN sings A Change is gonna come. It's not wonderful and I can just see this getting ugly. Simon says there are so many singers that sound like her trying to get a deal at the moment. She begs but they say no. Outside she's all upset at not being given a chance. And it looks like the No Club is going to be a big one again today.

Someone with a lot of emotion is #56378 Travis McKinney 22 from Memphis, TN who, after telling us about his relationship with his girlfriend, throws himself wildly into dance on the audition floor. There was no singing, just rapping.

Finally some eye candy walks into the room in the form of #58485 Danielle McCulloch, 18 from Collierville, TN singing Aretha's Baby I love you. Paula said she was like an old soul. Randy wasn't so sure and says no but Simon liked the blues part of her voice. Paula and Simon put her through to Hollywood and she's pretty stoked about it.

So that was day one and the judges were pretty happy to see the end of it.

Day two starts with a bunch of people who are fans of Paula's getting hugs as she walks through the lobby. Litte did she realise she was about to meet her biggest fan. #51826 Christopher McCain, 28 from Kennesaw, GA tells us that his wife left him recently because she was fooling around but he forgave her but then she said she wanted to keep fooling around so he told her to leave. He thinks that when he becomes the next American Idol that she'll want him back but he'll be having no part of that. He auditions with Footloose. Simon asked if he sang that after his wife left. It's a no after he was compared to bad karaoke. At least he got to meet Paula.

#50103 Janite Burks, 20 from Memphis, TN is singing Disco Inferno but it's terrible. Simon says she's a handful. She asks if she can sing something else, her voice breaks - twice. It's a no.

Someone who says he's compared to looking like Osama Bin Laden or Fidel Castro is #55502 Sean Michel, 27 from Bryant, AR. He's singing some Johnny Cash and he's actually really good. A really nice, soulful tone in his voice that you don't expect to hear when you actually look at him. It's a unanimous yes! Fantastic!

Professional Background singer #57073 Melinda Doolittle, 28 from Brentwood, TN is singing For Once In My Life. She's great but she's a little nervous. They all seem to really like her and Simon tells her that despite the confidence, she is on the top 2% of all singers this year.

#53370 Robert Lee Holmes 21 from Memphis, TN is a real character. He's a story writer and when asked about how his story ends, he answers "With a period." Simon was a bit slow to get it but Paula and Randy had a good chuckle. He sings Burning Love but it's not very good at all. Robert wasn't the only one to destroy an Elvis Presley song either. Cue the segment.

#51815 Philip Stacy, 28 from Jacksonville, FL had a phone call in the middle of the night from his wife to tell him she'd just given birth. He was going to sing Let's Get It On since he imagined that was the last thing his wife would want to hear but then changes it to My Girl. He's pretty good and Randy likes his voice and gives him a yes.

22 contestants made it through to Hollywood from this leg of the audition tour. Tomorrow night we're in New York.