Auditioners will get a seat in the EnergySolutions Arena and be called section-by-section to sing. And it's up to the production team whether they call sections filled with early arrivals first.

"They told us this morning that we would be first," said Bird, who added it "would be horrible" if that doesn't happen.

It was a well-behaved group — quiet, even, in the early morning hours. The biggest noise came from those who were pulled out of line by the "American Idol" production staff for short interviews, a bit of singing and general weirdness.

If the chubby guy waving his belly around on camera makes it on air next year, just remember — he's not local; he's from St. Louis.

And not everyone in line is there to audition. Up and down the line there were adults who were there to chaperone their kids. ("Idol" rules stipulate you have to be between 16 and 28 to audition.)

Among the parents was Brian Rayber, who was trying to nap "with my head on cement" outside the EnergySolutions Arena.

"We drove up from Las Vegas," said Rayber, who accompanied his 16-year-old daughter, Brittany. And she didn't drag him there.

"I didn't have to convince him," said Brittany. "It was his idea."

"She's pretty confident, and so am I," Rayber said. "We drove up (Saturday) and we're staying until Wednesday.

"I wouldn't drive 450 miles for nothing," he said with a laugh.

A lot of "Idol" hopefuls brought friends along.

"I came to support my boyfriend's sister," said Jessica Trevino. The 22-year-old flew in from Houston with 19-year-old Marjon Benam — and they got lost a couple of times on their way to the EnergySolutions Arena.

"Last year, I made it to the fourth round, and the producer of the show told me I was 'too much,' whatever that means," Benam said, who auditioned in Dallas a year ago. "I don't know if that's a good thing or not. But I'm excited to try again this year."

Like a lot of people in line, this is a big deal in her life.

"My parents keep telling me to go to college, but my head's not in the books," Benam said. "This is where my heart's at."

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com