'Idol' Tryouts Not Linked with Show

It sounds intriguing: the ad in the paper and on the organizer's website promises a cash prize and a free trip to an "American Idol" audition for next season. So we went to the source to get some answers.

Scott Tubbs, President of Idol Ten, showed us video of the first singing contest he organized a month ago in Shreveport, Louisiana. He says the crowd wasn't what he'd hoped, but he called it a success.

Tubbs is set to hold the same type of contest at an Irving motel this weekend. His ad in the Dallas Morning News and on his website promises the winner $2,500 cash and an all-expense paid trip to one of the cities holding "American Idol" auditions for next season. The fee to sign up is $45.

He also says each registered contestant will get a DVD of his or her performance and a photo portfolio that, for a small fee, will be sent to local and national talent agencies. We asked him what his qualifications are.

"To be fair, I'm not qualified to say, 'This person has star quality,'" Tubbs admitted. "I let the, shall I say, professionals in that field make that call."

We asked him about his ad that reads, "Talent Agency to Conduct Idol Tryouts." Tubbs admits while it is his company, he is not a talent agent, nor will he be sending the portfolios to talent agents.

Instead, he says they will be sent to movie and commercial production companies in Shreveport with the understanding that they will turn them over to casting directors.

"It is a singing competition, but you very well could be chosen," Tubbs said. "You might look like an individual they may want to put in a movie or an extra."

Tubbs says Freemantle Media, the company that produces "American Idol," has sent him a cease-and-desist order. He says he's considering changing the name to "Ideal Ten."

"What would that make Freemantle North America Media look like, picking on a family man who is trying to help someone?" he asked.

We called FOX publicity for comment on this contest, but they could only tell us that "Idol Ten" is in no way connected to or associated with "American Idol." As for the contest promoter, Stubbs is scheduled to be at the same motel where the weekend contest is happening. Wednesday, Tubbs is holding a sales people recruiting and training seminar.