'Idol' in Charleston to air Wednesday

This is "American Idol," and this is Charleston.

"Idol's" Charleston area audition episode, taped this past summer, will air Wednesday at 8 p.m. on WTAT.

Now in its seventh season, "Idol" filmed the opening of the episode at Boone Hall Plantation's Avenue of Oaks. Host Ryan Seacrest, his arms extended, welcomes viewers in customary fashion, declaring, "This is 'American Idol.' "

The show also held auditions in San Diego, Dallas, Omaha, Atlanta, Miami and Philadelphia. Fifty contestants advanced to Hollywood.

"Idol" has kept the list hush-hush, but here's what we're hearing: Three singers from South Carolina made the cut, per previous reports in The Post and Courier and online speculation.

Look for Jon Sligh of Verdeville, the 26-year-old brother of curlicued chubster Chris Sligh, a finalist last season. Shane Clark, a blind musician from Moncks Corner, also advanced. Same for 25-year-old Lynn Stafford of West Ashley.

The list will be winnowed to 24 contestants on Feb. 13. The top 12 guys will perform Feb. 19, the top 12 ladies on Feb. 20.

The overall top 12 take the stage March 11, with the first contestant eliminated the next day.

Not in the competition: Boone Hall Plantation, already a huge winner thanks to the imminent exposure from the ratings juggernaut.

"It's one of those things you can hardly believe," says Boone Hall marketing director Rick Benthall.

Boone Hall and Benthall pursued the program, quickly impressing "Idol's" field team upon its first visit. The antebellum plantation, its slave quarters, verdant gardens and towering live oaks seemed the perfect backdrop. Benthall says the setting also impressed Seacrest.

"The first thing, he looked at the Avenue of Oaks and said, 'Wow,' " Benthall remembers. "He seemed to be a very genuine and real guy, asking questions about the plantation."

Plantation owner Willie McRae offered his boat, allowing "Idol" to shoot additional footage on the Wando River. "Idol's" field crew also enjoyed homemade ice cream, fudge and chicken salad courtesy of Ray Bee, snack bar manager at Boone Hall Farms.

They left town with a box of tomatoes, bread, mayonnaise.

"They never had 'mater sandwiches before," Benthall says, laughing. "Basically, they told us that was the best they had ever been treated."

'Idol' schedule

The Fox show is broadcast locally on WTAT.

-- Jan. 22-23, 29-30, Feb. 5-6: National auditions continue. Charleston will be Jan. 23.

-- Feb. 12 (8-10 p.m.): Hollywood round, Part One.

-- Feb. 13 (8-9 p.m.): Hollywood round, Part Two. Top 24 revealed.

-- Feb. 19 (8-10 p.m.): Top 12 men perform.

-- Feb. 20 (8-10 p.m.): Top 12 women perform.

-- Feb. 21 (8-9 p.m.): First live results show; two men and two women leave.

-- Feb. 26 (8-9:30 p.m.): Top 10 male vocalists perform.

-- Feb. 27 (8-9:30 p.m.): Top 10 female vocalists perform.

-- Feb. 28 (8-9 p.m.): Two men and two women eliminated.

-- March 4 (8-9 p.m.): Top eight male vocalists perform.

-- March 5 (9-10 p.m.): Top eight female vocalists perform.

-- March 6 (8-9 p.m.): Top 12 finalists revealed.

-- March 11 (8-10 p.m.): Finalists' first performance show.

-- March 12 (9-9:30 p.m.): First finalist voted off.

Reach Rob Young at 937-5518 and ryoung@postandcourier.com.