MARK WAITE / PVT Holly Hernandez starts looking through a stack of applications for the "Idol" show in her office at Dragon Cloud Do Jo. Advertisement

Contestants in this "Idol" competition won't have to worry about a sharp rebuke from judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell in front of a nationwide television audience, like those on the enormously popular television show "American Idol."

Those competing won't be informed if they made the final cut of 10 contestants until Aug. 18, when they will be notified by phone after the first two rounds of auditions, according to Holly Hernandez, producer of a show in Pahrump simply called "Idol."

Those 10 will perform at the Pahrump Fall Festival.

The auditions will take place Saturday, and the following Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dragon Cloud Do Jo, 2160 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite C.

The 10 finalists, however, could fulfill that dream of being spotted by that elusive talent scout who will lead them to the big time. Judges at the Pahrump Fall Festival will include representatives from the entertainment, music and performance industry, Hernandez said. In addition, there will be a celebrity judge each of the three days of the final competition at the Fall Festival.

Hernandez wouldn't say who the celebrity judges will be. "One is from a record label out of San Francisco. One is the owner of an entertainment company from Las Vegas, and another used to be a recording artist with Disney."

Contestants may not be able to complete the song they are performing for the judging, under the rules. Backup music has to be on a compact disc, for someone who wants to sing karaoke. The lyrics should be "G" rated.

A dressing room won't be available on site; performers should come dressed for their show. No drug, alcohol or tobacco logos will be allowed on clothes. The audition fee is $20.

"It's just Idol. I didn't want it to be confused with American Idol," Hernandez said. "It's not just for the area. We're looking all over California, Nevada. You do not need to be a citizen of Pahrump."

Hernandez said she has only lived in Pahrump for two years. She said she has put on talent showcases in Northern California for 15 years and worked for Radio Disney for the past six years.

The phone has been ringing off the hook with interested contestants since she started advertising the event, Hernandez said.

"I also had calls from people from Las Vegas that participated in the American Idol contest who are looking forward to auditioning," Hernandez said.

Actually 20 contestants will go on to compete at the Fall Festival, since there will be the top 10 chosen from the youth division, ages five to 16, and the adult division, ages 17 and over.

"Idol" finalists will perform at the Pahrump Fall Festival at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29; the top eight will then compete again at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, and the final five, will take the stage Sunday, Oct. 1, the final day of the Pahrump Fall Festival. At the festival the finalists will receive comments on their show from the judges after their performance, but even then it won't be publicly degrading like on TV.

"We're not going to verbally critique but they will receive their audition sheets. The judges will give them their criticism and how to improve their performance," Hernandez said.

As for the preliminary auditions at Dragon Cloud Do Jo, she said, "All they're going to do is come in for a minute and a half, show me their best stuff."

Hernandez had a few pointers for those coming for auditions.

Contestants might think of "American Idol" in preparing their song, Hernandez said. The winner of that show, Taylor Hicks, has an original sound and deserved to win, she said.