'American Idol' Season 12 announces small town and online auditions

"American Idol" has announced three new ways to audition for Season 12. The show will embark on the "American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour," a 10-town nationwide tour that will give hopefuls who couldn't make it to one of the large audition cities a chance to try out.

The cities are Idaho Falls, ID; Billings, MT; Casper, WY; Rock Rapids, IA; Iowa City, IA; Bowling Green, KY; Clarksdale, MS; Joplin, MO; Dodge City, KA; and Grand Junction, CO. Specific locations and dates to be announced.

"Idol" is also starting the "Nominate an Idol" program, which will let friends and family of individuals they think could be the net American Idol nominate said person in secret by filling out an online form and existing video or URL of their nominee -- they must be singing solo and a capella. The chosen auditions will then be surprised on location by a film crew and given an opportunity to advance to the next round.

Finally, online auditions for Season 12 will be open from Wednesday, Aug. 1 through Tuesday, Aug. 14. Keep checking www. americanidol.com for submission rules and terms and conditions for all of the new ways to audition for "American Idol."