CHEVY CHASE, Md. – The next Dolly Parton or Jennifer Nettles could be found in the latest crop of current and past members of 4-H hoping to sing their way onto the stage of the popular television competition, American Idol.

4-H members nationwide have until 3 p.m. (EST) Oct. 6 to register for the 2nd annual 4-H Audition Day.

The auditions, hosted by the long-running American Idol program, will be held virtually also on Oct. 6.

Parton and Nettles, along with Reba McIntire and American Idol judge Luke Bryan, are among the 4-H alumni over the years finding fame and fortune in country music.

The auditions are a way of mining deeper into the 4-H talent pool following the success of Willie Spence on the program in 2021.

The now 23-year-old Georgia native, whose experience in 4-H involved the performing arts, was an American Idol first runner-up in 2021.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating again with American Idol to open doors for 4-H’ers in pursuit of music careers,” said Ivan Heredia, senior vice president and chief marketing officer with the National 4-H Council.

Audition Day participants must be active members or alumni ages 15 go 28.

Bo Ryles, another member of the 4-H National Council, said there have been past 4-H members who advanced past the first round of the competition, but Spence reached new heights and turned heads with his performance.

Producers of the show worked primarily with Heredia and Ryles  who both have a performing arts background, in creating audition day.

Ryles said about 400 members of 4-H took part in last year’s inaugural virtual tryouts nationwide. All of the auditions were performed in one day on Zoom.

“There’s a lot of great talent within our 4-H clubs across the country and I think a lot of people don’t necessarily know that 4-H has strong performing arts programs.”

Julia Majors, a spokesperson for the council, said, “This is really an opportunity for us to showcase our strong performing arts programs and also kind of open doors to musical careers for young people.”

4-H is widely known for programs related to agriculture but performing arts is among the many other activities offered to youth, who develop leadership and other life skills along the way.

Ryles, a member of the National 4-H Hall of Fame, recalled playing the piano as a 4-H project in the 5th grade. He’s been director at Clovers & Company, a musical organization in his home state of Georgia, for 42-years.

The volunteer organization performs high energy shows for 4-H events, civic groups, state conventions and national conventions.

Its cast of singers, dancers, instrumentalists and stagehands include 4-H members.

Nettles and country music star Callista Clark performed with the group during their tenure in 4-H.

Ryles said 4-H groups in most, if not all, states have some form of the arts in their programming.

“It gives young people the opportunity to bring those talents and skills to 4-H as well,” he said.

To register for audition day, visit https://bit.ly/4HDAY. Further information on eligibility requirements and submission forms are available at www.americanidol.com/auditions.