LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville woke up Tuesday with dozens of talented singers from different cities as "American Idol" hopefuls got ready to sing in front of the judges.
"We drove from New Orleans to Memphis, and then came from Memphis to here today," Aria Stiles said.
Adam VanHoose, of Dayton, Ohio, was among the competitors getting ready to perform for Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who arrived on Louisville Fire and Rescue trucks.
VanHoose hoped to make it to the next round by playing "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran. But at the end of the day, he's focused on one goal bigger than music.
"My goal is to put Dayton on the map. A lot of people don't know about Dayton, Ohio, but it's not good," he said, explaining the opioid epidemic is causing many overdoses there.
"My goal is to help spread awareness for all that," VanHoose said. "I have a lot of family and friends that have OD'd and died. It's really emotional for me."
Caleb Lee Hutchinson, the runner-up in last year's season of "Idol," shared some advice for VanHoose and the other contestants.
"Don't be too nervous about it, don't be looking past where you're at," he said. "Just do it every day and enjoy it while it's going on, because when it's over, you miss it."
