MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WSAU) – Thousands converged on Milwaukee’s Bradley Center this morning, hoping to become the next “American Idol.” They registered and picked up wrist-bands – and they’ll return on Wednesday for their auditions.

It’s the 10th season of the annual Fox singing contest, in which the viewers eventually pick a winner after the show’s judges narrow the field to 24.

Milwaukee’s Danny Gokey finished third in the 2009 Idol competition. He’s gone on to be a country music recording artist.

This is the first time Milwaukee will serve as an audition site – and hopefuls from around the country waited in line this morning to sign up.

We’ll see the highlights – and probably the low-lights – of the Wisconsin auditions when Idol returns to Fox next January.