By Tiffany Bird
People from all over the country put on their singing voices for another television audition, but this time it''s not 'American Idols' - it''s 'The Partridge Family.'
'In Search of the Partridge Family' is VH1''s new star-search reality show where the audience votes who stays and who goes each Sunday night beginning Sept. 12.
VH1''s 'In Search of the Partridge Family' looked nationwide for people to play the part of Keith, Laurie, Danny and Shirley Partridge.
The cattle calls attracted thousands of actors, professional or amateur, and with the help of four judges, they narrowed it down to just eight finalists for each part.
There will be an episode for each character part that the eight finalists will compete for. The winners for each episode will be on the pilot show, 'The Partridge Family,' that is still in the planning stage.
Unlike the original 'Partridge Family,' these cast members have to be able to do the real thing: Have the look, the voice and acting talents.
A BYU graduate, Rachel Kimsey is getting her chance to grab a seat on the colorful Partridge bus and sing, 'Hello world, here''s a song that we''re singing...'
'I''m a little young for the original ''Partridge Family,'' but I''m a fan of the bus,' Kimsey said, 26, a Sandy resident, graduated in acting.
Kimsey, an actress and stunt double, moved to Los Angeles to try and make her way into Hollywood. This summer she snatched the role of stunt double in 'Spider Man 2' for Kirsten Dunst.
She learned about the audition when her manager, Justin Evans, told her about the try-outs for the part of Laurie.
'We thought she would be a great Laurie,' Evans said. 'She''s a superb actor and she kind of fits the part. She looks like Laurie.'
The part of Laurie is a tough one to fulfill.
'Not only are we looking for someone who can sing, but also someone who is going to be America''s sweetheart,' Tim Palmer said on the audition special. He is one of the four judges.
At the first audition, Kimsey had to sing a hit song from the days of 'Partridge Family' and act out a scene.
During the call back, Kimsey had to act out one of two scenes from original shows and sing another classic hit song, she chose 'Joy to the World' by Three Dog Night.
'They called about a week and half later to let me know that I was going to be one of the eight finalists,' Kimsey said.
But the audition didn''t stop there.
The eight finalists are the ones who will start the six-series show, 'In Search of the Partridge Family,' beginning with 'Battle of the Keiths' this Sunday and then 'Battle of the Lauries' next Sunday.
Kimsey''s family got together last Sunday to watch the 'Audition Special' of 'In Search of the Partridge Family' with Rachel.
Lauren Kimsey, Rachel''s sister, said it was a surreal experience for their parents see Rachel try out for a show they grew up watching.
'Seeing the rest of the competition it''s like she''s got a shot because she''s so talented,' Lauren said. 'We are so excited because it is a character that we would like to see her in.'
VH1 will show the 'Audition Special' again 5 p.m. Friday.