American Idol 7.1
Here we go America. This is American Idol!
It’s Hollywood week and we have 164 contestants that need to be whittled down to the Top 50 by the end of tonite’s episode. I’m not much for watching the few weeks of auditions across America. I wait for the last episode before Hollywood week to see the worse that the auditions had to offer.
Tonite we see a slight change in format that in previous years. 164 contestants will take the stage and for the first time, they will be able to play an instrument while they do their audition. If Randy, Paula and Simon say yes, they can skip to the final round to make the cuts for the Top 50. If however, they say no, they get a second chance, but after that it’s sayonara.
Brooke White – the first one..I agree with the judges…she has a Carly Simon way about her.
Leo Marlowe – kinda cute….the judges didn’t like him. I didn’t like him either, but he get’s a second chance tomorrow.
Once again, American Idol is partnering with Ford Motor Company. Go Focus!
20 year old Jake Mellema from sand lake, MI – cute as a button. He took a chance and sang while behind a drum set. He said he was more comfortable with them there. His song choice of “Hooked on a feeling” made the judges queezy.
David Hernandez – didn’t like his audition…. tonite – too many flourishes in the song, very soulful, but I felt it was too gay karaoke night at Freddies in Arlington, VA. (smile). He has potential, he has some stage presence, but he’s a bit awkward, but think he’ll make it thru Day 1.
Rock n Roll Nurse Amanda Overmyer from Indiana. She is singing the Doors. She’s interesting. I like the raspiness of her voice. I’m not sure rock is her thing, I’d like to see her to jazz. Zbut she rocked tonite.
Oh my….Ghaleb. What can I say about him. ewwww.
I think he’s trying to sing Bryan Adams. It was awful. Sorry dude.
Josiah – this is the dude who sings with a British accent, but is not from England! It’s funny.
Little twinky Danny Noriega and Ramiele Malubay – two Filipino singers – I like Ramiele, Danny was too gay.
Holly Smithson was awesome.
[Commercial Break] Jack Black in Kung Fu Panda – I’m not much into animated features…but I think I’m going to like this one! 
David Cook from Missouri – doing Bryan Adams… its much better than the last Bryan Adams auditioner. Good tone, but it feels like the song is dragging. Plus you do something funny with your face. The blue tongue is distracting! Pick up the pace bro.
Looks like Bryan Adams was the favorite one the auditions. I BET you he will show up sometime during the season.
Kyle Ensley – oh no bro. So Karaoke. You might be President one day, but not an American Idol! Kyle was the last of the 164 to go thru Round 1.
48 out of 164 got a free pass to the final of Round 1. All the rest have a 2nd chance. If they don’t make it here, they are outta here.
The next set of cuts is brutal. 10 at a time they line up on stage and sing acapella. Out of the first 40, only 4 made it thru. The next 76 will only tell.
Well that’s it. Over 100 contestants were sent home. Now the final round and the cuts to the Top 50.
So what can I say about David Archuleta. He’s a 16 year old with a great talking voice. Such a bright smile, great outlook on life. Oh to be young again. Dude…Bryan Adams??? Lord. Good interpretation of the song. He’s awesome!
President Kyle sang Josh Groban, it was was ok. Nothing great, but it wasn’t “bad” per se. Kyle made it thru.
It’s joyful Jeffrey. Ok…buddy…Disney song. You know how I feel about the song “A Whole New World…”. Girl….that was awful! Bye Jeffery.
Michael Johns version of Bohemian Rhapsody was nice. He seems to stretch it there, but I think he made it thru.
Holly Smithson – I like her with her tone in the lower range. Good control and tone. There is a bit of yelling going on. But it was a good performance.
Asia’h Epperson – watch out for her. She has a slow, smoky voice that will come up behind you and surprise you with joy.
Brooke Helve. She was one of the first from the 1st round. HOw will she do in this final round? I don’t like this version. It was just barely passable. Ooooh…watch the high note. Don’t push the judges. You’re out of here.
Josiah broke down. He couldn’t find a song that he could sing. He complained that he couldn’t work with a band. He went to bed without a full rehearsal. Can he do it. He is singing Stand By Me. Oh no. Josiah….I don;t think you did it. That was horrible. You should have listened to the voice coaches. I think you didn’t make it. So sad. Dude….WORK with the band. Miraculously you made it thru. YOU are sooooo lucky!! You don’t even know how lucky you are.
My FAVORITES of the nite?
Asia’h Epperson and David Archuleta.
Here is an except from David’s audition from a few weeks back
Here is last night’s performance:
