Pbmom's Blog

The next city in the tour is Salt Lake City where 30 talented individuals received a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Radioactive is a really bad song choice with which to audition. Austin Wolfe, a 16-year-old student from Park City, Utah got some of the lyrics wrong. Her voice is nice, but I don’t like the song choice. She is through.

In the first group montage, lumberjack Kylee Adamson, age 18, from Salem, UT has a lovely voice and she is through. Michael Simeon, 19, student, from Lumberton, MS (there is a “lumbar” theme going on here) sings but his voice does not match his face. I loved it. Tessa Norman, a 19-year-old student from Lindon, UT has a pretty smile but an average voice. Jennifer thinks she is going to be a star. Really? I don’t see it.

Samantha Townsend, a 22-year-old nursing assistant from Layton, UT, sounded horrible. Could it get any more nasal? It almost sounds like someone singing with a sinus infection.

I love, love (did I say love) Alex Preston, a 20-year-old student) from Mont Vernon, NH. He sings an original. HE is original. The judges gave him three yeses but they were also impressed with his song.

Fanny-pack Samantha Calmes, is a 25-year-old musical educator, from Hammond, LA. She sings an original song. I am not sure what I make of it. She is interesting. The song sounded more like poetry slam. When Harry asks her to sing something else, she chooses the theme song from The Jefferson’s. I will definitely remember her in Hollywood week.

Next are four contestants from the Idol bus tour. Lebryant Crew, age 24, a real estate manager from El Dorado, AR. He is a minister too. Did he wink at Jennifer or was that Harry? Laurel Wright, age 18, a student from Maryville, TN was next. I loved her quiet voice. They need a folk singer sound in the competition. DJ Bradley, age 20, is unemployed, also from Maryville, TN. He reminds the judges he is not Ed Sheeran (although it does look like him). He is interesting. He is not the best voice in the competition but definitely interesting. I enjoyed the falsetto. He has this quirky vibe and I love quirky. Jennifer is a yes, but what about Harry or Keith? And for a #IdolHollywood or #IdolHome, they ask the audience about Julie Offill. Sixty-seven percent said Hollywood and 33% said home. Keith is a no, but the others are a yes. All the bus tour contestants are through.

Kenzie Hall is a 16-year-old student from Draper, UT. She has a very interesting voice. Three yeses.

Paisley Van Patten is a 25-year-old waitress from Salt Lake City, had a record deal but it crashed because of her addiction. Her fiancé said that if she tried out for American Idol he was not going to remain being engaged. I loved her voice. She receives three yeses.

Emily Rottler was amazing and she is through. She is a 17-year-old student from Salt Lake City.

Dexter Roberts works at “BBFF.” He says it stands for, “Bang, Bang, Flop, Flop” and Keith pipes in “…speaking of Harry’s concerts.” He is a dog trainer, farm hand from Fayette, AL. I liked his voice and he is interesting. Harry thinks it sounded authentic. He gets three yeses.

Ally Roundy is nice, but I did not think she was good enough. Keith thinks this 18-year-old student from Sandy, UT needs a little more time. Jennifer disagrees. Harry said he likes the concept of a diamond in the rough but there was too much rough. She is going home.

Briston Maroney‘s great great grandfather was a recording artist in Nashville. His guitar was passed down and is now Briston’s. But then later he says great grandfather so I think it is more great grandfather. This 15-year-old student from Knoxville, TN has a strange voice but one I would remember. It was very nasal. I am not sure about him–maybe in a few more years. Jennifer said he had a unique voice. Keith says he has a very affected style of singing and is hoping other colors will come out without losing the whole sound. Harry is worried he is going to lose his voice, but he is through to Hollywood.

The next three are in a group. Leia “Fish” Lotulelei, 19, student, Des Moines, WA. I liked the nice falsetto. But we have heard a lot of unique voices. Is his unique enough? Three yeses for him. Sabrina Lentini, 15, student, Tustin, CA has a nice voice. Yes from the judges but she confides that Harry said no. She only needs two. Carson Henline, 16, student, Gunnison, UT, has a powerful but immature voice. It is a no from the judges.

Johnny Newcomb, a 16-year-old student from Tennessee, did a pretty good job. He has an interesting voice although he missed a note or two. Harry thinks Johnny is imitating his idol rather than finding his own. Keith said sometimes people will pull in several elements of different people instead of just one. Jennifer lets him sing one more to get them to change their minds. I would have said yes to him. Jennifer said yes. Harry says no because he does not think he is ready yet. Keith said yes. Jennifer tells him he has to bring the feeling with him to Hollywood. It is not enough just to bring the voice.

Then there is some comic relief between the judges. Harry says if his dentist looked like Jennifer he would eat a box of Oreos just to have her clean his teeth.

Trained in opera, Kimberly Tosti, a 25-year-old marketing coordinator from Park City, UT, gave her best effort. I trained in opera too. It doesn’t mean I could call myself an opera singer. But unfortunately she really cannot sing well. It is a no from all of them.

During a judges’ interview, they wanted to know what was the best advice their parents ever gave. Jennifer said her mother told her “don’t be a baby.” Apparently on her first job she was the only one without a solo. Her mother said, “That’s the business you chose and you better toughen up.”

Carmen Delgina, age 24, is a resale clerk from Las Vegas, NV. Her father is Wonder Mike from the Sugar Hill Gang. It was a bad song choice. I think she has a voice in there but it was sort in and out of different keys by trying to do too many runs. Harry does not think her vocals are strong enough to get her to the end. Jennifer felt she has a God-given voice but it was inconsistent. Keith felt something was disconnecting this beautiful voice with her delivery. Three yeses? I’m shocked. Jennifer thinks she needs to practice.

Next up is Kassandra Castaneda, age 16, a student from Eastvale, CA. Her speaking voice and singing voice are very different. Her uncle gave her his number to give to Jennifer. How funny. I think her voice is better than Carmen but still was average. Harry was not impressed. Jennifer thought it was worthy of going to Hollywood. Keith hears what both Harry and Jennifer are saying and thinks her raw talent could blossom out in Hollywood. He says yes.

Kenneth “Woodie” Gaddie, age 28, substitute teacher, from Maumelle, AR. He has a beautiful voice and is through to Hollywood.

Casey Thrasher is living with his aunt with his two children in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He chooses a song because of an experience he had with Keith. Harry chimes in, “Should we leave?” Keith took a picture with him at the gate of the CMA’s. Keith looks moved that he had that effect but I think Keith is also worried this guy may suck and he would hate that. Jennifer is moved by his emotion. She said it wasn’t 100% perfect but there was feeling and a real voice there. Harry said his drive is strong. Keith said he felt the hunger, drive and desperation to be able to just get a break. Casey gets emotional upon hearing that from him. Three yeses.

At this point, there have been 193 tickets given out, including the 30 given in Salt Lake City.

Last stop: Omaha–Where I lived for 4 years.