Pbmom's Blog

It was a funny start to the Minneapolis, MN auditions with the judges getting locked in their escort vehicle.

Shannon Berthiaume has never sung in front of people before. She is a 17-year-old from St. Paul, MN and chooses “House of the Rising Sun” I love her overall tone but there were some parts that bordered on shouting. Jennifer thought she is a crazy artist in a best and most beautiful way. Keith thinks it is the best raw talent they have seen. Three yeses.

Kemil Casey, a 19-year-old nanny from Buffalo, MN, sang the first notes of “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson and I disliked it. Harry felt it was oddly entertaining. Jennifer felt that he probably has a career in show business just not that one (singing). Keith felt he had a great heart but the vocals aren’t there.

Apparently Harry was so tired he ate a whole bag of kettle corn in his sleep the prior night and doesn’t remember eating it.

Morgan Ovens, age 24, a professional organizer from Venice, CA sang “Hand in My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette. She sounds lovely but nothing stand-out interesting about it. Gabrielle Noe’l is a 23-year-old leasing sales manager from Minneapolis sounded lovely too, but there have been so many unique voices in the competition she would have to do something really stand out in order to make it. Twenty-three-year-old Courtney Guns is a bartender from Bemidji, MN and is a little too nasal for my liking. Yeses for all the ladies.

The next contestant is a hoot. She cried at Keith Urban concerts, saw “Selena” with Jennifer Lopez, and “Hope Floats” with Harry Connick Jr. Keith likes that Vanessa Andrea came well prepared. I love this young lady’s personality. Her husband is active-duty Air Force currently stationed in Minit, North Dakota. Can she sing? SHE CAN!!! She calls her husband (?) on the phone and the judges tell him each their yes vote. And she thinks Keith smells AMAZING.

Zach Johnson, age 20, is a student from Fargo, North Dakota and is one of those people whose talking voice does not match his singing voice. He sings, “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by Keith Whitley. I thought with his silly energy it was going to be a disastrous audition. It was anything but. Keith mentioned if he liked Garth Brooks and he exuberantly said Garth was coming to Minneapolis and he said, “Tickets! Now!” Harry likes him a lot and loves his energy and spirit. Harry gives he some advice–if you don’t talk with a country accent, don’t sing with a country accent because that is not who you are. I don’t know about that. Opera singers don’t necessarily sing in their native tongue. Also how many artists from other countries sound American? Keith says yes because he has a good voice. Jennifer said she would have liked to have heard him sing without the accent. Zach gets a ticket. Keith says that if he comes to his Sioux Falls concert he will let Zach sing with him. True to his word two weeks later he does. Keith is such a generous person.

Aaron Bissell, age 17, from Cedar City. Iowa provided me with me first goosebumps from Minneapolis. Harry jokes around about his coffeehouse experiences where people would tell him to shut up. He goes to Hollywood.

Cindy Jo Scholer is a sportswoman who has killed a bear and also a pre-K teacher from North Branch, MN. This 26-year-old sings “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. Jennifer felt she kept losing the melody of the song in an attempt to show off her singing voice. Keith says lose all this stuff (and he motions to her face and body) and get rid of the theatrics because she has a really good voice. She has talent in the center of her voice. Harry felt like she was yelling. Jennifer is a no. Keith is a yes. Harry says yes.

Just when they were talking about Harry wasn’t going to say no to that girl because she killed a bear last week, in walks the next audition who looks like–a bear. Harry screams, “He’s alive!” The unnamed contestant starts singing but the outcome of his audition is undetermined.

Matt with an unknown last name makes it through to Hollywood.

Jacob Tolliver, age 20, from Portsmouth, Ohio is currently in Vegas as the Jerry Lee Lewis understudy in a show called “Million Dollar Quartet.” He has mad piano skills! His voice was so-so. Harry says Jerry Lee Lewis was already done. Keith adds who are you? Keith wants him to play something else. He tries to sing “Stay with Me” but I don’t like it. Three yeses.

Hannah Mrozak, age 16, Richfield, Wisconsin sings “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” by Etta James. She has a lovely voice. Going to Hollywood!

Kristi Kroker, age 21, a student from La Crosse, WI had a few pretty notes but it went sideways in other places. Jennifer felt like it is more like a high school audition versus an American Idol audition. She leads off a string of “no” responses.

They leave the best for last or at least one with a profound story. Mark Andrew, age 29, is a landscape foreman who just had a baby with his wife. He is a hometown boy and feels this is his last opportunity to get a break in the industry. Goosebumps! He has a Cat Stevens vibe. Keith asks him to sing something else. He oddly chooses “The Monkey Song” from Jungle Book. He gets a ticket to Hollywood.