Best friends Amber Lynn and James Gray Dawson (the 8th) came down from Utah to sing for the judges. Amber chose “Unaware” by Allen Stone. I finally got goosebumps. That’s all that I need. The Philadelphia auditions for me were lacking of goosebumps. Harry said she is talented. He gave a critique to James that he was rushing the song. He needs to give her the foundation. Jennifer thought she had a lot of soul. She likes her whole vibe. Keith said he liked that she was in her own world. James VIII was also singing. He picked John Legend “Sun Comes Up.” You could tell he was nervous because his cheeks were getting all red. I didn’t get goosebumps, but I LOVE his voice. Harry said it was refreshing to see people who were born to do this. Keith likes his groove. They both receive tickets to Hollywood.
Can Emily Wears sing as well as she auctions (and whoa—can she do that well)? She takes it down a notch singing “Bring on the Rain” by Jo Dee Messina. Sometimes she was just under the note. It was a pretty tone, but I don’t think she has enough though to make it to Hollywood. Harry said her singing needs a bit of work. Jennifer thought the voice was sweet but it was missing things that would make it whole and complete. Keith said the pitch was drifting everywhere. She said she was really nervous (oh man my heart feels for her). She does not get to go to Hollywood.
CJ (stands for Chris Johnson) is a professional musician from Memphis. He decides on a Hall and Oates song “You Make My Dreams.” I really like him. He has a great look and a nice sound. No goosebumps, but I’m hopeful. The judges sing some background vocals for it. Keith and Jennifer thought he sounded good. Harry thought it was cool. He gets a ticket to Hollywood.
Ethan Kuntz is quite an accomplished young man for 15 years of age. He trains hunting dogs as part of his family hunting breeding kennel business. He also is lead guitarist and singer in a blues band. He chose “Stormy Monday” by the Allman Brothers. He is an interesting kid. I like what he was doing. I think he would get eaten alive during Hollywood Week, but I am not sure he is quite 100% ready yet. Keith did not expect that voice and has mixed reactions. Jennifer thought he was a natural. Harry has no doubt in his mind that he is supposed to do this, and advises him not to doing anything else with the rest. That being said, however, it would be very difficult for him to get around the wide range of repertoire that American Idol requires of him. Harry does not think he is ready. Jennifer thinks he is. Keith is in the middle. He doesn’t think he is ready, but he thinks his voice is so good and gives him the yes.
Horse trainer Mary Williams wanted to sing old-time country for the judges. She chose Tammy Wynette’s “Until I Can Make It on My Own.” She surprised me. I didn’t expect that she was going to do well based on how she was being presented in the packet. I hate country music, but I love her voice. No goosebumps, but close. Jennifer had goosies on her leg. Keith was missing the feeling so it was more of something being performed than something being confessed. Harry thought the performance was a little bit clinical, but she gets a yes from him and Jennifer. Keith didn’t say anything since it didn’t matter, but she did press him for a yes or a no, and he said he would have been a no.
Xavier Soller is the end-game host for the Denver Nuggets had a warm up for the judges and Jennifer was the only one who got the basketball. He sang Garth Brooks “Friends in Low Places.” The singing was not terrible, but it was more of a hobby kind of singing. Jennifer and Keith both said no so there is no ticket.
Terrian Bass would like to make a statement to the world that you can be surrounded by misery but still find the good. She chose appropriately “Happy” by Pharrell. I felt badly for her. She has a nice voice, went off pitch quite a bit, and the energy was dragging in the song. Harry and Jennifer like her. Three yes votes.
Her name is Leann “Blue” McIsaac and has the blue hair to match. She is a self-described singing nomad. She specializes in coming up with songs for people on the spot. She planned to do that for the judges. Harry thought it sounded like a Jewish prayer song. Harry doesn’t think singing is for her but that shouldn’t take the wind out of her sails. Jennifer does not think American Idol is the right lane for her. Keith said no to the suitability for Idol.
Thomas Stringfellow’s parents takes in foster children and he would like to be an example to them to follow their dream no matter where it takes you. He chose “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran. Wow I did not expect that voice to come out of that young man. He is so unique. I got goosebumps. Yes, yes, yes from me. Harry admired him changing it up. Keith likes his vibe and liked that he changed it up. Jennifer said it was pleasing to her ear and a lot that was saying artist. Yes votes all around. I hope he makes it to the top 10.
Tywan “Tank” Jackson was up to 400 pounds and decided to take charge of his health. He has lost 60 pounds doing Zumba and then developed his own exercise routines that he calls Tankercise. He entertained the judges with his dancing, but then refocused and sang his audition song “Superstar” by Luther Vandross. He should have ditched the dancing before the singing audition because he was out of breath for the music. He has a nice voice (except for a bit of improvisation in the middle). Jennifer said he was one of his favorites. Harry asked if he knew Rev James Moore. His ability to dance, sing and entertain are powerful weapons in this competition. All three judges say yes.
John Wayne Schulz auditioned in season 10. He is part of the Marine Corps and is a flight instructor. In season 10 it had come down to him and Scotty McCreery making it through and they picked Scotty who went on to win that year. He was glad it happened because his mother’s cancer had returned and he was able to spend those last months with her before she died. He sang “The Dance” by Garth Brooks and with the story of what happened with his mom made me cry. Keith said it was refreshing not to hear a cover of Garth. Jennifer was enjoying listening to him. Harry thought it was the perfect, succinct performance. He is through to Hollywood.
Leah Harbert taught herself to sing with Britney Spears. She decides to tackle “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin. Jennifer looked like she was bracing herself for a massacre of the song. Frankly so was I. And it lived up to my expectations. Her vibrato and her effective nature of her voice were annoying me greatly. Harry suggested that she work with a vocal coach. It was a definite no. In the post interview she blamed a cold and her voice cracking on the reason why she didn’t make it.
Jordyn Simone chose “Who’s Lovin’ You” by the Jackson 5 to audition. I WISH I could sing like that at 15. WOW! I got goosebumps at the end of the song. She was born to sing. Jennifer is speechless. Harry said she showed them a complete set of skills. Jennifer said there was something special there. Keith said she had something unique. She is through to the next round.
The next group is a montage of female singers which included Kassy Levels (who Keith said there are people who want to be a singer and who just are and she belongs to the latter group); Rhea Raj is a 15-year-old student in Princeton, NJ (Jennifer liked the breathy quality of her voice). Both are moving to the next round in Hollywood.
Jake Dillon is hoping to leave his plumber apprenticeship behind and open a path to a music-making dream. He chose “Danny’s Song” by Kenny Loggins (one of my favorites of all time). I like his voice a lot. Keith and Jennifer were mouthing the words along with him. Harry thought it was good but good isn’t going to cut it for them. They are looking for spectacular and he didn’t see it in that performance. Keith likes him as a guy. He is worried that he is going to get killed out there in Hollywood. He can see the fire in him and he sees that. Harry is a no, Jennifer is a yes, and Keith is a yes.
The next contestant’s full name is a mouthful: Ashley Lillinoemaineleipuananiokaloni Adams-Soderbegh. She chooses “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles. Oh yes. I love her. She is unique. Jennifer said there were a few things she liked but she wanted a little bit more of output from her soul. Harry said she is interesting but she doesn’t fit in anywhere. He likes that sort of mystery there. Keith said he liked it. Harry and Keith say yes; Jennifer says no.
The next contestant is either brave or stupid in choosing an Adele song, “Make You Feel My Love.” He was born in New York but grew up in Moscow. Andrew Nazarbekian started singing and captured my attention right away. Goosebumps!!!! Oh my God. He is awesome. Harry said the best part of that is that he came in here and sang. He receives three yes votes.
Elvie Shane is the next contestant. He chose “House of the Rising Sun” by Animal. He is incredible. I had goosebumps throughout the song. Harry said he has this quality about him that he is about the music first. Jennifer thought he had a spectacular voice. It cuts through the whole entire room. Keith loves that he loves to do this and it is contagious. He gets the yes vote from all three.
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