American Idol - YEEHAW!

Kim Reis

Sorry bloggers!  I haven’t blogged in awhile.  Lots of things going on - including dealing with RI Unemployment to help my hubby.

Anyway - Tonight was “country night” on Idol.  Lovin’ the country!  YEEHAW!  Randy Travis was the menotr.  boooorrrring guy.  Talented, but booooring!

P.S. One of my co-workers (Phil Retamoza) sent me a link that said some American Idol employee has picked the top four.  I refused to click on the link because I didn’t want it to influence me.

First up - Michael Sarver.  He sang Garth Brooks, “Aint Going Down Til the Sun Comes Up”.  Fast song, lots of lyrics.  He did a good job.  Sounded like the original.  Nothing jumped out as “OMG!“  But I think he’ll pass right on through.

While waiting for the next Idol to prepare for her time to sing - it made me think of Coffey Andersen.  Remember him from “Nashville Star” last season?  Anyway - I’m one of his fans on Facebook and he updated his status saying he was “tired”.  YAHOO!  That means he’s been busy.  I hope he does OK.  I sent an email to Cat Country (WCTK in Providence) to ask them to play some of his songs.  Some good stuff!!  Southern Man - way cool!

Next up - Allison Iraheta.  Weird last name.  She’s gotta do something about that.  I think she’ll be in the top 2 for sure.  16 years old and WAAAAY beyond her years vocally.  WOWZA!  I don’t think it was her best performance, but she’ll sail through.  And, if she ends up in the bottom, the judges will save her with their new “one-time” rule.  Simon hates country week - HA!  Too bad.  All of the judges loved her except Simon who faked a criticism - but he will hate everyone during country week.  He’s such a dud sometimes. 

Third singer - Kris Allen.  A ballad.  Slow song.  Those types of songs really allow us to hear the vocals without the pizzaz of the fast-paced music.  I think it worked.  Garth Brooks, love that artist.  “To Make You Feel My Love”.  My husband grabbed my hand and we danced in the bedroom.  Corny.  I know.  But it was a nice song.  Paula rambled, as usual.  Not sure what the heck she said.  Simon said it was “terrific”.  WOW!  Stand back.  Did he just give a compliment????!!!  I’m SHAWKED (said like an English man).

We’re down to the top 11.  The person voted off this week doesn’t get to go on tour with the rest of the group.  OUCH!  They are fighting for survival this week for sure.

Fourth in line - Lil Rounds sang “Independence Day” by Martina McBride.  She belted “LET FREEDOM RING, LET THE WIDE DOVES SING!“  She did a very nice job.  Strong voice.  As a country fan, she rocked it out (as Randy would say DAWG).  I’m reserving my predictions for the end, but I think she’s going to go through.  Randy and Simon were rough on her and I’m not sure why.  Whenever Randy speaks first, I almost feel like he forces himself to criticize so he can keep up with Simon.

Next up - Adam Lambert.  At the beginning of the song, all I could say was WHAT THE HECK IS THIS????  Then I realized he was singing “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash sung like a gothic freak.  I didn’t like it and, as a country fan, I was almost offended.  I don’t think he did himself any favors.  At this point in the 120 minutes, I’m feeling like he’s going home, home, home instead of down, down, down in the ring fire.  The two female judges liked it - ICK!  I’ll reserve my final decision until the end - but I do think country fans will hate that.

Sixth singer - Scott MacIntyre.  Most known as “the blind guy”.  I hope and pray he does well.  Randy Travis said he was very impressed during rehearsal.  He had his piano which helped him - the judges called his piano a “crutch”.  Harsh!  “Wild Angels” was the song by Martina McBride.  I think he did OK.  I hope America puts him through because I really like him.  I don’t think he’ll make it to the end, but I think he’ll do OK.  Nice guy, good voice, talented piano player.  Come on judges, give him a break.  The beginning was rather rough, but he rocked the house at the end.  They compared his piano connection to Elton John and Billy Joel.  Simon didn’t think he picked the right song.

Half way through the batch.

Next up, Alexis Grace and she sang “Jolene”.  The song matched her pink strips in her hair and had a rock flare.  She needs to sing rock songs in order to show her real talents.  She’ll be in the top 4.  She’s HOT!  Crisp, strong, talented.  Great job!  As I sit and wonder what the judges will say, I can’t imagine they will bust her up.  And then Randy (who went first) felt the need to tear her up.  JERK!  Everytime Randy goes first, he tries to be Randy.  Give me a break.  She sounded just fine.  She’ll sail through just fine.  They are trying to make her nervous and I felt bad for her.  She looked so sad.  UGH!  She sounded edgy and her vocals were strong.  Simon gave her a compliment. THANK GOODNESS!  Simon’s comments usually impact votes.

My little E*Trade baby commercial came up.  SO CUTE!  I usually fast forward through all commercials.  But when I see my E*Trade talking baby, I crack up.  I rewinded my TiVo to watch the new one with a golf theme.  Not the best version, but cute.

Number 8 - Danny Gokey. He sang Carrie Underwood “Jesus Take the Wheel”.  He’s favored to win and I like him a lot.  But I don’t think he picked the right song.  He did OK and I think he’ll go through.  If he doesn’t, the judges will save him.  But It wasn’t the best performence for Mr. Gokey.  I love his story (wife died, went to audition anyway, she is watching over him, yadda yadda).  So adorable.  And I truly think she is watching over him.  I believe in that stuff.

Side story - my dad died.  Before he died, on his death bed, he said he would send us a sign to tell us he was OK in heaven.  He said he would put $10 in the dryer.  We laughed.  This morning, my husband found two $5 dollar bills in the dryer and NO ONE in our house remember leaving those bills in our pockets.  He died 4 years ago January 25th.  Is it a sign?  I don’t know.  But we all have to believe.  And I think Danny Gokey’s wife is watching out for him.  I think he’s going to go far and he’ll bei n the top two.  Simon couldn’t criticize his singing, so he criticized his clothing.  Weird.

Next up - Anoop!!  This year’s version of Sanjaya.  Weird hair.  Weird guy.  (Sanjaya I mean).  Anoop.  Should go home.  He sang Willie Nelson, “You’re Always on My Mind.“  The crowd cheered.  I yawned.  So far, he should go through.  I can’t find anyone who totally sucked yet.  UGH!  My guess at the end is going to be hard.  The judges loved him (of course).  He brings ratings.  Not sure why.  But he does.  Simon said that he went from “zero to hero”.  CRAP!  He called it the best performance of the night. 

Number 10, the second to last one, Megan Joy.  I’ve liked her from day one because she has such a unique sound.  She picked the right song for her voice, but she’s odd and that means that the voters are going to abandon her.  “I Go Walking After Midnight” was the song.  Randy liked her (and he went first!!)  That’s weird.  He never says good things when he goes first.  Then they said she had the flu and sang anyway.  WHAT???!!!  The FLU!!!  She was in the hospital.  WOW!

Number 11, Matt Jerrod, the last one.  He’s been compared to Justin Timberlake.  Very talented guy.  He’s clear and he’ll make it to the top 5 or 6.  He’s a talented guy.  This year, every singer is strong.  It’s going to be a tough decision.  He sang a ballad behind the piano and he picked the right song for sure.  “Sure makes everything seem so small”, Carrie Underwood.  He’s been running under the radar and Simon said he “outsang Danny Gokey”.  WOW!  He said that he reminded him of Michael Buble.  Holy moly!  Good for him!!!! 

OK - so after hearing all 11 singers.  I say that Adam Lambert and Megan Joy will be in the bottom two.  Adam Lambert will go home.  Back to his casa.  But he has a huge future on Broadway!!!  And, the reason I say that is because I think Megan will get the sympathy card because of her flu symptoms. 

Time for bed.  Be well bloggers!  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.