Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The number of golden ticket recipients from each American Idol audition city far exceed the number of contestants we meet on the show.

Here are some of the talented male singers we didn’t meet during the Long Beach audition episode.

I’ve included a blurb on each with information gleaned from their Road to Hollywood videos on americanidol.com.

In cases where a video of them singing or performing could be located, I’ve also included that.

If you know of existing YouTube videos for a contestant who doesn’t have one below, simply let me know and I’ll add it.

And to hear more from American Idol’s other Hollywood bound contestants, head here.

Alex Hobbs

From Burbank, Calif., Alex describes himself as a singer-songwriter who’s been performing his own music in coffee shops around the L.A. area. He says John Mayer was his inspiration to pursue a career as a singer. “Music is my life,” he says, “and this (American Idol) is a really great platform.” All that said, he dedicated his audition to his grandmother. When he was born, Alex says he had a hole in his heart. His grandmother gathered everyone around and they started praying. “Just before the surgery, it had closed just enough that they didn’t have to do open heart surgery, which was a risky procedure at the time,” he says. Alex’s favorite former Idol contestant: Kelly Clarkson.

“Die in Your Arms”
For more music from Alex, head here.

Blair Perkins

Asked about his inspirations, this young man from Long Beach, Calif., launches into a list of R&B greats including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Usher and Beyonce. “Seeing all my favorite signers on TV, performing, doing what they love, and writing songs … that’s what inspired me,” Blair says. And he thinks his passion for R&B music is one thing that will set him apart, along with his ability to “stay true to what R&B was and is.” He adds: “I feel I have what it takes to really break into the industry and really do something big.” His favorite past Idols are Elliott Yamin and Paris Bennett.

“1+1”
For more music from Blair, head here.

Brett Patterson

We didn’t see his audition, but you get the sense Brett brought a touch of country to the auditions aboard the Queen Mary. He lists Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood as his inspirations. In fact, he’d been to a Carrie concert just three weeks before his audition. “And that voice is like an angel. It’s incredible,” says the young man from Folsom, Calif. What sets him apart? Brett thinks he can write and co-write music people can connect to. After all, the idols he’s looked up to are those who perform music he finds a connection with. Then there’s this: “I feel like I don’t take myself too seriously, but I also am confident in my biggest abilities that I have. I think people can connect with that.”

“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
For more from Brett, head here.

Bryant Tadeo

Bryant is one of a number of Idol contestants returning for a second try on the show in Season 12. After all, how could he not try out with one of his own idols — Mariah Carey — now at the judges’ table? “This is a second chance for me to just pour out my heart on the stage,” says the gent from Hilo, Hawaii. Bryant says his family has always encouraged him to pursue his interest in music, so they’re an inspiration as well. His favorite past Idol is Adam Lambert. “I think people get inspired by others who chase what they want, no strings attached. I think that could be me. I think people will see that through the camera.”

“Drift Away”
For more from Bryant, head here.

Cedrick Austin

This gent from Chatsworth, Calif., says he was initially inspired musically by John Mayer. “I thought that would be my niche,” Cedrick says. “Then I realized I could go bigger and do better things. So I started listening to Florence and the Machine and Artic Monkey, people that really just stretch their talents.” Now he thinks he’s ready to show American Idol fans something new. “A black guy who sings rock, basically,” he says. “Someone who doesn’t play by the rules.” When he performs, Cedrick says he’s determined that members of the audience are going to leave having had a good time and with smiles on their faces. His favorite past contestant is Haley Reinhart for showing “so much heart” when she performed.

No video located.

Colin Pittman

We didn’t get to watch his audition, but it sounds as though this young man from Abilene, Texas, was one of the contestants nominated by a relative — his dad in this case. Colin says he grew up around a family of singers and it’s something he always wanted to do. He thinks his “heart” will help set him apart on Idol. “I’ve dealt with a lot of things in the past, and it’s come out in my singing to where I can tell a story. Hopefully, others can hear the story and it will touch someone … My main goal is to help as many people as I can.” His favorite past contestant is Danny Gokey, the third-place finisher from Season 8.

“When You Believe”
For more from Colin, head here.

Darien Moses

Darien says he’s been singing all his life, but admits he didn’t take it very seriously until a couple of years ago. Since then, he says he’s been fortunate enough to play for some pretty large audiences. “The rush and the energy you get during the stage performances helped me to realize I’ve never felt like this before and this is exactly where I want to be,” says the guy from Boyton Beach, Fla. One key to success: He said he selects songs with lyrics he can connect with so he can pour his heart into his performances. His favorite past Idol contestant is Joshua Ledet. “He could sing anything. He made (his numbers) sound good, but he also made them his own.”

“I Can’t Make You Love Me”
For more from Darien, head here.

Devyn Prynce

He’s from Bridgewater, N.J., and says his inspiration is his mother. “I’ve been watching her sing since I was a little kid,” Devyn says. “She’s such a talented woman, and she’s great on camera and in front of people. She’s pretty much my role model.” As for his music, Devyn says he has a unique voice capable of singing rock, R&B and pop. “I feel like they haven’t had an artist with my kind of tone and voice and look in the last couple seasons.” He also writes music and says he loves to change up songs to make them fit his style. His favorite past Idol: Adam Lambert because “he could sing the worst song on earth” and the audience would “still be captivated,” Devyn says.

No video located.