Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol’s Top 14, from left, Walker Burroughs, Laine Hardy, Laci Kaye Booth, Evelyn Cormier, Alejandro Aranda, Dimitrius Graham, Wade Cota, Ashley Hess, Alyssa Raghu, Uche, Riley Thompson, Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, Madison VanDenburg and Eddie Island. (ABC Photo)

American Idol has certainly rounded up an impressive array of talent in Season 17.

And Idol fans will get their first chance t vote for their favorites Sunday night.

Seven members of the Top 14 will advance based on fan voting.

Then the judges will select the final three members of the Season 17 Top 10.

You can find all the details on the Sunday and Monday shows here.

The purpose of this blog: Ranking that very talented Top 14.

So here goes … Agree? Disagree? Let me know by commenting below!

1. Laci Kaye Booth, 23, Livingston, Tx.: Singing shows dream of a raw talent with a signature sound, marketability, likeability and a touch of star power. Idol has found all of that in this sultry-voiced Texan.

2. Uche, 24, Sugar Land, Tx.: On his website, Uche writes: “No apologies, I go hard every freaking time.” He’s proven that already. Season 17’s best performer, and he’s displayed impressive vocals too.

3. Alejandro Aranda, 24, Pomona, Calif.: Millions of YouTube viewers can’t be wrong, right? I mean, this guy has produced the most viewed performance in nearly every round so far.

4. Madison VanDenburg, 17, Cohoes, N.Y.: I’m not sure she’ll finish this high, but there’s a reason the judges have been calling her the next Kelly Clarkson — the power in those vocals. And she’s only 17.

5. Dimitrius Graham, 27, Baltimore, Md.: He’d already proven he’s one of the best singers on the show. His two Top 20 performances proved he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the live shows.

6. Laine Hardy, 18, Livingston, L.A.: With a social media army and the increased confidence he’s showing on stage, Laine could very well finish higher than this. Will he stick to country song choices or not?

7. Wade Cota, 27, Phoenix, Ariz.: A great back story and a unique sound are his calling cards. But to this point, the judges seem to have more faith in his ability than he does.

8. Alyssa Raghu, 17, Orlando, Fla.: Did you see that reaction when Alyssa made the Top 14? She deserved it. She’s always been a great singer. Now she’s bringing performance skills to match.

9. Riley Thompson, 16, Mabank, Tx.: Speaking of impressive young talents, this 16-year-old served notice of her vocal abilities during that Brett Young duet. It was her best performance yet.

10. Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon, 26, Catonsville, Md.: He’s consistently delivered passionate, pitch-perfect vocals, but I’m still wondering if he had the versatility of some of the singers higher on this list.

11. Ashley Hess, 28, Fremont, Calif.: Based on her performances from Top 20 week, she might very well deserve to be higher on this list. But we didn’t get to see much of her between her audition and that point.

12. Evelyn Cormier, 20, Claremont, N.H.: Loved her cover of “Leaving on a Jet Plane” from Top 20 solo night. Less enthused that she repeated “Wicked Game” on duet night. Katy loves her unique tone.

13. Walker Burroughs, 20, Birminghan, Ala.: His a cappella opening on Top 20 solo night was fabulous. But he’s on an Idol season with lots of fabulous singers. Should he really dress lke Harry Potter. Katy thinks so.

14. Eddie Island, 25, Nashville, Tenn.: He’s the quirky personality among the Season 17 cast and a talented singer no doubt. But I have trouble seeing him advance past Top 14 week unless he delivers a show-stopping performance.