Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Last night, we met seven Hollywood bound contestants on American Idol.

Tonight, we should meet at least twice that many during a two-hour audition episode split between Nashville and Kansas City.

For a closer look at the first-night contestants, follow these links: Michael Simeon, Emily Brooke or Priscilla Barker.

I’ll be posting more contestant profiles soon.

Now, it’s time to meet more singers … that is after Jennifer Lopez takes pot shots at The Voice, which is undoubtedly the best singing show on TV in spite of anything she says.

Hey, Jennifer, when you find a cast as deep as The Voice does season in and season out, then you can talk about gimmicks.

Andrew Annello, 22, actor, Springville, Ala.: Andrew says he’s been waiting his whole life for this moment. And he’s a guy full of energy, that’s for sure. In fact, he vows to bring back the energy. He’ll sing Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” And he launches into a performance filled with antics that was over-the-top. Harry calls it silly and asks Andrew to sing something seriously. He does, sounds great, and gets three yes votes to advance to Hollywood. And then Andrew gets his mom an introduction to Harry Connick Jr.

Loren Lotts, 21, actress, San Diego: She says she’s been wanting to do this audition since she was 16. She’s going to sing “Treasure” by Bruno Mars. Here’s another auditioner full of personality. Idol is looking for big personalities, so I have to wonder if they’ve encouraged actors/actresses to audition. Loren does a decent job with “Treasure,” but the judges want to hear more authenticity from her. Jennifer and Keith give Loren yes votes; Harry says no, but he’s outvoted.

Trevor Douglas, 16, student, Forth Worth, Texas: This guy says he’s a huge science geek, who loves math. Most of his gigs don’t pay, he admits. In fact, he likes to hang out after big concerts — oh, say like a One Direction show — and perform on a street corner. He’s going to audition with “Sing” by Ed Sheeran. He’s another quirky guy, and he delivers a quirky version of the song. Don’t know about the falsetto, but he’s pretty good. Jennifer calls him “very interesting” and likes his “cool geeky quality.” Harry likes his “confidence.” And Trevor is unanimously bound for Hollywood.

Piper Jones, 24, substitute teacher, Nashville, Tenn.: We don’t get a full introduction to Piper, but she sure sounds great.

Kelley Kime, 23, teacher, Fairfax, Va.: Next up, a daughter-mother team, but this time the daughter is only age 3, but doesn’t hesitate to sing “Let It Go” from “Frozen” for the judges. Jennifer delights her by giving her a golden ticket. Then Hope sits in Jennifer’s lap while mom launches into a rendition of “Sunday Morning.” She’s singing a cappella. And, hey, she sounds really good as her smiling daughter looks on. And mom gets a golden ticket too.

Garrett Miles, 25, musician, performer, Phenix City, Ala.: Garrett was born with an eye disease that left him blind. His dad serves as his roadie. Garrett says he’s been singing since he started talking, learned to play guitar at 10 and doesn’t fear crowds because he can’t see them. “My family can’t sing a note or play a note. I don’t know where my talent came from, except for God almighty.” He’s going to sing “Proud Mary.” Garrett has a really neat tone to his voice and showed lots of control. Keith likes the fact that Garrett has his own unique sound. And Garrett gets a golden ticket to Hollywood, of course.

Clark Beckham, 22, street performer, White House, Tenn: This guy says he’s honed his musical skills singing on the streets of Nashville. He’ll audition with “This is a Man’s World.” The song’s been done very, very well more than once on Idol. Clark’s doing it very well, too. Jennifer says he has a nice bluesy tone with some “sweetness” to it. And Clark is off to Hollywood via a 2-1 vote; Harry again is the only “no.”

Gina Venier, 24, musician, Dixon, Ill.: Her dad taught her to play drums at age 6. And she shows up in the audition room with what she calls her toys, meaning a box she sits on so she can play it as a percussion instrument while she sings. She sings “Put the Gun Down.” Gina is another character. And, she earns three yes votes. And she didn’t even have to play her guitar. Jennifer calls her a “funky” girl.

Alex Shier, 19, musician, Port Huron, Mi.: He auditions with “I See Fire.” Alex says he’s played 200 shows in the past year after auditioning for Season 13. Keith likes the rasp in his voice. Alex advances.

Cody Fry, 24, musician, Northfield, Ill.: This guy says he’s a touring musician. His father was a composer of jingles. Guess who provided the kid’s voice for some of those jingles? That’s right: Cody. He auditions with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” He shows nice range during a sensitive performance of the song, using his guitar only sparingly. Jennifer liked the folky, throwback vibe. Harry called the performance “great.” Another Hollywood bound singer.

Hector Montenegro, 24, cosmetologist, West Palm Beach, Fla.: This guy is a master cosmetologist. He says he grew up with a lot of women, so pursuing that career just came naturally. He launches into a performance of “Too Close.” Harry says he has a “nice voice,” but worries about his presentation. Jennifer like his “innate coolness.” Keith says he’s naturally “a great singer.” Hector unanimously advances.

Sarina-Joi Crowe, 19, musician, Columbia, Tenn: Auditioning for the fourth time, Sarina says she’s really going to open up “and be my big bubbly self.” Sarina cuts loose with a rambunctious rendition of “When the Love Runs Out.” And she breezes into the Hollywood round. Jennifer says she’s a “great singer.” Harry says she sounds better this year.

Next, we get just short snippets of three singers who advance:

Jake Black, 25, production technician, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Alison Peratikos, 19, nanny, Beacon, N.Y.
Steffi Ledbetter, 20, student, Auburn, Ala.

Savion Wright, 22, student, Jasper, Texas: Savion says he’s glad he didn’t make the semifinals last year because it increased his drive. “I’ve been playing shows like crazy,” he tells the judges. He’s going to sing “Change the World.” And, folks, it doesn’t take but a few seconds until we can hear that Savion is the real deal. He turns in a splendid vocal and a very polished performance with a neat little wrinkle at the end. Jennifer says he seems a little more confident now. And Savion sails to Hollywood.

And now it’s on to Kansas City …

Zack Kaltenbach, 22, business intern, Lee’s Summit, Missouri: Zack went to the same high school as Season 7 champ David Cook. He’s going to audition with Bruno Mars’ “Grenade.” Zack has a really nice tone, though he seemed to suffer a bit from the nerves early in that performance. He’s through on a 2-1 vote, with another no from Harry.

Naomi Tatsuoka, 24, musician, Portland, Oregon: She’ll perform “Someone Like You” from Adele. She drops to her knees to perform. And then displays the best female voice we’ve heard so far tonight. Dang, lots of power, too. Though she goes a little over the top to prove her point. Harry called her vocal ability “impressive.” Naomi heads to Hollywood with three yes votes.

Jhameel, 24, freelance content creator, Oakland, Calif: Jennifer likes his style. Keith says his voice “wasn’t enough,” but other factors in Jhameel’s performance pulled him in. And Jhameel, face paint and all, heads to Hollywood.

Jasmin Pinela, 24, unemployed, Castle Hill, N.Y.: “Have no fear, the star is here,” she says as she heads into the audition room, where she’ll sing “Listen” by Beyonce. Another big voice, though Jasmin loses control when she goes for the big notes and her singing turns to shouting. Jasmin doesn’t advance.

Lovey James, 16, student, Portland, Oregon: She was a competitive dancer for seven years who says she has “some original content.” She’ll audition with “Break Free.” Jennifer says her voice matches her stage name and “it all kind of works for me.” Harry likes her current pop sound. Keith likes her originality. And Lovey — not her real name — advances to Hollywood.

Jess Lamb, 28, singer, Cincinnati, Ohio: Jess says she plays old-soul and Motown music. She says she’s been singing for years and sees this audition on Idol as her last chance. She’s playing piano and singing “Ain’t No Sunshine.” And she’s excellent, of course, because she’s getting to close the show. Harry calls her “adorable” and “the definition of creativity” and “very, very interesting talent.” And Jess is going to Hollywood with three yes votes.