Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol heads West in search of more talent this evening.

Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more about the contestants we’ve already met, head here.

I’ve posted individual blogs of more than 60 singers featured in audition episodes so far, complete with videos of non-Idol performances.

Of course, I’ll be posting more after this week’s episodes from Salt Lake City and Omaha.

And here we go …

By the way, sorry about the lack of photos. It took the Idol publicity site two weeks to start listing American Idol on its schedule instead of The X Factor. Finally, tonight, they got that right, but neglected to post any publicity shots of the singers featured in this evening’s episode.

Austin Wolfe: The judges immediately compliment this 16-year-old student from Park City, Utah, on her awesome name. We’re about to find out if Austin has an awesome voice to match. Her song: “Radioactive.” Hey, nice tone to her voice. Sounds very mature for 16. Dang, girl. Jennifer says she “has the whole package going on.” Keith says she has “great pitch” and is “a force to be reckoned with.” Nice start to the Salt Lake auditions.

Kylee Adamson: She’s 18 and says she’s a lumberjack. No joke, though she lets out a big laugh when she announces that to the judges. Another really good female voice. Keith says she grabbed his attention immediately. With her voice, not the fact that she uses an axe for a living. Another recipient of three yeses.

Now we’re going to get quick snippets from three singers: Keith Sanders, 26, a bartender from Oxford, Miss.; Michael Simeon, 19, a student from Lumberton, Miss., and Tessa Norman, 19, a student from Lindon, Utah. Jennifer says Tessa is a star. And all three advance.

Alex Preston: This young man calls himself an obnoxious guitar player because he can’t not play if he has a guitar around his neck. He also says he loves song writing. Plus it appears he plays the guitar. He’s 20, a student from Mont Vernon, N.H. And he’ll audition with an original song. And Alex advances with three yes votes. Little surprised. Wasn’t crazy about his voice.

Samantha Calmes: She’s a 25-year-old music educator from Hammond, La., and she too will sing an original — a song she calls “From Birth.” She starts by talking more than singing. Now she’ll sing part of “The Jeffersons” theme song, “Movin’ On Up.” Sounds familiar. Harry says she “has some interesting things to offer,” though he wasn’t taken with her voice. Keith compliments her “originality” and said The Jeffersons theme song showed her versatility. She, too, is Hollywood bound.

More snippets of singers, starting with Lebryant Crew, a 24-year-old real estate appraiser from El Dorado, Ariz., who’s also a minister; Laurel Wright, an 18-year-old student from Maryville, Tenn., who’s singing her own song. Jennifer calls Laurel’s performance “really, really pretty.” Harrry says Lebryant is a great performer. Both advance, of course.

D.J. Bradley: The 20-year-old, listed as unemployed, is from Maryville, Tenn., and is going to sing Adele’s “Hometown Glory.” Not liking his voice at all, but Jennifer says she “kinda likes” his “quirky vibe.” D.J. says he loves writing his own stuff and putting his own spin on things. Has Jennifer said no to anyone this season on Idol? Not to D.J., who advances.

Kenzie Hall: The 16-year-old is engaging for sure, telling the judges she’s “pretending” to be OK when she’s really quite nervous to be auditioning in front of them. She’s a student from Draper, Utah, and she’ll sing John Mayer’s “I’m Gonna Find Another You.” Kenzie doesn’t perform as though she’s nervous. Jennifer says “you have everything going on.” She sails to Hollywood on three yes votes.

Paisley Van Patten: This young lady says she was on her way to stardom as a teen in Nashville but says she blew it by becoming an alcoholic. Now she’s sober and is looking for a second chance. She’s identified as a 25-year-old waitress from Salt Lake City. She’ll sing Faith Hill’s “When the Lights Go Down.” Keith says he “loves her voice” and was “subdued” as she sang it. Jennifer says she showed nice control. She’s off to Hollywood.

Haydn Olsen, 15, a student from South Jordan, Utah; Chase Boyle, 23, a student from St. George, Utah; Julia “Missy Cyclops” Flores, 18, from San Antonio, Texas, get snippets on Idol, but don’t make it to Hollywood. Jocelyn Baker, 18, a student from Salem, Utah; and Blake Branscom, 16, a student from Middlesboro, Ky., fare better, making it to Hollywood.

C.J. Harris: Here’s a guy who plays music for a living. His dad died a year ago of a massive heart attack. C.J. is a 22-year-old guitar teacher from Jasper, Alabama, and he’s dedicating his performance to his dad. The song is called “Soul Shine.” Jennifer says she “really liked it.” Harry says he has a “pleasant” vibe. Keith says he “believed” his audition. Three yes votes later, he’s off to Hollywood.

Tiquila Wilson: She’s 24, a funeral home singer from Winston-Salem, N.C., and she’s going to sing “Someone Like You” by Adele. She says she “sings to the dead.” Big voice. No doubt about that. Not a lot of subtlety. Keith says she has a “beautiful voice.” And she advances with three yes votes.

Chase Thornton: He’s 20, a busboy and model, Idol tells us. The young man from Clearfield, Utah, is going to sing Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.” Wow, just our second no of the night.

Jessica Bassett: She’s a 22-year-old student from Orem, Utah. And she has a really sweet voice. But Harry says no and Keith says no. She only gets a yes from Jennifer.

Emily Rottler: The 17-year-old student from Salt Lake City immediately gets the judges’ attention because of her mustard-colored tights. It’s not her favorite color, she admits, but they matched her skirt. She’ll sing “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. Keith says she has a “great voice.” Jennifer calls her “the real thing.” Harry says she convinced him “it’s going to be a really great year on American Idol.” Three yes votes follow.

Dexter Roberts: The 22-year-old from Fayette, Ala., works as a farm hand and trains dogs to hunt ducks. He’s going to sing “I Like to Drive.” With guitar, of course. One of the better country voices we’ve heard. Keith likes the blues sound in his voice. Jennifer calls it “really impressive.” Harry says he “sounds authentic.” Dexter is unanimously Hollywood bound.

Ally Roundy, 18, a student from Sandy, Utah; does not advance.

Briston Maroney: This 15-year-old lad says music is his family’s priority. “Music is family to us.” He plays the guitar that belonged to his great-grandfather, who was a recording artist in Nashville. But, come on, Briston, you tell that story and you don’t know your great-grandfather’s first name. Very lame. He’ll sing “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Jennifer calls him “so unique.” He gets a golden ticket.

Another trio coming up. Carson Henline, a 16-year-old student from Gunnison, Utah, who looks at the sign behind him and proclaims “this is legit. In eighth grade, he was voted most likely to be on American Idol. Sabrina Lentini, a 15-year-old guitar wielding gal from Tustin, Calif., sings “Black Horse and a Cherry Tree.” And Leia “Fish” Lotulelei, 19, a student from Des Moines, Wash., brought along a crowd of supporters and will sing “A Team.” Leia goes through unanimously. Sabrina gets two yes votes. Carson doesn’t advance.

Johnny Newcomb: The 16-year-old student from Maryville, Tenn., will sing “Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam. Harry and Keith don’t think he’s ready. Johnny asks to sing a second song, and Jennifer allows him to. And he changes Jennifer’s mind. He can’t change Harry’s. Keith agrees to give him one more shot. Jennifer advises him to “loosen up.”

Kimberly Tosti: The 25-year-old marketing coordinator from Park City, Utah, will sing Heart’s “Baracuda.” She has a big voice. “Wow,” says Keith. Kimberly doesn’t advance. And sound an alarm. Jennifer Lopez actually said no to someone.

Carmen Delgina: The 24-year-old is a resale clerk in Las Vegas. And her dad is Wonder Mike from the Sugar Hill Gang. Jennifer compliments her on a God-given voice, but says it was an inconsistent performance. With mixed reviews, Carmen gets three yes votes. Interesting how some family members are waiting right outside the door while others seem to be a long hallway away.

Kassandra Castaneda: She’s a 16-year-old student from Eastvale, Calif., who has an uncle who wants a phone call or text from Jennifer. She’s going to sing “Chasing Pavements.” Jennifer says she “really liked it.” Harry wasn’t impressed by all the runs. Keith thinks she could do well in Hollywood. And Kassandra moves through on a 2-1 vote.

Kenneth “Woodie” Gaddie: We see a snippet of his audition. He’s a 28-year-old substitute teacher from Maumelle, Ariz. And Woodie advances. But it seems like merely a prelude to the next audition.

Casey Thrasher: He says he’s between living situations. And he has two children and calls them his precious reasons for trying Idol. He says he’s done all sorts of “crummy” jobs “to make ends meet.” “I want this and I need it for all of us,” he says. He said he got to meet Keith at the CMA Festival. He’s going to sing “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn. Cody is identified as a 22-year-old musician from Tuscaloosa, Ala. Cody’s performance is emotional and heartfelt, if not exactly spot on vocally. Jennifer compliments him on the “feeling” in the audition. Cody gets three yes votes.