Tonight, we get a double serving of American Idol.
In the next two hours, we’ll be treated to highlights from the San Antonio and Los Angeles auditions.
Is treated the correct word?
Well, I prefer Idol auditions in one-hour servings.
But after a slow start — we met just eight Hollywood-bound contestants during the two-hour season premiere — the show has done a much better job of focusing on the talented and limiting the amount of airtime devoted to the crazies or just downright deluded.
In fact, Idol might be hiding some talent from us. Do any of these names ring a bell? Ariel Sprague? Amber Holcomb? David Leathers? Nick Boddington? How about Schyler Dixon, Colton’s sister?
They’re all talented singers who made it to the Vegas round a year ago. They received tickets to Hollywood this year too, in cities where auditions have already been televised.
They weren’t featured. But I won’t be surprised if they show up again later this season.
You can check out all the golden ticket recipients we haven’t met here. In cases where a performance video is available, we’ve included one of those as well.
If your favorite contestant doesn’t have a video posted and you know where I can find one, please contact me. The goal is for this to be as complete as possible.
Speaking of returning contestants, we’re in San Antonio, and the auditions start with one …
* Vincent Powell, 29, Austin, Texas: He made it to the last day of Hollywood last year before Randy took a big sip of soda and threw off one of his performances, or so Vincent says. No one threw off that version of “Rock Me, Baby.” Vincent took it to church, and the judges were clearly impressed. Keith says he “loves” Vincent. Nicki calls his voice “amazing” and she can imagine him making a gospel CD. And Mariah, the singer Vincent idoloizes, says he sings like an angel. But, hold it, isn’t the cutoff age for Idol 28? Idol’s blue bar clearly identified Vincent as 29.
Derek and David Bacerott, San Antonio, Texas, 21 and 24: Next up, singing brothers. OK, we haven’t seen siblings yet this year, and Idol could have kept this duo in the closet. Randy calls the “whole thing terrible.” And the brothers are begging. And the judges are giving them a hard time. Why are these two auditioning together? And why are they — and Idol — wasting our Idol time?
* Savannah Votion, 24, San Antonio, Texas OK, she shows up wearing a red jacket, a black tube top and showing off more skin than your average auditioner. Hold it, is she a joke contestant or a real contestant? Now we’ve moved into a back-story about how he’s a struggling mother and sees Idol as her big opportunity. She’ll sing “At Last.” And, hey, the tummy flaunting gal can sing. In fact, she’s got a really big voice. Tip to Savannah: A little classier attire might be a good idea. Randy calls her “a natural performer.” Mariah says she’s “really strong.” Keith likes the fact that he can hear “life” in her voice. Nicki likes her too. Here comes an opportunity, Savannah.
* Cristabel Clack, 29, San Antonio, Texas: She’s a worship leader who’s been married for seven years and has three young children. Nice looking family. Of course, one of those children is asleep as mom auditions. She’ll sing “If I Ain’t Got You.” Another take-it-to-church performance that’s clearly impressing the judges. Especially Mariah and Randy. Keith liked the flourishes in the performance. Mariah says it’s obvious she’s a “real singer.” Nicki, too, likes the way she changed the song. And, of course, Cristabel is Hollywood bound.
* Ann DiFani, 23, Fayetteville, Ark.: Here’s a former Miss University of Arkansas who was nominated to try out for American Idol by her husband. And Randy Jackson broke the news to her in the middle of a Razorback football game. She’ll sing “Stronger.” Nope, not the Kelly Clarkson song. The Faith Hill song. Hmm, she has a little twang in her voice. And a very nice tone. Prediction: She’s off to Hollywood, too. Mariah asks her if she wants to be a country singer. Careful there, Mariah. You’re treading into dangerous waters. Oh, no, and Ann says she thinks she could cross over into pop, too. But Nicki lets the moment pass, and Ann gets a unanimous pass to Hollywood.
* Victoria Acosta, 20, San Antonio, Texas: Next up, a mariachi singer (hey, The Voice had one), who sings along the river walk in San Antonio to welcome tourists to town. She says she’s been singing since age 6. She won’t audition with mariachi. She’s singing “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie. She has a big voice. And I liked that really nice final line. Now Randy requests some mariachi. That’s really impressive. Another young woman is off to Hollywood.
* Papa Peaches, 19 Jackson, Miss: Next up is a guy who decides to sing his own music. He says folks look at him and see a cute white boy. But he’s so much more, Papa says. He feels like he’s got a big black woman trapped in his body. Yeah, we’ve never heard that before. Nicki calls him a superstar. To me, Papa Peaches can go straight to the “no” line. Randy says he could really have something if he was serious about it. Papa gets a no from Randy and Keith. Nicki pleads for him. Mariah gives him a small yes. Randy is the tiebreaker in San Antonio. So Randy changes his vote. Boooooo!
* Sanni M’Mairura, 16, Pearland, Texas: His mom’s from Tanzania; his dad is from Kenya. And Sanni has been performing with a youth ministry group called The Noise. On Idol, he’ll perform Michael Jackson’s “Who’s Loving You.” This guy’s got a great smile and seems not the least bit fazed by performing in front of superstar judges. Nicki says he had “a great, well-orchestrated audition.” And Keith likes his combination of “confidence and humility.” In a season where Idol hasn’t seemed to be pushing as many really young contestants, the show just found a worthy one.
* Adam Sanders, 19, San Antonio, Texas: He says he wants to be an R&B / soul performer. And he’ll audition with Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind.” He’s clearly a big Mariah Carey fan. Here’s another audition that looks like it might go south quickly, until Adam starts demonstrating a big voice that brings most of the judges to their feet. And Adam is through, too, after displaying the best voice we’d heard from a male so far tonight.
AND NOW, WE’RE OFF TO CALI
Idol goes aboard the Queen Mary for its California auditions in Long Beach.
Oh, my, and these auditions start off with just Randy and Keith. Nicki is off at the American Music Awards; Mariah is stuck in traffic.
* Shubha Vedula, 17, Mount Pleasant, Mich.: Shubha is clearly taken aback by the half empty judges’ table, but launches into “Something’s Got a Hold on Me.” My, my, the female talent just keeps coming, doesn’t it? I didn’t really expect such a big voice from Shubha. And she seems sweet, saying she loves to sing “everything.” And Shubha is through unanimously even if that means just two votes.
Mariah arrives, complaining about L.A. traffic and saying, “If you want a diva, you’ve gotta pay the price.” I think she’s joking.
Brian Martinez, 21, Los Angeles, Calif.: He’ll sing “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins. Someone heard him singing in a restroom and suggested he try out for Idol. Clearly, the producer who suggested Brian try out for Idol works for The Voice or The X Factor. Brian isn’t quite Hollywood ready.
* Matt Farmer, 26, Tulsa, Okla.: This guy shows up with his young daughter. Here comes an interesting back-story. Matt served in Iraq and suffered a traumatic brain injury in an explosion there. The medication he was placed on was supposed to make him sterile. Matt says his daughter “saved his life.” And “sheer cuteness,” aka Kadence, accompanies him into the audition room. He’ll audition with Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Randy compliments him on his “strong pipes.” Mariah liked the realness in his voice. He’s off to Hollywood. Kadence doesn’t quite seem to appreciate the moment.
Stephanie Sanson, 16, Los Angeles: Here comes a young girl who says she knows she doesn’t have a traditional American Idol look. Hmm, might be the purple hair. She sings in a band called “You Only Live Once,” and all her band mates are on hand to support her. Hmm, she turns her back to the judges and starts jumping. Now she starts screaming. And flashing the finger in all directions. What the heck? And for what reason did Idol put her on TV? Keith jokes that Nicki would have sent her to Hollywood.
* Jesaiah Baer, 16, Hollister, Calif.: She shows up for her audition aboard the Queen Mary wearing a captain’s hat and sings Kimbra’s “Settle Down.” She displays a soulful voice. And, just then, sirens start going off. “It sounds like a warning,” Mariah says. Really? Nigel Lythgoe makes a guest appearance to tell the judges they must abandon ship. When will Idol learn? These shipboard auditions never seem to go smoothly. And, poor Nicki, she just got seated. Now she has to navigate her way back off the ship in those heels. And it appears an on-board restaurant got a little smoky. Now we can resume that version of “Settle Down.” Hmm, and Jesaiah is just 16? Randy calls her “really, really talented.” Nicki says she liked her confidence. And the captain is Hollywood-bound, fire notwithstanding.
* Micah Johnson, 24, Morrow, Ga.: This guy was left with a speech impediment when a doctor was removing his tonsils, but says he’s loved singing all his life. Mariah says she knows what he’s going through. She once had nerve damage in her arm and thought it was never going to go away. Hmm, not the same as being stuck with a speech problem, there, Mariah. He’ll sing “Chicken Fried.” Bye, bye speech problem. There’s no sign of it as he sings. Nicki’s face lights up the second he starts singing. Keith calls it “beautiful” and Mariah says she would have been moved by his voice regardless of his back-story. Another Hollywood-bound contestant.
* Rachel Hale, 21, Prescott, Ark.: This student says she’s from a town of 3,500 and has the biggest southern accent ever. Mariah responds that she loves her accent. So Rachel, who goes by her middle name, launches into “People Get Ready.” Wow, rich voice. Really impressed by this gal’s tone. Nicki calls her “pretty” and “striking” and says she sounds like someone who’s already established. Idol has found a slew of talented females this year.
* Briana Oakley 16, Antioch, Calif.: Here’s a young woman who says she was seriously bullied in school. She ate lunch in the bathroom or with a teacher by her side because she didn’t feel safe. She ultimately changed schools. This all apparently occurred after she appeared on America’s Most Talented Kids back in 2009. Her mom helped her realize she needed to keep singing. Briana will sing “Up To the Mountain.” Another nice audition. You just know Briana is Hollywood-bound after that intro. Keith calls it “fantastic,” saying “it all worked for me.” Nicki just says “wow” over and over. And Randy compliments her sheer awesome talent.
* Matheus Fernandes, 21, Atlanta, Ga.: This guy moved to Los Angeles about a year ago to pursue music. Doctors, he said, haven’t been able to figure out any medical problem that he has. He’s just short. He, too, has been bullied and “says lots of tears have been shed.” So many, that he feels strong. “Good things come in small packages,” he says as he heads into the audition room. He’ll sing “A Change is Gonna Come.” He’s impressive, of course. No way he wasn’t going to be after that back-story. But the guy is shrewd, too, working the judges’ names into the performance. Keith compliments him on a great voice. Nicki says the show is looking for a “unique, special person, and you fit that bill.” Mariah says he brought her nearly to tears and could sing “anything for me.”
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