Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The American Idol hopefuls take the stage with a full band on tonight’s pre-taped Showstopper Round episode.

And, by the end of the night, Idol should have named a Top 24 for Season 20.

I’ll be grading each performance as it happens.

* Leah Marlene: She’s performed “She’s a Self-Made Man,” playing guitar. She showed off really nice stage presence. That ending was pretty special. But the vocal wasn’t quite as distinctive as she’s delivered in the past. She’s very worthy of her spot in the Top 24. Grade: B+

* Jay Copeland, 23, Salisbury, Md.: He’s one of the three platinum ticket recipients. He performed “Jar of Hearts.” And delivered another vocal that showed he was quite worthy of that honor. He’s the male singer who’s impressed me the most so far in Season 21. And, yep, that Top 24 spot was deserved. Grade: A–

* Nicolina Bozzo, 18, Toronto: She sang “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. And you had to love the way she was belting and suddenly went a cappella. She didn’t get a platinum ticket, but she deserved one the way she’s performed to this point. She’s been the most impressive female singer. Grade: A

* Emyrson Flora, 16, Cleveland: She performed “Honey,” saying she wanted to change it up for the showstopper round. She has a unique tone, but I’m not sure the song was a show stopper. She advanced. Grade: B

* Ryleigh Madison, 16, Whiteville, N.C.: She performed “Blue.” She has loads of potential for her age, but seemed to be pushing a little too much on those big notes. She did not advance. Grade: B–

* Katyrah Love, 23, Baltimore, Md.: She performed “Sweet Love.” Again, she’s one of the Season 21 contestants quite comfortable on stage. She also showed off lots of range and a great personality in that performance. She also made Top 24. Grade: B+

* Fritz Hager, 22, Tyler, Texas: He sang an original, “Inconsequential Love,” a song he wrote for his sister after a big fight with his parents. He delivered tons of emotion, but I’m not sure his vocals are among the show’s best. He also made Top 24.Grade: B–

So did Jacob Moran and former Voice standout Allegra Miles. Jacob’s performance was so cut up, I can’t grade it. Idol didn’t show a second of Allegra’s.

Come on, Idol. I’m gonna say the same thing I say about The Voice. If you can’t make room for all the performances on the show, put them on YouTube. But, of course, that won’t happen.

Cameron Whitcomb, 18, British Columbia: He performed Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me,” complete with a backflip at the end. I’m not as enamored with his vocal style. But he’s a ton of fun on stage. He made the Top 24. Grade: B

Ava Maybee: We haven’t seen enough of Ava to this point. She sounded very good on that and she has a distinctive vocal style. She also fits a rocker girl lane that isn’t exactly overloaded with contestants in Season 21. She advanced. Grade: B+

Yoli Mayor, 26, Miami, Fla.: She performed “Cuban” and showed tons of vocal firepower. I loved her during Hollywood Week. I found that performance a little over the top. She did not advance. Grade: B–

Sam Moss, Douglas Mills and Betty Maxwell were also eliminated shy of the Top 24.

* Sir Blayke, 28, Chicago: He performed “Honestly” and delivered one of the best ballads we’ve heard so far tonight. He showed lots of range and a really nice tone. He made the Top 24. Grade: B

Also advancing: Mike Parker and Elli Rowe.

Tristan Gressett, 17, Pell City, Ala.: He performed “Come Together.” And he is absolutely one of the most ready of the Season 21 contestants. I watch his performances and am continually amazed he shows that much confidence at age 17. Grade: B+

Christian Guardino, 21, New York: He performed “Sex on Fire.” Way too over the top. And I haven’t been as impressed by his vocals as Idol’s judges. He advanced. Grade: C

Dontrell Briggs, 26, Braxton, N.C.: He tackled “Hello” by Lionel Richie. And it sounded like he tackled the song. From the snippet we heard, it wasn’t a great vocal. He didn’t advance. Grade: C

Noah Thompson, 19, Louisa, Kentucky: He performed “Stay” by Rihanna. He says it’s a song he sings with his girlfriend back home. He showed off nice raspy vocals, but he’s going to have to open his eyes to make a connection with the audience on ballads like that. He advanced. Grade: B–

Cadence Baker, 18, St. Louis: She performed “The Story.” The opening was brilliant. The big vocal moments were a bit shouty. But she performed that song with so much passion, I’d love to hear more. And we’ll get to see more, because she advanced. Grade: B

Kelsie Dolin: She sang “Before You Go” and she needs more work and many more performances before she’s ready for the American Idol gauntlet. She did not advance, and that was the right decision. Grade: C

HunterGirl, 23, Winchester, Tenn: She performed “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” and she delivered great country vocals reminding us why she received that platinum ticket. That was my favorite performance from her so far. Grade: A–

Sage, 20, Burbank: She sang “I Hate This.” Idol didn’t show enough of the performance for me to grade it. She advanced.

Danielle Finn, 17, Los Angeles: She sang “Evergreen.” Idol didn’t show enough of the performance for me to grade it. She also advanced.

Jordan Chase, 21, Pensacola, Fla.: He sang “Cold” by Chris Stapleton. He sounded pretty good on that performance, better than in his duet with Kenedi Anderson. Voice fans might remember he made his first public performance on that show. Grade: B–

Kenedi Anderson, 17, Crozet, Va: She sang “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars. She has a great look, a great tone and a big voice, but I keep thinking she’s trying to do too much to prove she deserves the platinum ticket she received. Still, that was also better than her duet. She advanced. Grade: B+

Scarlet Ayliz, 18, Hartford, Conn.: She performed “You Oughta Know” and delivered a passionate performance belting lyrics from her knees on stage and delivering a great ending too. One of the night’s best performances. She made the Top 24.Grade: A

Lady K, 25, Tuskegee, Ala.: She sang “I’d Rather Go Blind” and delivered a strong, soulful performance. A few too many runs for my liking. But the passion in that performance was undeniable. She made the Top 24.Grade: B

Dan Marshall, 24, Chesapeake, Va.: The country singer performed “Hard Working Man” and showed off better showmanship than vocals. That said, he has one powerful voice. He got the final spot in the Top 24. Grade: B–

Dakota Hayden, 17, Fordsville, Ken.: He sang “Your Pretty Heart.” And he sounded very nervous on what was a pretty shaky vocal to end this episode of Idol on. He didn’t advance.Grade: C