Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Here we go: American Idol Season 14.

And the judges’ mission is pretty clear: Find a 2015 cast that is ready for prime time. Ready to take the stage and turn in an entertaining performance week after week once the live shows begin.

Keith Urban said as much in a conference call with the media a couple weeks back. That’s one reason Idol is going to ask its Top 48 to perform before a live audience before selecting a Top 24.

Harry Connick Jr. put it more bluntly in a Season 14 preview that ran in USA Today.

“There were a lot of talented kids last year (who) didn’t do that well on the show, whether it’s because of nerves or lack of experience,” he said. “What we all tried to do was find kids that would be more ready for the American Idol experience… If you’re going to be an entertainer, you have to be able to perform on cue.”

Of course, that makes even more sense with American Idol Season 14 airing simultaneously with Season 8 of The Voice.

Tune into The Voice, and you’re assured of seeing ready-for-prime-time singers. When you tuned into Season 13 of Idol, you could count on solid performances from Jena Irene, Caleb Johnson and Jess Meuse. Several other finalists, while talented, were woefully inconsistent.

And we start off the show by hearing the Top 24 — faces in shadows, of course — singing “Feeling Good.” Nice intro. Lots of great voices. And remember that regardless of what we see for the next few weeks, the Top 24 has already been selected.

We’ll start off looking for talent in Keith’s hometown of Nashville.

Time to meet some talent …

Riley Bria, 17, a student from Springhill, Tenn.: He’s a big Keith Urban fan and actually got to play guitar for Keith at an awards show performance back in 2012. He calls it the “biggest moment” of his life. So guess what he’s going to sing: “Georgia Woods” by Keith. Hey, and the guy has a really good voice; he’s playing guitar, too, of course. Jennifer says it looks like “he’s made for the stage.” Keith encourages him to “dig into” the performance. But he’s bound for Hollywood with three yes votes. Keith likes the fact that he auditioned with “an obscure album track.”

Priscilla Barker, 19, office assistant, Amory, Mississippi: Here’s a young lady who’s the baby of 10 siblings and says her mother might make her walk home if she doesn’t get to meet Keith Urban. “People describe me as a very bubbly, outgoing person. Spunky, I guess you could say,” says Priscilla. She’ll sing “Delta Dawn.” She’s got a guitar, but decides to sing the opening a cappella. Priscilla has an adorable southern accent that carries over into her singing. Priscilla hasn’t even gotten an answer on whether she’s going to Hollywood before she starts lobbying for her mother to get a chance to meet Keith. Priscilla heads to Hollywood on a 2-1 vote, with Jennifer being the “no.” And, sure enough, Priscilla’s mom gets to hug Keith.

Cameron Bedell, 25, service, Wichita, Kansas: We don’t get a big introduction to Cameron. He’ll sing “You are the Best Thing.” He’s got the biggest voice we’ve heard yet. And some pretty impressive range, too. Harry liked the way Cameron got lost in the performance. And Cameron is Hollywood bound unanimously.

Amber Kelechi Walker, 15, student, Memphis, Tenn: This young woman says she grew up in the “hard part” of Memphis, a community with a lot of gang violence. “I hated it,” she says. “Every Sunday was a funeral. If I hadn’t had music in my life, I’d probably be part of a gang. In jail. Pregnant. Music gave me hope. It gave me dreams.” Her mother says all she wants to do is write and perform music. She’ll audition with Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel.” Another big voice, though she’s in bad need of some mentoring. Jennifer says it’s a great performance. Harry doesn’t think she’s ready. Keith gives her the yes she needs to make it to Hollywood.

Kyle Blaine Corman, 24, produce stocker, Staten Island, N.Y.: He’s going to sing “Give a Little Bit,” by Supertramp, though he apparently knows the Goo Goo Dolls’ version better. And he launches into a frenetic performance, complete with a couple oddly placed screams. And Kyle doesn’t make it to Hollywood.

Kory Wheeler, 26, barista, Nashville, Tenn.: Next up is a guy who works at a coffee shop across the street from the audition site and got an hour off for his chance to perform in front of the Idol judges. He’ll sing “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Lots of emotion in his performance. He gave Jennifer goosies. The judges like his style. Harry says he has “a great voice.” And he got a unanimous vote to Hollywood.

Michael Simeon, 20, student, Lumberton, Mississippi: Michael says he grew up on a farm and is auditioning for Idol because he’s a little tired of that. He’s singing “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith. Hey, right off the bat I really like his voice. This guy is a returnee from Season 13. Nice gravelly tone to his voice. I can see young girls voting for him like crazy too. And Michael gets three yes votes to advance to Hollywood. And then he asks for, and gets, to dance with Jennifer while singing more of his audition song.

Emily Brooke, 15, student, West Palm Beach, Fla.: This teen says she’s been performing shows, setting aside every penny she made to pay for the trip to audition for American Idol in Nashville. She’ll sing “Blown Away” by Carrie Underwood. Emily is pretty impressive for 15, huh? Jennifer says Emily “is pretty great” and “executed it beautifully.” Keith likes her “raw talent.” Emily says this is “what I’m meant to do.” And she’s off to Hollywood, too.

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