Cadence Baker, Dontrell Briggs bound for Hollywood

American Idol

Cadence Baker, Dontrell Briggs bound for Hollywood

March 12, 2022 By Mark Franklin 0

Cadence Baker listens to feedback from the American Idol judges while accompanied by her father Shane during the Season 20 auditions.

As has become its habit, American Idol has already introduced us to two artists who will earn golden tickets on Sunday’s show.

This week, those contestants are Cadence Baker and Dontrell Briggs.

Cadence is 18 and from Muscleshoals, Ala., and you might say music is as synonymous with her family as it is with the town where she lives.

Her grandfather wrote a major hit song in the 1990s and runs a recording studio.

Her father Shane is a musician too and has fronted several bands, including one called Cadence.

And he accompanied Cadence into the audition room, then accompanied her on guitar, something she said made he much less nervous than she would have been otherwise.

She auditioned with Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” And after a bit of a shaky start, she settled into a groove, showing off a nice little lilt in the process.

When her audition ended, the judges reward her with a standing ovation. And a golden ticket, of course.

Katy Perry said lots of auditioners attempt “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” Most are shown the door. She called Cadence’s version “amazing.”

Luke Bryan labled it “awesome, awesome, awesome” and said Cadence flashed Top 10 potential.

Dontrell, 26, is from Maxton, N.C., and entered the audition room carrying a blanket bearing the face of his godmother.

She passed away last April at age 58, and Dontrell said losing her “was hard to deal with,” especially because she was so supportive of him.

Calling himself “100 percent” a gospel singer, he auditioned with “For Your Glory” by Tasha Cobbs.

Lionel Richie was a fan, saying he “felt every breath of that performance.”

Katy wasn’t so certain, noting that Dontrell relies heavily and repeatedly on a low vibrato when he sings.

In fact, she was a “no” vote on a golden ticket, leaving Dontrell’s fate in the hands of Luke.

Dontrell offered to sing a second song — Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” — and nailed it in Luke’s opinion.

In fact, the judge proclaimed the Dontrell was “going to Hollywood” before he stopped singing. Then when he stopped, Luke insisted he repeat the chorus one more time for good measure.

Idol airs its third audition episode Sunday at 8 p.m.