So, has the idiot who decided to pit American Idol head to head with The Voice been fired yet?
I, mean, I don’t know about you, but I think the new Idol on ABC is off to a great start, introducing us to a wide range of talented singers, some of whom have fascinating backstories.
But Google the show’s name over the past week, and the result you’re most likely to come back with is the fact that The Voice beat American Idol in the ratings war last Monday night.
American Idol deserves better than that and was back at it Sunday night, delivering another night of standout performances.
The primary difference: The week one emphasis seemed to be on very young and talented singers. Sunday, many of those we met had much more experience.
Here’s a recap.
THE ORIGINALS
I love that American Idol is allowing singer-songwriters to showcase originals during the auditions; that used not to happen.
Sunday night, we got to hear two: the superb “L.A. is Lonely” from former The Voice contestants Ricky Manning and one that might be called “My Troubled Mind” from Effie Passero. Ricky delivered an emotional performance; Effie delivered one heck of a powerful vocal. Both sailed through to Hollywood.
It’s just a shame Ricky, 22, had to go on a rival show to perform his great single on national TV. But you know The Voice. They don’t do that (support past contestants). Unless it’s a show favorite. Or a past winner. But, hey, Katy Perry tweeted out Ricky’s original, calling it “beautiful.” That’s pretty special. Follow the links to learn more about Ricky and hear another great original from Effie, 26.
THE EXPERIENCED
Amelia Hammer Harris, 26, told the judges she’s been trying to make it on her own in L.A. for eight years. She’s the daughter of the late hit-writer Jack Hammer (“Great Balls of Fire”). Les Greene, 27, was identified as being from Baltimore, but it’s in Key West, Fla., that he’s performing now as lead singer of Patrick and the Swayzees.
Amelia performed the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” Les sang “A Change is Gonna Come.” Both are hoping their career trajectory changes thanks to the golden tickets to Hollywood they received after those performances.
THE EXCEPTION
In the intro, I mentioned more experienced contestants. Crystal Alicea would be the exception. Oh, she’s posted some covers to YouTube. But she only sings karaoke. And she estimates her largest crowd to date has been about 20 people.
But the lovely young lady from Winter Haven, Fla., resident cut loose with an impressive performance of “Lay Me Down” and had Katy Perry calling her “a little star” by the time she finished. I’m hoping we hear much more from Crystal.
GOTTA ROOT FOR HER
How can one not root for Maddie Zahn, 19, of Boise, Idaho? A medical condition that caused a big weight gain made her too self-conscious to sing in public. But she’s regained her confidence by teaching music to special education students, including her best friend Marcus, who accompanied her to her Idol audition.
Maddie showed off a impressive rang covering Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” and breezed on to the Hollywood round. Then she and Marcus performed Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” together in a touching show-closing segment.
BEST OF THE NIGHT
But my absolute favorite vocal of the night came from Caleb Lee Hutchinson, a guy who auditioned for Season 9 of The Voice at age 16 and failed to turn a chair in a televised performance.
He’s 18 now and delivered an absolutely wonderful cover of The Steel Drivers “If It Hadn’t Been for Love.” Katy complimented him on “a lovely voice.” Oh, and Caleb also delivered one of my favorite lines of the night. He doesn’t come from a musical family, he said, but he comes from a family “with a lot of great listeners of music.”
HOLLYWOOD BOUND
Also making the show Sunday: Jonny Brenns (who has already released music), Johnny White, Kristyn Harris, Shannon O’Hara and twins Julian and Milo Sposato.
Related Posts
-
April 1, 2025 -
March 31, 2025 Top 10 on American Idol in Hollywood
-
March 31, 2025 American Idol ladies — who advanced and who didn’t
Featured Music
Daddy's Mugshot
Laci Kaye Booth, Top 5 on American Idol Season 17, dropped a new single Friday. And if you somehow missed her 2024 album, "Loneliest Girl in the World," do yourself a favor and check it out!
Aaron Rizzo Adam David Alanna Lynise Angie Rey Ari Camille BDII (Brian Darden) Braxton Garza Britton Moore Carlos Santiago Conor JamesMORE BELOW
The Voice Season 27 Profiles
The Voice Season 27 Profiles
Darius J.
Dennis Lorenzo
Dimitrius Graham
Ethan Eckenroad
Fran
Hailey Wright
Iris Herrera
Jacquelyn George
Jaelen Johnston
Jay Ammo
Jayden Cree (Olesen)
Jessica Manalo
Lucia Flores-Wiseman
Naomi Soleil
Nell Simmons
Olivia Kuper Harris
Page Mackenzie
Ricardo Moreno
Robert Hunter
Simone Marijic
Tatum Scott
Tori Templet
Trevon Dawson
American Idol Season 19 Profiles
Featured Music
'Treasure' indeed
Laci Kaye Booth, Top 5 on American Idol Season 17, dropped her debut album Aug. 6. Her debut single, the ridiculously addictive "Treasure," heads to country radio in mid-September.
Archives
-
American Idol Hollywood Week photo gallery
April 1, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Angie Rey, Kolby Cordell nab steals on The Voice
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Top 10 on American Idol in Hollywood
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
The American Idol guys — Who advanced and who didn’t
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
American Idol ladies — who advanced and who didn’t
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin
-
Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 14 on American Idol
April 21, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for American Idol’s Top 24, Group 2
April 8, 2024 By Mark Franklin
-
-
We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez
February 5, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Phillip Phillips
January 19, 2012 By Mark Franklin
Post-Voice Music
Recent Voice Views Interviews
-
American Idol Hollywood Week photo gallery
April 1, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Angie Rey, Kolby Cordell nab steals on The Voice
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Top 10 on American Idol in Hollywood
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin
-
Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin
-
-
We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin
Post-American Idol Music
M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 | 29 | 30 |
Leave a reply