Idol Chatter & Voice Views

You want music?

They’ve got music.

I’m talking about the very talented group of golden ticket winners American Idol sent to Hollywood this year.

You’ll have trouble convincing me all of the most talented are among this year’s top 24.

Below, I’ve listed 18 golden ticket recipients who have music available for download right now (all on iTunes unless otherwise mentioned).

Wow, I’m talking some very good music.

My favorites are Katelyn Clampett, Jess Wolfe (and friend as Lucius), Jim Ranger, Luke Shaffer and Megan McCallon.

But that doesn’t mean the others aren’t worth checking out. Like I said, lots of very good music.

And I’m hoping golden ticket winners Jaclyn North and Mallorie Haley soon join the list.

If I’ve missed anyone with music available, please let me know by commenting below. My goal is to make this list as complete as possible.

And if you missed my profiles of all this year’s golden ticket recipients, go here.

Meanwhile, enjoy the music by these very deserving Idol contestants.

* Alex Nester: I spotted this California girl and cancer survivor a couple of times during Hollywood Week, but I don’t think we got to see her perform. A soul/R&B performer, she releaed a 15-track CD “Rattle the Walls” about a year ago. Six of the songs are on her MySpace.

* Ben Honeycutt: Now trying to make it as a solo artist, this Georgia resident used to be with a group called Candlefuse. The group released a 10-track album, “Never Go Unheard” in 2006 and a seven-track EP “Talking to the Wind” in 2009. You can hear five songs off the latter on MySpace.

* Blake Marvin: A country singer from Colorado whom we saw precious little of on Idol. He released a seven-track EP called “Keep Movin’ On” in 2007. “Brand New Me” sounds very good. Go here to listen to the CD.

* Bryce Larsen: This 26-year-old from Long Island has plenty of music for you to check out. He released an 11-track solo album — “Sport of Kings” — in 2008. You can hear three of the songs here. He’s also lead singer for a pop/alternative group called Stealing Jane. They released a 2007 EP “Say Something” and a 2009 EP “The Signal.” You can hear five of their songs here.

* Frankie Jordan: The dark-haired gal who has made two straight trips to Hollywood released a single called “Hot Girl”in 2007 and one called “Once Again” in 2006. You can hear “Once Again” on Frankie’s MySpace page.

* Holly Hardin: She might have shown up for her audition dressed like a guitar, but this Georgia girl is serious about country music. She has a 10-track CD called “HEART.” You can listen to three of the songs on her MySpace. “Good Riddance” is my favorite of the three.

* Jeffery Goldford: This 28-year-old from Chicago used to front a band called The Everyday People, which released a six-track EP “Complicated” in 2007 (available from CD Baby) and a 12-track album “Catch Me” in 2007 (available through Rhapsody). You can go here to listen to five tunes from The Everyday People.

* Jennifer Hirsh: She’s the 23-year-old New Yorker who sang ‘Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead’ for her audition. She has a five-track jazz EP — “Sweet Words” — on iTunes. You can hear three of the songs on her MySpace.

* Jess Wolfe: She and fellow Berklee College of Music student Holly Laessig released a 10-track CD — “Songs from the Bromley House” — as Lucius in 2009. It’s available on iTunes, and you can listen to five of the songs on MySpace. “Shenandoah” is wonderful.

* Jim Ranger: Remember the worship pastor we met in the Los Angeles audition show? Well, Jim Ranger is also lead singer for a band called Soulajar that released an EP in 2006. In fact, the original song he performed at the audition is on the EP. You can go here to listen to snippets of the songs on the EP.

* Katelyn Clampett: This Raleigh, N.C., singer has an single, “Water Them Down,” available on iTunes. Nicknamed Sweat Pea, she also has an excellent song called “Sweat Tea” on her MySpace. You can watch the video for “Water Them Down” there, too.

* Kristina Michell: This Portland resident had an “e” on the end of her last name when she released a 10-track CD “Just a Few Words” back in 2005. It’s still available on CD Baby. You can hear snippets of the songs here.

* Luke Shaffer: That’s the name he auditioned under, but he performs as Luke James. He has a single on iTunes titled “Bella.” You can check out that song and several others on MySpace. Make sure to listen to the excellent “This Town.”

* Mark Lariola II: He’s the guy who begged the judges for another chance in Hollywood. Up until May 2008, he played guitar and sang with a Christian/rock/alternative band called “Foolish Things.” The group has two CDs, “Let’s Not Forget the Story” (2006) and “Even Now” (2007). You can hear one song off the former and three off the latter, here.

* Marshall Manning: A hip-hop and rap artist, this Georgia resident performs as Mars and has a 12-track album out, “Welcome To Mars.” You can listen to several of the songs here.

* Megan McCallon: Another female singer-songwriter we deserved to hear much more from on Idol. She has two CDs, “Missing Piece” from 2006, “June Bug” from last year. You can listen to six of her songs here. “June Bug” and “Cold Night in Austin” are excellent.

* Michael Castro: Yes, we might still be waiting for season seven Idol contestant Jason Castro’s debut CD, but Michael has a self-titled six-track EP out. You can listen to the full EP here.

* Nicci Nix: Remember the gal with the little girl voice. She doesn’t sing that way. Nicci released two singles in 2007, “Sexcessful Virgin” and “Love Drifter” and a four-song pop EP last March. You can hear the songs from the EP here.