American Idol continues its search for singers worthy of the show’s title tonight in Detroit.
And if the show follows the same format as last week, we’re going to see lots and lots of singers.
Keri Lynn is among the singers we’re likely to meet tonight when American Idol broadcasts its Detroit audition episode. (FOX Photo)
I counted more than 60 singers whose names flashed on the screen for at least a few seconds in last week’s two episodes.
Now, that’s great for all those singers who achieve 15 minutes of fame, whether they advance far on Idol or not (something producers already know by this point, I might add).
I’m not sure it’s so great for fans who are expected to develop a connection to these contestants we’re told very little about.
I just checked the blogs from last year’s first two episodes. In those, we met 36 singers combined, but got much more of a back-story on most of the contestants.
Personally, that’s the approach I prefer.
If I weren’t a blogger, I’d be tuning in to follow favorite contestants, not to watch the judges week after week. And with Idol’s rapid-fire approach to these auditions, no one is standing out.
In fact, if I were grading American Idol Season 13 so far I’d give it a C–, even with a judging upgrade courtesy of Harry Connick Jr.
And here we go with singers in Detroit:
Keri Lynn Roche: The 24-year-old waitress says she’s a Detroit native and thinks a certain amount of “grit” comes from living in the city. She enters the audition room and is a bit starstruck by Jennifer Lopez, but quickly recovers. She’ll sing “Radioactive.”
Really nice tone. Keith asks for a song without the guitar, and Keri impresses with “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Jennifer’s reaction: “What a way to start the day.” And Keri is off to Hollywood with three yes votes. Very nice.
Julian Miller: He’s an 18-year-old shoe salesman from Detroit who says his music is influenced by Motown in spite of his youth. He, too, gets a wonderful reaction from the judges.
Samantha Furtwengler didn’t quite make it to Hollywood on American Idol. (FOX Photo)
Now we get a trio of contestants with show-biz names. Oops, perhaps that’s a duo of show-biz names and an oddball thrown in. Because the first singer we hear from is Samantha Furtwengler, 18, a student from Cincinnati, who says she’s always wanted to try out for Idol. She’s followed by Olivia Diamond, a 22-year-old student from Detroit, and Paris Primeau, a 16-year-old student from Macomb, Mich. With bright pink hair, Paris probably has the best voice of the trio. Only Samantha doesn’t advance.
Malaya Watson: The 15-year-old student form Southfield, Mich., plays the tuba. Folks often ask her how she carries around such a heavy instrument. Her response? “It’s just what I do.” No tuba in the Idol audition room, just Malaya, a touch of character and a nice big voice. Keith says he “loved it,” and Harry thanks her for doing such a great job. She advances unanimously.
Bryan Watt: He’s 29 and a nonprofit director from Thomasville, Ga., and he’s got a great look, which is probably why Jennifer prods him to “be great.” He sings Carrie Underwood’s “So Small,” which starts off great, but goes a little bit astray on the chorus. He leaves Jennifer speechless. Keith compliments him on a really smart song choice. He’s advancing unanimously as well.
Khristian Davis: She’s a 22-year-old server from Chicago, but tells us she plays in a band. Check out the checkered shoes with what look like bright pink flowers in them. All the better to match her top. She sings “Saving All My Love for You.” Keith calls it inconsistent. Jennifer gives her a yes, and Harry gives her a yes, allowing Khristian to squeak through to Hollywood. We usually don’t see that many tears from someone who makes it to Hollywood.
Jen Asciutto: She’s a 17-year-old high school senior from Farmington Hills, Mich., who performed in a band for four years starting at age 12 and writes her own music. She’ll sing “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. Big voice, but she seems to be oversinging. Wish she had selected something else. Keith loves her voice and says he can hear her personality in her tone. Jennifer likes the fact that she changed around the song. Jen also gets a unanimous yes for Hollywood.
Melanie Porras: She’s a 19-year-old administrative assistant from Kennesaw, Ga. Her dad was a musician and raised her as a single parent. He says they bonded over music. She sings “Fever” and reminds me a lot of Haley Reinhart, both in hair and tone. For a second song, she sings “Wanted Dead or Alive” a cappella. Jennifer says she could hear her making records. Harry says she’s on her way … to Hollywood with three yes votes.
Liam Newberry was told he needed more time before advancing on American Idol. (FOX Photo)
Liam Newberry: The 18-year-old from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, is a big fan of Harry Connick, shows up in bright blue pants and is going to sing a Frank Sinatra song — “The Way You Look Tonight.” Hey, this had the makings of a joke audition, but Liam has a pretty good voice. Just not a lot of flair. And Liam doesn’t advance.
Jade Lathan: The 20-year-old student from Monroe, Mich., enters the auditions room with a ring of flowers in her hair and a glow about her. She’ll sing Amy Winehouse. Harry calls her adorable and says she did some things he didn’t expect vocally. And Jade is off to Hollywood on a unanimous vote, too.
Sarah Scherb: She’s a 19-year-old student from Birmingham, Mich., and the gal we met in the opening. Lots of talented females are being featured on tonight’s show. Jennifer compliments her on having a nice voice and great look. Another young lady off to Hollywood with three yes votes.
Sydney Aterbridge: The 15-year-old student from Columbus, Ohio, is going to sing “Loving You.” The pretty young lady shows off nice range. Harry proclaims “there’s a lot of talent there.” And that news produces lots of high-pitched shrieks from Sydney.
Maurice Townsend: The 26-year-old is a music minister at a church in Grand Rapids, Mich., and has four children. He’ll sing “So High” by John Legend. We get to briefly meet his adorable children. And cutting back to the audition room, we find out that Maurice is the most talented male singer we’ve met so far tonight. Keith says he was just sitting back, enjoying the show. Harry calls it a “really good performance.” And Maurice’s children are invited into the audition room. And his oldest son gets to present Maurice with the golden ticket.
David Oliver Willis: The 22-year-old made it to the Vegas round last year before being cut. Since then, the lad from Mount Dora, Fla., says he’s opened a coffee shop with his wife. He’ll sing “Too Close.” With guitar, of course. Make that two straight guys who can really sing. Jennifer compliments him on the “great tone and presence” to his voice. And another unanimous vote to Hollywood.
Rakita and Karlita Gulledge: The 19-year-old twins are students from Detroit and talk in unison. They’ll sing “Listen.” They don’t sing in unison, which might be a blessing. And the twins are not advancing.
Blake Soles: The 22-year-old warehouse supervisor from Columbus, Ohio, doesn’t make it.
Brandy Neelly: The 18-year-old fitness center receptionist from Louisville, Ky., is another returning contestant from Season 12. She’s going to sing “Wanted.” Thanks for not bringing a guitar, Brandy. And thanks for pouring tons of emotion into the song. Keith says he really loved the performance. And Brandy is off to Hollywood again, kissing her golden ticket as she goes.
Ethan Harris: The 20-year-old copy center cashier from Garrattsville, N.Y., shows up proclaiming to be a big fan of Keith Urban. Then he proves it by having Keith sign a drawing Ethan made of the singer and by auditioning with one of Keith’s songs, “You’ll Think of Me.” Another guy with guitar, Ethan has a youthful voice, but here’s betting he makes it through. Jennifer says she likes his tone and finds it really pleasant. Ethan gets three yes votes and comes off as quite the gentleman when he accepts his golden ticket.
Next up: A trio of audition room dancers — Leah Guerrero, 21, a file clerk from Clinton Township, Mich., who says she’s been singing forever; Zach Day, 19, a tram driver from Stearns, Ky., who says he was born to do something with music; and Symphony Howlett, 24, a hostess from Miami, Fla., who says she has a lot of drive and sees Idol as a great opportunity. All three make it to Hollywood.
Melanie Porras was one of the many talented female singers featured on Wednesday’s episode of American Idol. (FOX Photo)
Ayla Stackhouse: The 17-year-old student hails from Detroit, but now lives in California with her aunt. She pleases Harry by telling him that growing up in Motown has influenced her music. She’ll sing “Wings.” Hey, another very talented female singer. In fact, one of the best auditions of the night. She has a nice spark to go along with a great voice. Harry says she has “star potential.” Jennifer also likes her “star quality.” Another Hollywood bound contestant. Harry predicts she could explode as the competition moves forward.
Eric Gordon: The lab technician, 27, from Richmond, Kansas, will audition with John Mayer’s “Perfectly Lonely.” Jennifer likes his groove and sense of timing. He gets three yes votes, too. In spite of the James Dean look and the puffed-up hair.
Xavier Calvillo: The 25-year-old machine operator from Dearborn Heights, Mich., will sing “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” He doesn’t advance.
Tony Delbarrio: The 29-year-old construction worker from Grand Rapids, Mich., also auditions with “Radioactive.” Let’s just say it’s not as good as what we heard earlier this evening. He doesn’t advance either.
Ryan Nisbett: The 24-year-old art student from Deckerville, Mich., certainly has a unique look. But give the guy credit. He’s a lean mean hipster machine after tipping the scales at 300 pounds when he was 21. He’ll sing “Angel.” Harry calls his voice “incredibly unique.” Ryan stumbles a couple of times, but gets a “big fat yes” from Keith Urban.
Marrialle Sellars: I take it this young lady is a chosen one, because she was featured in the season premiere. Now we hear her story, about how her dad encouraged her to pursue music. He passed away in 2008. She’s 17, and a student from Indianapolis. The girl with guitar does turn in a very nice performance of “Grenade.” And for a second time, we hear Harry predict she’ll be a nightmare for the other contestants on American Idol. Keith calls her a “fully formed artist” at age 17.
And Idol tells us they handed out 40 golden tickets in Detriot.
Up next, Atlanta.
And an hour-long audition episode.
Thank you, Idol.
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