Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The number of golden ticket recipients from each American Idol audition city far exceed the number of contestants we meet on the show.

Here are some of the talented male singers we didn’t meet during the San Antonio audition episode.

I’ve included a blurb on each with information gleaned from their Road to Hollywood videos on americanidol.com.

In cases where a video of them singing or performing could be located, I’ve also included that.

If you know of existing YouTube videos for a contestant who doesn’t have one below, simply let me know and I’ll add it.

And to hear more from American Idol’s other Hollywood bound contestants, head here.

Alexander “Trumpet” Ray Zapata

Alexander admits he just barely made it past the San Antonio auditions. When he performed his first song, he got one thumbs up and three thumbs down from the judges. The supporter was Nicki Minaj. Somehow, he got to sing a second song. And managed to sway the judges’ minds. From San Antonio himself, Alexander says he’s inspired by soul, funk, rhythm and blues music. Other genres just don’t inspire him, he says. His favorite past Idol is Christian artist Mandisa. “She’s a fighter too. She’s a survivor. She’s a conqueror. That’s exactly what I want to be.” He adds that he has confidence in himself and a belief in music and he believes “that’s all you really need to be an American Idol.”

“Tears in Heaven”
For more from “Trumpet,” head here.

Clint Belew

This singer from San Antonio, Texas, says he drew his initial musical inspiration from his mother, back when he was young and went to church with her. “She’d always be singing on stage, and I always thought it was really awesome. I definitely looked up there and felt that I would like to be on the stage one day.” We didn’t get to see Clint’s audition, but he says in his Road to Hollywood interview that he got four yes votes for Hollywood. His favorite past Idol is Kelly Clarkson, partly because of the successful career she’s crafted since the show. He sees himself as someone who’s original, has a lot of drive and someone who likes “to bring a lot of life and energy to the party now and then.”

No video located.

Jose Salinas

Jose is from Kansas City, Missouri, and says he auditioned for Idol with hopes of shedding his “shredding job.” His mother is his inspiration. He said she’s done modeling, which convinced him that he should pursue his dreams if she pursued hers. As for what sets him apart on Idol, he has a ready answer. “I think I could be that one versatile artist that could sing from R&B to country, to hip-hop to rock, to anything they can throw at me. I’ll do my best … Plus, I can throw in a little Latin flavor with some Spanish here and there.” His favorite past Idol contestant is Ruben Studdard for being genuine and having such an amazing voice.

No video located.

Kevin Harris

Kevin says this is his second time auditioning for Idol, admitting his first attempt was a while back. But it sounds like he’s made wise use of the time in between. He says he has done background work on country albums, pop albums, R&B albums, even a little hip-hop and Motown. “I think versatility will keep me ahead of some singers who are stuck in one genre,” says the guy from Mongtomery, Ala. He says his passion for music comes from his family. His brother is a singer-songwriter. His sister and his parents also sing. “It does run in the family,” Kevin says. His favorite past Idol is a fellow singer from Alabama — Ruben Studdard.

No video located.

Michael Miller

What makes this young man from Vidor, Texas, a potential American Idol? “I’m super party,” he says in his Road to Hollywood video. “And I can sing a little big. There’s that.” As for the party, Michael says he’s “really good at finding a good time in the middle of nowhere.” That might serve him better if the next two rounds on American Idol weren’t in Hollywood and Las Vegas. Regardless, he says his mom provides a good deal of his musical inspiration, saying “she sang my entire childhood.” His favorite past Idol contestant is Carrie Underwood, for her talent, her success and the way she’s handled it. As for Michael’s aspirations — he’d love to make a career of music, of course.

“Hallelujah”

Nicholas McCord

This young man from Arlington, Texas, credits his grandfather for being his musical inspiration. “Back when I was 12, he taught me how to play music,” Nicholas says. “I picked up a guitar, he taught me how to do that. Then vocally, I started to teach myself. Sucked a lot. And started to realize I was sucking and needed to get better.” Despite confessing to feeling a lot of nerves, he must not have sucked during his audition. He said he got good feedback, especially from Mariah Carey, who complimented him on a “soothing” voice. That voice isn’t what some would expect, Nicholas says. People look at him and expect a rocker’s edge. But he says he has a “very R&B, jazz voice.” At the same time, he considers that voice “the second part of me.” The first? His heart and desire to help others, he says.

“Daughters”
For more from Nicholas, head here.

Nigel Slaughter

This young man from San Antonio auditioned to fulfill a promise to himself. While watching Season 11 of Idol, he promised himself he’d try out if the show held auditions in San Antonio. Guess what happened? As for inspiration, Nigel points to his family. After all, his grandfather had a jazz band. His grandmother sang in the chuch choir. His mother had a gospel group called Greater Voices. “Music is just a big part of our family,” Nigel says. “And it’s something that has gotten me through the toughest times.” His favorite past Idol is Carrie Underwood, for her talent and the remarkable transformation she underwent on the show. As for his music, he thinks he’ll bring a different style to the competition. “I love that indie, neo-soul kind of vibe,” he says, “and you haven’t really seen that a lot on the show.

No video located.

Simeon Montgomery

From Katy, Texas, Simeon says his inspiration comes from his father. “The way he speaks to me and the way he talks to me is, ‘You can do anything,'” Simeon explains. “That right there instills something in me. ‘You know what, I can do something.'” And right now, what he wants to do is become the next American Idol. He says he’s very much into being himself and not allowing other people to convince him to change. “I’m myself,” he proclaims. “Nobody can do myself better than myself.” His favorite past Idol is Kelly Clarkson, who won Idol more than 10 years ago. “Her career is still out and banging,” he notes. “I have to give it up to the girl.”

Prayer and song:

Steven Curd

Steven, of San Antonio, has a simple goal: He wants to put his name on the map. And for a singer, what better route than American Idol? He says he likes to affect the mood of the audience when he performs and thinks that power, that ability to influence an audience “is what keeps me going.” As for what makes him unique, he points to his smile and personality. “I’m very humble with what I do,” Steven says. “I don’t think most artists are like that.” His favorite past Idol performer is Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. And Steven thinks he could win Idol because his “soul and passion for music is bigger and better than anybody elses.”

“Titanium”
For more from Steven, head here.

Tyler Craig

As a performer, Tyler couldn’t help but have an interest in American Idol. After all, his grandmother is from Burleson, Texas, home of Kelly Clarkson, the original Idol. He says he still remembers how Burleson — much smaller then than it is today — went “crazy” over her participation and success on the show. As for himself, he talks about how high school was a battle for him and he auditioned partly because he succeeded, without going into any more detail. But he thinks he can show others than they’re capable of overcoming obstacles as well. He thinks his personality could help him as well. “I’m very energetic, very hyper,” Tyler admits. “But, at the same time, I have a lot of soul.” He’s from Corpus Christi, Texas.

Vernon Futrell

This gent from Seaboard, N.C., says he has four singing nieces who are called The Singing Divas. And they look up to him. “Every day, they watch me. And I feel like I want to be the greatest role model I can be.” Part of that means pursuing your dreams, and that’s something Vernon thinks he can teach to his nieces and to others who watch him on Idol. Another thing that might help set him apart on Idol is his personality. Vernon says he’s funny. “It’s like kazam, kaboom. I just love life and enjoy every moment of it.” When it comes to past Idols, he enjoys Season 3 winner Fantasia most, and not only because she too hails from North Carolina. Vernon says he admires the soul and passion she pours into her performances.

No video located.