Idol Chatter & Voice Views

American Idol has two more nights of music coming up on Sunday and Monday.

And over the course of the two nights, the Top 10 will become a Top 7, with a bit of a twist.

Let’s go through it night by night.

On Sunday, Idol will host Ladies Night, featuring Miranda Lambert, with the contestants, I presume, performing songs made popular by female artists.

At the end of the night, two singers go home, leaving a Top 8.

On Monday, Idol brings back one of the themes that has typically led to a great night of music, the Judges Song Contest.

The Top 8 have a pick of three songs to perform, one recommended by each of the judges. Ryan keeps score to see which judge’s song suggestions are picked most often.

Two singers will be in jeopardy as the lowest vote-getters at the end of the night. But only one will go home because the judges will get to save one contestant.

For fans, that means two more nights of live voting. So be ready to vote for your favorites during the show.

Here’s how Idol Chatter is ranking the singers heading into those shows.

See also …
American Idol annihilates The Voice in ratings battle
Song by song grades for the Top 12
Song by song grades for the Top 14

1. Thunderstorm Artis, 29, Nashville, Tenn. (2): He had to move up after delivering two more stellar performances Sunday and Monday. The only downside, the former finalist from The Voice is almost making this look too easy for him.

2. Jamal Roberts, 26, Meridian, Miss. (3): Here’s betting Jamal just sitting on a stool and pouring his heart out while covering “Heal” to end Monday’s show raised his stock in the eyes of Idol fans.

3. Canaan James Hill, 17, Dallas, Texas (1): Carrie gave him some great advice Sunday: Canaan needs to step out of his comfort zone and show more versatility. He had two chances to do it the past two shows and picked gospel songs both times.

4. John Foster, 18, Addis, La. (7): This week’s biggest riser, John’s been on a roll since delivering that emotional original on the Top 20 show. Being a male country singer on a show where fans adore them doesn’t hurt.

5. Gabby Samone, 22, Baltimore, Md. (6): Fans love contestants who show growth arcs over the course of the season, and that’s just what Gabby is doing. Her Monday performance of “A Song for You,” with a stripped back arrangement, might have been her best so far.

6. Breanna Nix, 25, Denton, Texas (4): Breanna drops a couple of spots, less because of anything she’s doing wrong and more because of what other contestants are doing right. I’d recommend she pluck heartstrings every chance she gets to set herself apart from the show’s belters.

7. Slater Nalley, 17, Atlanta, Ga. (5): What I just wrote for Breanna — ditto for Slater because he’s been solid the last two shows, closing one and opening the other. I still can’t believe how comfortable he seems on stage at age 17.

8. Mattie Pruitt, 16, Engleville, Tenn. (8): Immensely talented for her age, Mattie needs to create a moment, and she probably needs to do that in one of the next two shows before she runs out of time. Trying to outbelt some of the show’s bigger voices isn’t the route to take.

9. Kolbi Jordan, 26, Tulsa, Okla. (13): She showed a bit more restraint — and an absolutely loving tone — on “Over the Rainbow” Monday night. Perhaps Filo’s elimination will convince her oversinging might draw praise from the judges, but doesn’t necessarily translate into votes.

10. Josh King, 24, Charlotte (14): Call him the escape artist because he just did something no Idol contestant had in three years. He got a wild card spot from the judges, then advanced in the next two shows. Delivering an emotional performance was the key Monday, so he should keep on tapping into that strategy.