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 the male singers we didn’t meet during the New York 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.

Alex Federici

He’s from Chappaqua, New York, and had a simple reason for auditioning for American Idol at age 28, in his last year of eligibility. “I promised myself when Idol first came on that if certain dreams of mine had not come to fruition, I may as well go all out and go for it.” Alex says he’s been performing for most of his life and remembers putting on shows for his family as early as age 4. He describes his music as “rocksy and bluesy in a way that “from my perception, is not typical of this show.” His favorite past Idol is Phillip Phillips.

“Wagon Wheel”

Chris Watson

Chris says his aunt inspired him musically. And though she died about 10 years ago, the guy from Dover, Del., has a daily reminder of her support, a bracelet of hers that he still wears “pretty much every day, but definitely when I’m performing to remember her spirit … It helps remind me even when I don’t believe in myself, there’s people that still believe in me.” His favorite past Idol is Jessica Sanchez. He says he’s never seen someone that young and that small “belt like she can.” Oh, and he already feels like an American Idol of sorts because “I get up every day and do what I what to do, which is music.” After all, that he says, is the epitome of the American dream.

“Our Identity”

Christian Foti

This guy from Galloway, N.J., is just 17, but describes himself as “an old soul.” That’s because of the music he likes to perform. A hint: His inspirations include Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack. “Why not learn from the best,” Christian says. “I sing jazz, big band standards. I’m not the normal 17-year-old kid who does hip-hop, rap, Justin Bieber, One Direction.” It’s not surprising that his favorite past Idol contestant is Casey Abrams, another jazz musician. “They haven’t really had a 17-year old jazz crooner yet (as a winner),” Christian says. “Hopefully, I’ll be the first one.”

“That’s Life”

Christian Lopez

Christian’s interest in music stems from an unusual source. He recalls going on vacation to a ranch in South Dakota when he was young. Specifically, he remembers the guitarists and singers who would get on stage after “fake cowboy shows” to perform for the audience. “They just blew my mind,” says the guy from Martinsburg, W.Va. Christian says he hopes to bring something new to Idol, partly by focusing on the “passion” in whatever song he is singing. His favorite past contestant is Phillip Phillips. He especially liked the way the Season 11 winner stayed true to himself, regardless of the advice he got from others.

“Peace in the Valley”

Jesse Lawrence

Jesse says he’s been on his own for most of his life and says that has “shaped the artist in me to have zero fear.” He hails from Newark, N.J., and admits it “took everything, heaven and Earth, to keep it together after he got his golden ticket because he was so excited. As inspirations, he points to Michael Jackson, James Brown, Usher and Britney Spears. “They all have it from the vocals to the presence,” Jesse says. “That’s what I try not to mimic, but create with my own energy when I step on the stage. ” His favorite past contestant is Carrie Underwood and he tried out for Idol not for a flash of fame, but because he says he wants a long career in music.

No video located.

Kareem Clark

Kareem says he feels like he’s “destined for greatness” because of his musical ability. The guy from Asbury Park, N.J., says the compliments he receives from people around him keep him going. “I can go anywhere, no matter what type of crowd it is, and I attract a lot of people to me,” he says. “I think that’s a good thing.” He says Fantasia is his favorite past Idol contestant. Sometimes her performance brought him to the verge of tears, and he’d like to have the same impact on people with his music.

No video located.

Keith Claiborne

This Farrell, Pa., native says he feels like he has “something to prove to America,” especially after advancing to Hollywood with the blessing of all four judges. His musical inspiration is gospel artist Kim Burrell. He describes her as a new age artist in terms of “fusing jazz and gospel together and creating a different sound. And her presentation is phenomenal.” As for himself, he says he’s not afraid of taking risks as a singer. “I am raw, candid, in your face, and I have so much personality I need to share with the world,” Keith says. His favorite past Idol is gospel singer George Huff, the last male standing on Idol Season 3.

Holy Spirit

Mark LaDuke

This Jacksonville, Fla., native says he loves Idol and drew his musical inspiration from his mother, who was a singer-songwriter. We didn’t see his audition, but he says Nicki Minaj complimented him on his falsetto. “She said it was really pleasant and that she thoroughly enjoyed it,” Mark says. His favorite past Idol performer is Adam Lambert, who he calls the “best male vocalist of my generation.” Adds Mark: “If he needs a background singer anytime soon, this guy would do it.”

“Love the Way You Lie”

Nick Boddington

Nick says he felt a sense of relief getting his golden ticket. “They gave me a huge chance last year, and I wasn’t sure I’d get another one.” For those who don’t remember, this guy from Memphis, Tenn., made it all the way to Vegas last year before getting cut. “I’ve gotta redeem myself,” he says. Nick adds that he’s the only person in his family to pursue music, but his family is still inspirational because of the support they’ve shown him. He says he has a wide range of musical tastes and thinks he can still produce something Top 40-ish. His favorite past contestant is Reed Grimm, who made the semifinals in Season 11.

“Honeybee” (original)

Nick Rodriguez

Nick calls his mom his biggest inspiration. “She came to America with absolutely nothing from the Dominican Republic,” says the young man from Bordentown, N.J. “And now she’s basically following the American dream.” He was particularly proud of what he heard from Mariah Carey in the audition room. “She said I had something they were looking for all day,” Nick recalled. As for what makes him unique, he says he has the ability to sing lots of different kinds of music, and can even pull off opera when the need arises. “I’m sure I won’t have to do that on American Idol,” he adds, smiling. He says Kelly Clarkson is his favorite past Idol.

“How Glory Goes”

Van Dimopoulos

It might have been 10 years since Clay Aiken graced the Idol stage, but Van remembers it well. Particularly his final performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” “That just blew my mind,” the guy from Scotch Plains, N.J. says. And that was the moment he knew he someday wanted to try out for American Idol. Van says he thinks he has a distinct voice that will set him apart from the other contestants. He describes it as a “smooth, pop-jazz” sound. “I think that brings a new element to the show.” he says.

No video located.

Zach Birnbaum

This young man from Cherry Hill N.J. professes to being a big fan of Adam Lambert who loves the rock group Queen. So one of his most memorable moments was when Adam performed with Queen on the Season 8 Idol finale. Zach says he’s always felt like a performer “because it’s everything I love to do.” And while he thinks his look and his sound is unique, he says it isn’t so different that it takes listeners out of “their comfort zone.”

“Bulls on Parade”