(aired 1/14/09)
Bunny: Is there another David Cook to be found in Missouri? We shall see.
Chelsea Marquardt has the look but not the voice. Simon says she sounds like a cat falling off the Empire State Building. It’s mean, but it’s true. Yikes. Sorry, Chelsea.
Ashley Anderson sings a song co-written by Simon Cowell and gets one of the title words wrong. Oops. Good thing she has a great voice; she gets a golden ticket.
Next up is Casey Carlson, singing “1000 Miles.” She’s not a fantastic singer but has a very pleasant voice and personality. She makes it to Hollywood.
Brian Hettler is bearded, classically trained, and has the music-is-my-life earnestness that is so common among the Idol throngs. Hoping for good things here … oh. Oh no. No, no, this won’t do. Utterly shocked by the chorus of nos from the judges, he walks off without a word.
James Michael Avance, Billy Vinson, Chris Jones, and Deandre Hopkins all strike out. Enough said.
Von Smith sings “Over the Rainbow.” He seems spent and near tears. That was a lot of vocal acrobatics, over the top in my opinion. But he gets all yeses.
Now it’s time to meet Season 7 fourth-place finisher Jason Castro’s brother, Michael Castro, who doesn’t appear to be quite certain how old he is. He claims Jason is girly. (Says the guy with the pink hair.) He has a totally different style from Jason but the same bewildered how-did-I-get-here look. It’s a unanimous … yes. This oughtta be interesting.
Vaughn English is dressed like a banana, holds a banana, and sings about bananas. Insert line from “Hollaback Girl” here. Buh-bye.
Welder Matt Breitzke has an imposing physical presence, but his delivery of “Ain’t No Sunshine” is heartfelt and pleasing. He gets through on a 3-1 vote and it brings the big man to tears.
Jasmine Joseph murders “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The judges are speechless. That’s not good.
Jessica Furney lives with her 93-year-old grandma. She doesn’t look like the type who would tackle a Janis Joplin song, but she does, and she’s good. Someone else is going to have to take care of gram for a while.
Asia McClain and younger sister India Morrison start by rapping together, but then they do separate auditions. Asia doesn’t make it but India does. Asia is so happy for her sister she doesn’t feel sorry for herself, which is refreshing.
Jamar Rogers doesn’t have a bad voice, but he tries too hard. Just calm down and sing, natural-like. He will get another chance in Hollywood. Meanwhile…
His best friend, Danny Gokey, is a music teacher. He has the saddest story so far, hands down. Four weeks ago, his wife died of a heart condition. I like him, especially when, after heading the wrong way out of the room, says, “I never wanted to be that guy who goes the wrong way.” But in regards to Idol, he’s going the right way.
Anoop Desai comes in and brings a different vibe to the competition. Simon has to be reminded that this is about the singing, not the geeky clothes, but admits he has a good voice. “Noop Dawg” gets four yeses.
We hear “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” as never before and hope never to hear again. Moving on.
Andrew Lang brought cheerleaders to warm up the judges. That’s a new one. Not sure if it worked. He has a good voice but is a victim of the “I can do lots of runs and that makes me a great singer” mentality, which is too bad. He might have made this very interesting.
Middle school band director Asa Barnes does a Michael Jackson song. I like him even before he begins. After hearing the singing, I think I’d like him better if he was in a lower octave, but he’s got skills. He’s in.
Michael Nicewonder’s mother doesn’t think he can sing. He performs two original songs. Sorry, Michael, mama knows what she’s talkin’ ‘bout.
Dennis Brigham is desperate. Very, very, very, very, very desperate. But likeable. After lots of begging, he squeaks through.
Tackling Minnie Riperton’s “Lovin’ You” is Mia Conley. Will they allow her to get to the money note? Unfortunately, yes. Ouch. It’s a no.
Mom of three Lil Rounds is next. I like the way she presents herself. She also comes off as humble, which is nice. She is heading for Hollywood; good for her.
So 27 people in total from Kansas City are moving on to the Hollywood round.
PREDICTIONS
Bunny: Best tonight were Lil Rounds and Ashley Anderson.
Burke: I liked Asa Barnes and Danny Gokey.
Prognosticats: We like Jessica Furney and Matt Breitzke.
So there you have it. See you next week for more audition madness!
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