AMERICAN IDOL AND NEW YORK CITY

American Idol continued on their quest for the best, in New York City. There were a number of pretty bad tryouts, as well as a few really good ones. I will touch on a few that made a marked impression on me

Ian – He wants to be a household name and expects nothing less. After watching him last night, I’m sure he will be but not for the reasons he initally wanted. He was over the top, extremely flamboyant with a chinchilla fur wrap around his t-shirt and his reason for wearing this? He wants people to know he’s well off. He’s off alright, off his rocker….lol He actually reminded me of a Pee Wee Herman type of character. …Made me laugh uncontrollably.

Sara – She is adorable and tells a story amid tears, that her Dad thinks she’s staying at a friend’s house in Ohio, He never seems to point out or give her credit for something she may be doing right and always focuses on what she’s doing wrong. He did not want her to try out for American Idol, but she needed to do it for herself. Her voice was lovely and the judges were impressed. Though Simon felt she wasn’t the best singer they had heard, she did have a different and distinct sound and it was unanimous that she go to Hollywood. Ryan dialed Sara’s phone number and put it on speaker phone, so we could listen, as she confessed to her Dad and let him know her happy news .All went well, as far as we know, with the promise that se was going to call them back in a little while. I truly hope her Dad supports her decision..

Ashante – She had been accepted to go to Hollywood for the past two American Idols, but never made it any further. She attempted a 3rd time last night….and the judges all said no. It wasn’t that she couldn’t sing…She definitely could and her range was incredible, but they felt she was too cabaret and old fashioned. I believe that because they felt she had two prior chances, someone else deserved the opportunity.

Isadora – She was ….I can’t even put into words how I felt about Isadora., The only description I can come up with is…..she sounded like she was having an orgasm, though a very bad interpretation of one…..lol I’ll leave it at that!

Amanda & Antonelli – They have been best friends since the 8th grade. Amanda is the more theatrical and told the judges she had vocal training.. She was okay…not really anything special, but with some hemming and hawing, they put her through. When Antonelli tried out, her voice was beautifulJ and though she felt inferior, because she hadn’t received formal training, Simon told her that her voice was even better than Amanda’s and she also had a great look! Off to Hollywood for the two friends!

Sara – Now this is a girl that needs intervention and counseling …..lol You had to wonder if she was real for a while, because of her soap boxing, but once you knew she was for real….it was mind boggling. Sara knows she is tone deaf, but tried to convince the judges, that you don’t have to be a singer, to win American Idol. She could be taught to sing yada yada yada. She actually took what was close to a temper tantrum over it….complete with tears. It was too too much! lol

Kia – Her voice was awesome and she sang a rendition of a gospel song, that would have had even the non-believers believing:) Simon was very impressed and said it was a great audition. She’s on her way to Hollywood!

Henry – Extremely handsome, unassuming, charismatic and the list could go on and on. His voice had me captivated and I can’t wait to see his progression, as AI moves forward. He deservedly received the golden ticket!

Jory – Very good voice – Simon said she was terrific and very professional and that she had great stage presence. He commented as to why can’t they all be like that? It would make his job a lot easier. Another hopeful on her way to Hollywood.

Rachel – She is training to be an opera singer. So they could know she is well rounded, she sang 3 different genres of songs and convinced the judges of her flexibility. Simon told her that all 3 of her, would be going to Hollywood!

Porcelana- She has trained like Rocky, in preparation of this tryout, by getting up every morning at 4am….running, exercising and dieting. She was definitely “pumped” in both body and spirit. She has a unique voice quality and rightfully, received the golden ticket.

Christopher – He gave me the chills with his song. I absolutely loved the quality of his voice. A comment was made that he resembled Justin Timberlake

Nicholas – I remembered Nicholas from being selected last year to go to Hollywood, but while he was there, the pressure and stress, became too much and he just couldn’t remember the words to the song (Buttercup), during the group trial.. He felt he couldn’t continue and left. The Judges remembered him, gave him another chance to try out and he was even better vocally, than he was the prior year. They all thought he was absolutely wonderful and he is on his way to Hollywood.

In all, 35 people were handed the prestigious golden ticket and the next stop for American Idol hopefuls, is Birmingham Alabama. I’m looking forward to the ride!

AMERICAN IDOL AND MEMPHIS

Well, it was another night of fun as the Idol judges ventured to Memphis, in search of the next American Idol. I didn’t know there were “speech and/or enunciation” problems in Memphis, but there seemed to be more than a few contestants who sounded like they had a hot potato in their mouths. Diagnosis anyone??? Watching Simon’s expressions, as he attempted to figure out what they were saying was priceless and I think my own expression could have been one of those “Kodak” moments….lol Here is a synopsis of what Memphis had to offer:

Tamika sang “Rock with You” There is no way she would have ever gotten her point across in this lifetime, since you couldn’t understand one word she said. Let me emphasize that…..not ONE word…lol I won’t begin to comment on her singing ability.

Chris sang Superstition and he was just plain bad – nothing further to add.

Travis – I can’t remember what he sang and I’m possibly having a mental block on it…wonder why? Lol He was just “off the top” and crazy

Christopher – Footloose – The judges felt he was doing bad karaoke and I had to agree.

Janita – Disco inferno - You felt like you were in the middle of hell after listening to her…lol

Robert – Burning Love – His version, has ruined my future listening of this song and I do mean forever. I will always carry a mental image of Robert attempting to sing this song and it’s not a pretty sight, nor was it for my ears either…lol

Frank – Heard It Through The Grapevine – He’s the Captain of a Cheerleading team and some band members, along with part of the cheerleading sqaud came with him for support. I liked his voice and was surprised that the judges didn’t. They said it was way over the top. I didn’t quite understand that, but then again….who am I? When you have an answer to this, please let me know, because I haven’t a clue….lol When Robert left the room, the band began playing. This infuriated Simon and after spouting off some of his thoughts, he actually went into the hallway and told them to shut up…lol

Danielle – Baby I Love You – Simon & Paula pushed her through to Hollwood! Randy wasn’t really impressed. I thought she was okay, but didn’t have a distinctive sound.

Sundance – Stormy Monday – His Dad is Roy Head and had a hit single in my day..... called Treat Her Right. He has a “teddy bear” quality to him, which is, in my opinion, an endearing quality. As Simon stated, he embodied the blues. His voice was perfection and you could feel his emotions just radiate, with each note. Simon commented, that if he didn’t make it to the finals, he’d be surprised. He had the best voice in every way, from the auditions so far and in Simon’s opinion….blew Taylor Hicks…out of the water!! What you say Simon???? Lol, but I have to agree. His voice is more powerful, he sings with extreme intensity and every note is “right on”. He, without a doubt, earned and received the “golden” ticket to Hollywood!

Sean – God’s Gonna Cut You Down – If you were to look at this guy, he resembles Castro…..fatigues, long hair, long beard etc….also reminded me of someone from the back woods. You'd have to see him, to know what I mean. A mental image, just doesn't cut it. If you were to base the conception that he could sing, on his appearance, you would say…no way! However, looks can be mighty deceiving. I liked his voice a lot. They Judges felt he was “soulful”, so off to Hollywood he goes!

Melinda – For Once In My Life – She was awesome!!! Simon said he was amazed how so many who had no singing ability at all, can walk into the room with all this confidence(that they shouldn’t really have) and here….someone with extreme talent, who has a spectacular voice, has no self confidence at all. Simon said she was brilliant and as for her going to Hollywood? Simon said 1 million times Yes!!

Phil – My Girl – This guy missed the birth of his second daughter, as she came into the world….the day of auditions at 4am. There was no way he wanted to leave Memphis, without a golden ticket and even more so, after this revelation. Phil has a unique quality in his voice that sets him apart from others. . He got his wish, received the golden ticket and is on his way to Hollywood!
Postscript:A tender moment was shared, when they showed a proud Dad, holding his beautiful baby girl, Micalah, in the hospital!

In all, 22 extremely happy people, were selected to go to Hollywood. The next stop is New York. Bring it on!

AMERICAN IDOL

It's back to that time of year again and I do mean "American Idol" time…..the "don't you dare call me, or come to my door time. Yes, I am hooked big time and I proudly admit it. There are far worse things I could be enamored with.

I'd have to agree with Simon on his audition take of Seattle. This was the worst by far! I mean the audition phase, regardless of what city they go to, are funny….sometimes pretty hysterical, but at the same time I feel sorry for these idol hopefuls. I watch and just can't believe that a family member, friend or someone who has at least the tiniest sense of reality, just doesn't put it on the line for some of these people. I mean, I'm all for the friends and families supporting someone in their quest for fame and fortune, but shouldn't these same friends and family members also speak the truth, to maybe have their loved one avoid being laughed at and ridiculed? I would hate to think that they too….see "wonderfulness", in the one they're supporting. I'd have to question the gene pool then….or maybe the water they're drinking? Lol I mean really….do some of the contestants realize what fools they're making of themselves? I can't believe that some people actually have this false sense of thinking that they are all that and a bag of chips….lol You have to wonder what they actually see when they look in the mirror and what they hear coming out of their mouths, when they supposedly sing….if that's what you want to call it. It certainly isn't what the rest of the world sees and hears. For the most part, it's very scary!

We get to see a few good singers during the audition process, who actually do make the cut to Hollywood and I call this the "teaser" for the show. For we see far fewer of the good ones, than we do the bad and the ugly. I remember hearing Taylor Hicks for the first time during his audition and I absolutely adored everything about him......his look and especially his voice. He had that "certain something", that isn't a carbon copy of anyone else. He became the American Idol and yes, I was part of his "Soul Patrol."

Along this line, On Tuesday night's audition show, there was a young man who is currently serving in the Navy. The fighting men and women of the USS Ronald Reagan spent weeks holding "Reagan Idol," to select one of their own to try out for season 6. Jarrod Fowler, a Navy specialist, earned the top honor and with good reason. The young man is not only extremely likeable, but he can sing. His take on "Bless The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts was amazing! Jarrod sang so effortlessly and with such feeling, that I felt chills running up and down my spine, but in the best way possible:) I can't wait to follow him through.

I look forward to next Tuesday and the continuing saga....as Randy, Paula and Simon make their way to Memphis, in search for "the" American Idol and you had better believe, that I will have my take on the show, with additional comments.

Beware! :)

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."

"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Maya Angalou

No truer words....were ever spoken!

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Though I am not a football expert, I have learned a lot over the years by watching and asking lots and lots of questions:)

I watched my Patriots play today and boy oh boy, it was a terrifically executed and exciting game. I love watching my favorite QB ....Tom Brady in action......but the interception and touchdown completed by James Sanders, was in my opinion, the definite creme' de la creme' highlight of the game!

Sorry Jets......Bye bye now:)

I can't wait for the game next Sunday, in San Diego. No chance Chargers, but give it your best shot! lol