The First 12

Just when you think you have this show all figured out they throw you a curve. This season there will not be elimination rounds, but selection rounds. The top girl and boy will make it to the top 12 and the person who earns the 3rd most votes. After the top 9 have been selected, there will be a wild card pick from each night. So this really is a make or break it night, and I actually think this method is a little less cruel then being the one that didn't get picked. As Ryan introduces the judges, he reminds us that this is Kara's first live broadcast. She confesses to some nerves, but also says that this show has changed her life.
Let's get it going:
1. Jackie Tone, age 28 from New York is first up and she chooses an Elvis classic, "Little Less Conversation". From the start she is comfortable and having a blast on stage, but I am NOT digging the red belt and the black spandex pants. She has a darling personality, but the vocal really doesn't wow me. If I am being honest, I wouldn't pay money to see this girl. Randy is not blown away by her vocal, but thought she was very entertaining. Kara told her she could work a stage and she showed who she was as an artist. Paula said "you got me up dancing", which was the last coherent thing she said. Simon thought Jackie played the part of a clown and didn't do herself any favors. After each performance the parents or significant other's of the contestants are waiting with Ryan, and Jackie is so darling with her parents that I really won't mind if she gets a second shot.
2. Ricky Braddey, a 26 year old from North Carolina who I am not sure I have seen before right now. Have I? He picks "A Song for you" and it is really a gorgeous vocal. When I closed my eyes, it was one of those that could easily be recorded. Problem is it didn't have enough spark for me. Randy said "this is the start of Season 8!" Kara told him he should feel really good about it, he killed it. Paula was so glad America was able to see what he could do. Simon brings everyone back to reality and tells Ricky he is a great singer who lacks confidence and charisma.
3. Alexis Grace, our 21 year old stay at home mom from Memphis, TN is next and she blows me away with "Never Loved a Man" by Aretha Franklin. I can't take my eyes off of this little girl, she has a command of the stage, and such a mature voice. Randy tells her she found the soul. Kara said it was like she released something from inside. Paula struggles with her thoughts, something like-your petite..big voice...Simon tells her best performance by a mile and that she reminded him of Kelly Clarkson.
4. Brent Keith, the 29 year old Ohio native decides to go country and sings "Hicktown". He is a darling man with cute dimples and a great smile, but this song is just awful. It isn't his voice I guess, it is just the dumbest, simplest song that I will never remember tomorrow. Randy thought he would make a great country singer, but Kara thought he had much more in him than what he showed everyone. Paula thought the song was safe, but she could see him singing country music. Simon said what I was thinking, "you had one shot and a nice voice, but the song was forgettable and you blew it." Brent doesn't think country fans will feel that way. Chris? Anyway, I already have moved on. If that is what he plans on selling, I won't ever be buying it.
5. Stevie Wright, the 17 year old who amazed me with her mature delivery of "At Last" in her audition, came out with a Taylor Swift song "You Belong with Me". It is bad from the word go. She can't control her nerves so her voice is all over the place and she can't keep her breath. Randy tells her it was not hot. Kara tells her she that this song completely confused her because she looks like someone having an identity crisis. Paula said the song was wrong for her. Simon lays it out for her, it was out of tune and her nerves got the better of her, but she should chalk this up as gaining experience that she can learn from. I have to hand it to her. She stays smiling and she stays composed, even after the hug from mom.
6. Anoop Desai, the 22 year old from Chapel Hill selects "Angel of Mine", which is kind of a weird choice, even for him. He has a beautiful spirit that you connect with when he sings, but the song is not all that inspiring. Randy liked it but thought it was a little sharp. Kara felt his connection. Paula thought it had a Brian McKnight feel. Simon thought it was too serious but hoped his massive appeal earned him another chance.
7. Casey Carlson is the darling 20 year old from Minneapolis who looked like she had it all going on in the interview, with the hair and make up, and then she started singing "Every Little Thing HE does is Magic", and totally blew any chance she had. It was so painful to watch her goofy facials and her weird dance moves that I had to turn away. What a shame, because the vocal itself wasn't awful, but the performance was so wrong. Randy said it was like karaoke. Kara said everything about it was wrong. Paula said the phrasing was weird and she just shouldn't have touched that song. She is exquisite but she needs to watch how she pulls faces and winks. Simon said the winking was the least of her problems, the song was terrible. Casey holds it together long enough to hug her mom and sit on the couch with Ryan.
8. Michael Sarver, our 27 year old oil rig roughneck from Texas came out next and picks "I don't wanna be" which I love, but I don't love it on him. The vocal is rough, and so is the awkward movement on stage. He sang better at his first audition. Randy said he likes him better singing soul. Kara said it was a crowd-pleaser, but not his best performance. Paula thought he did a really good job (go figure). Simon said it is not his best vocal, but that he hopes people pick up the phone and give him another chance, because he is one of those people that he would love to see get the opportunity.
9. Anne Marie Boscovich, age 22 from Nashville was next and performed "Natural Woman" of all songs. The vocal is actually very pretty, and she does finish on a high note. It just is a song that makes her seem like a much older girl. Randy said he didn't think it was a good song choice. Kara wanted to see her sing something more current, like "Love Song" to which Anne Marie made the mistake of saying "Oh, sing something not as good?". This made Simon's eyes get really big and caused Paula to say, "well this is awkward". Paula thought her vocal was better than Hollywood week. Simon said she was like a hotel singer. She wasn't good enough for that song. Her mom has a hard time, but Anne Marie keeps smiling.
10. Stephen Fowler, the 26 year old Ohio native who walked off the stage Hollywood week decided on "Rock With You". What? What is wrong with this group? I guess this is why none of them are stars yet. He starts off really flat, and even though he hits his stride at a certain point, the song rings false and cornball.
Randy said it was not the right song choice. Kara said she got more emotion from the song he forgot. Paula wished he had sung that song and proved he could do it. Simon said it was pointless.
11. Tatiana Del Toro, the resident crazy 24 year old from San Juan came out very "demure" and poised and actually didn't do a horrible job with "I'm Saving all my love" Why can't she just be 100% awful. Randy said she had moments. Kara was trying to figure out where she fits in with this industry. Paula said she is the most talked about contestants on the show, and that the song had beautiful moments. Simon said she is a drama queen and that no one wants to be famous as much as she does. She said "I am marketing myself". Then she walked up and kissed some cousins, (not real ones apparently, but she isn't interested in telling us who they really are). She then tells America that this is her dream and please vote for her.
Let's hope vote for the worst hasn't tuned in yet.
12. Danny Gokey, the 28 year old widower from Milwaukee decides to sing "Hero" to people out there who have some hard thing in their life they need to overcome. It is predictably a very commanding performance, with everything coming together, a great vocal and a whole lot of sincerity and charisma. Randy said it was blazing hot! Kara told him he was a hero. Paula said she had two words with hyphen "sold-out arenas" which is actually three words.Simon said good song, great singer, but he wasn't quite going nuts like the other three. He did enough for this night.
Top Girl-Alexis Grace
Top Boy-Danny Gokey
3rd-either Anoop Desai or Anne Marie Boscovich
Tune in tonight.....