Tonight’s theme  is inspirational songs in honor of American Idol Gives Back.  First up is Casey James singing “Don’t Stop Believing”.  The judges think he’s playing it too safe and needs to step out of his comfort zone.  Yep, all his songs are blending into one.

So, I went on the Internet to see about getting seats for tomorrow’s Idol Gives Back.  First of all, there are tons and tons of seats.  Then I looked at the price and I knew why.  Prices range from $300 to $50, but of course, there aren’t any $50 seats and the $100 seats are waaayyyy far from the stage.  You would think when they realized that the seats weren’t going to be filled that they would have come up with a discount or two.   I wonder how they are going to fill that audience, because chances are when you are watching tomorrow it will be full.

Lee Dewyze sang one of my favorite songs “The Boxer” a Simon and Garfunkel tune.  My father-in-law was a boxer and I always think of him when I hear this song.  The judges loved it.  They felt he was connected to the song and his version was current.  Simon actually used the word “brilliant”.

Singing “Better Days” by the Goo Goo Dolls is Tim Urban.  What can I say?  OUCH!!!!  The judges didn’t like him, but they didn’t hate him either.  I thought it was terrible.

Aaron Kelly chooses “I Think i Can Fly” for tonight.  The judges were mixed.  Simon said if he heard him singing that on the radio, he would have turned it off.  I’m not running to I-Tunes to buy it, sorry.

Sioban Magnus’s inspirational choice is “When You Believe”.  Remember that the judges continually tell the contestants to stay away from Mariah and Whitney.  Uh-oh.  I thought it was too high for her voice.

Stepping out of his comfort zone, Michael Lynche is singing “Hero”.  I really wish he would have sang this song without the guitar.  Once again, the judges were mixed.  Simon didn’t think the song was inspirational because it’s about Spiderman.

Closing out the show tonight is Crystal Bowersox singing without playing a musical instrument.  Finally!  She’s singing “People Get Ready”.  Simon said it was in a completely different class than any other contestant.  Crystal became emotional and didn’t quite finish her final notes and of course, she took me right with her.

Tonight, my favorites were Crystal and Lee.  If I can find a way to get to Idol Gives Back tomorrow, I will!  Bloggergal1