We’re finally down to the nitty-gritty on American Idol!  The top 13 performed for the first time tonight.  The featured artist was Michael Jackson.  Since there are 13 performers, two will be eliminated this week.

As I’m sure you all know, word on the street is that the first performer and the last performer are always “killer”.  Tonight’s first was Lil Rounds.  All the judges seemed to like her but of course Simon had to throw in that he didn’t like the way she was dressed.  Those kind of comments always make me shrug because first of all what does that have to do with anything and second of all, American Idol has people that take care of the performers’ clothes and makeup, don’t they?

Scott McIntyre was back in his element singing and playing the piano.  His Michael Jackson song choice was a little known one titled “Keep The Faith”.  He did his thing and the judges couldn’t find anything to criticize in his performance.  Well, except for Simon who said he hated the song.  But, it’s rare for Simon not to say something negative, isn’t it?

Singing PYT (Pretty Young Thing) was Danny Gokey. I thought he kicked serious butt!  PYT could have turned out kinda dorky, but he didn’t let it.  It was obvious that he gave his all to this song and all the judges agreed he did a great job.

Fourth up tonight was Michael Sarver with “You’re Not Alone”.  Once again the judges were raving. He’s definitely consistent and chooses songs that showcase his talent.

Simon tells Jasmine Murray that she needs to be herself and lighten up a bit.  He says she should sing younger songs, but watch when she does, he’ll say that the song isn’t right for her. The other judges say positive things.  Hmm, they’ve said positive things all night so far.

Kris Allen sang and played guitar to “Remember the Time”.  Kara mentioned that Kris spent part of the week helping the other performers.  Do nice guys finish last?  I’m sure all those screaming girls are screaming No.

Allison Iraheta rocked out to Michael’s “Give In To Me”.  This is another MJ song that I’m not familiar with.  But Allison does a great job on it.  I like her voice tone, that scratchy rocker thing she has going on.  The judges like her and Simon says she’s always true to herself but then says she needs to lighten up.  Yep, same thing he said to the other 16-year-old.

Anoop Desai picks “Beat It”.  Uh-oh.  I don’t even want to hear what the judges have to say after this one.  “Karaoke”  “Horrible”  “Stupid”  “Disconnected”  Ouch.

Singing “Never Can Say Goodbye” was Jorge Nunez.  Hopefully, he won’t have to say goodbye!  I thought the judges were pretty rough on him.  I didn’t think he was as bad as they made him sound.  But the consensus seemed to be that the song was too old-fashioned and boring.

Megan Joy did a ditzy “Rockin’ Robin”. She’s pretty sexy looking and she has a great voice, but her performance was…what can I say?  Ditzy.

I’ve been waiting all night for Adam Lambert.  He chose Michael Jackson’s “Black and White”.  Paula said he’s going all the way to the finals.  Simon said he is in a totally different league than the rest of the performers.  Randy said Adam is the most current and can make a record right now and sail to number one.  Kara said he hit amazing notes and that she hopes Michael Jackson is listening.  I quoted the judges because I don’t want you to think I’m all about Adam.  But I am!

Matt Giraud’s rendition of “Human Nature” highlights his range.  He accompanies himself on the piano and gives a solid performance.  Once again, all judges are in agreement and the conclusion is positive.

So before we check out our last performer Alexis Grace, let’s summarize.  The judges have liked all the performers tonight except for Anoop and Jorge.  That’s 10 positives and 2 negatives so far.  That doesn’t happen too often at the start of an American Idol season.  Did the addition of Kara mellow them out?  Or is this season of American Idol filled with talent?

Last but no way least is Alexis Grace performing a get down and dirty version of “Dirty Diana”.  This rocker girl did a great job.  Randy and Simon thought it was a bit over the top.  I think you kinda have to be to stay noticed–especially in the beginning.

So stay tuned tomorrow for who will be eliminated.  My guess is Jorge, Anoop, Jasmine and Kris Allen are at the bottom.  Please comment and let me know what you think.  Love, Bloggergal1

Now that the top 13 American Idol finalists have been chosen, I thought I’d dig up some facts on each of them.  Just remember I picked up all the information from the Internet.  I have no guarantees that every single fact is true. Know more?  Please comment!

Adam Lambert

• Has been performing and singing since he was a child.
• Starred in a production of Wicked along with a number of other musicals.
• Described on the Internet as “flamboyant”and “staged”
• Will his outrageous Internet pictures influence America’s votes?

Allison Iraheta

• Won a singing competition two years ago on the Spanish Language TV station Telemundo.
• Los Angeles native.
• Being compared to Kelly Clarkson.

Alexis Grace

• Has a Prayer website dedicated to her.
• She’s auditioned for AI three times…first when she was 16, again at age 19 and now.
• A twenty-one year old single mom from Memphis Tennessee.

Anoop Desai

• Created a ton of Internet buzz for being “lucky number 13”.
• Is a former UNC Clef Hanger (University of North Carolina A cappella group).
• Honor student at UNC and wrote a 60-page thesis on “Barbecue”.

Danny Gokey

• Started a foundation in honor of his wife titled Sophia’s Heart Foundation.  The foundation aims to support children suffering from various mental, physical and emotional issues.
• A church music director, Danny’s wife passed away only a few months ago.

Jasmine Murray

• Attends the Mississippi School of Arts.
• Holds the title of 2007 Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen.

Jorge Nunez

• Has the support of Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez.
• Would love to work with Brittany Spears.

Kris Allen

• College student from Arkansas.
• Has had very little on-screen American Idol time.
• Plays the ukulele.
• Has performed “Over the Rainbow” similar to Jason Castro–check it out on You Tube.

Lil Rounds

• Lil is NOT short for Lillian; it‘s her birth name.
• Lil is the mom of three children ages 5, 3 and 2.
• Her maternal grandfather used to play with B.B. King.

Matt Giraud

• Learned to play the piano on his own.
• He worked as a dueling piano player.
• He cannot read music.
• His nickname from childhood is White Chocolate.

Megan Joy Corkrey

• Prefers Megan Joy without the Corkrey because that’s her ex’s name.
• Has a castle “fairy tale” tattoo that fills her entire arm.
• Spearheading a fund raising effort for single mothers.

Michael Sarver

• His first name is Jeremy.
• He’s an oil rig worker from Texas.
• Married with two children.
• He’s a music director at his church.

Scott MacIntyre

• Born almost completely blind.
• He plays the piano, guitar and drums.
• Laughed when Ryan Seacrest made the mistake of trying to high five him early in the auditions.
• A regular singer at Scottsdale Bible Church.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!  Bloggergal1

And, the formula could change week to week. In fact, it will.

The Idol audition is not only about offering great vocals but also about emitting potential star power. Each year, we watch these, and then when some of the contestants become successes, we wonder how they went from Point A to Point B.

What I’d submit is that this “star power” either exists or it doesn’t, and not even our fairest judges always recognize it.

Check out Chris Daughtry’s Season 5 audition:

Are you kidding me? Simon said, “No?” No charisma? No stand-alone star power?

Of course, in retrospect, we understand now that Chris Daughtry is the single most important Idol contestant of all time. Not the best-selling yet, and even with the controversy he’s embroiled in regarding his comments to Rolling Stone, it doesn’t lessen the fact that Idol must focus on pushing those with an edge to the forefront.

So, as I examine each audition, I’m looking for both vocal prowess and edge, with a focus on whether or not I think the contestant has star viability.

And that means, for me, Kady Malloy of Houston doesn’t even make my Top 5 list. Sure, her impersonation of Britney Spears was uncanny. And, yes, her “actual” vocals on “Unchained Melody” were stellar, and most of America, I think, believes she was the standout of the week. However, making her the next American Idol would reinforce critics who say that the show has no real impact on the music industry in terms of critical quality.

It’s not that she wasn’t good. It’s that she had no edge. No soul.

Watch Malloy, and tell me if you disagree:

OK then, here are my Top 5 auditions for Week 1:

No. 5: Joey Catalano

The high, soft soulful tone to his voice, combined with kind of a nerdy hip-hop look make this guy a sleeper in my book. He noted that ever since losing 205 pounds, he was “on fire,” and that’s what I want in a soul singer.

The challenge for Catalano is in being able to diversify without succumbing to the schmaltziness of any particular genre of music or theme week.

No. 4: Chris Watson

The 20-year-old talks like he smokes a pack of Reds a day but has an uber-contemporary style to his look and his voice. Given that he’s interested in rock bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana, I’m really eager to see how this guy performs in Hollywood.

No. 3: Colton Swon

I said it from the beginning: Idol needs to embrace its country audience, and to do so doesn’t mean the contestant has to adhere to traditional country standards. The “red dirt” country movement, if you will, if super popular with young people, rural and urban alike, and the success of acts like Jason Aldean and Little Big Town reinforce it.

I would agree with the judges that Colton would have to work on stage presence a bit, and I would also acknowledge that put side-to-side against Chris Daughtry, Colton’s audition doesn’t compare terribly favorably. However, it’s not THAT distant.

He’s got the look, the style, the edge and most importantly a good enough voice to have a real shot at stardom.

No. 2: Pia Easley

Pia, or “Zpia” as she’s called, offers kind of an urban rock edge, and she reminds me of Meshell Ndegeocello a ton. She’s super urban, hip and definitely has that aforementioned edge, and my hope beyond hope is that she tackles some rock. A legitimate black female rocker would turn Idol critics upside-down.

No. 1: Kristy Lee Cook

What most of you don’t know is that Kristy is already signed to a development deal with Arista Nashville. However, because it was not a record deal, she was allowed to compete so long, I think, as she severed those ties.

No, there isn’t as much of an edge here with Kristy as there was with some of the others, but there was enough, particularly in terms of her personality. She’s a cage fighter and is beautiful, and given that the country music industry is chock-full of brilliant writers who can help give her an edge, I think she is an absolute shoo-in for stardom, one way or another.

Look, I am not the biggest country fan in the world, but her vocals were perfect. Her vocal style is deceptively soulful, and unless there was something strange in the Hollywood water, I suspect she’s one of your Top 24. Heck, I think she’s a Top 12er.

Heck, this list, our speculation and any audition success these singers might have had don’t mean squat when it comes time to perform in pairs and trios in Hollywood. Simon Cowell has admitted numerous times that certain singers have fallen through the cracks in the second round.

However, these are five singers that I personally think have massive commercial potential, if not the best vocal ability. It’s based somewhat on look and style, but it’s mostly founded on ability and edge. It’s what I’d call the “Daughtry Factor.”

Now, it’s your turn. Who were your Top 5?

You didn’t expect him to say otherwise, did you?

However, in a conference call this week with reporters, he says that three or four of this year’s contestants would have gotten recording contracts even without the hit show. Cowell went on to say that the talent is younger and more current than in years past.

This could mean one of two things. Either he is right, which is possibility No. 1 and would spell great things for Idol this year, or his interpretation of current is something more along the lines of Hannah Montana.

Not to knock Miley.

What I wonder here is whether or not Simon would say that last season’s winner, Jordin Sparks, is “current.” She’s young and pretty. Has a good voice, and she was probably incredibly popular among her peers at home.

But when I think of current, sorry, but I think of Kanye West and NeYo and Chris Brown on the male side of things and Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and Rihanna on the female side. I think of FallOut Boy and Daughtry and Maroon 5 among the bands, although my personal tastes are a bit more eclectic.

Nevertheless, in terms of commercial music, today’s American popular music landscape, this is current. My concern is that if the talent is younger than it has been — 17, 18, etc. — then I fear it being closer to Miley than to Amy.

Simon also told reporters that this year’s bunch is more interesting. They’re more interesting people, and to those of us who love the show, I’m not sure that we care.

Bo Bice was interesting. Taylor Hicks was interesting. Fantasia was interesting. Heck, Clay Aiken was interesting (that’s not a diss, Claykens).

Problem is: Not a darn one of them was particularly current. Actually, I take that back. Most of Fantasia’s work was exceptionally current. It just never really took off.

So, there you have it, straight from Simon’s black t-shirt.

And, what do YOU think Simon means when he says the talent this season is more current?

Not a stunner although Studdard was a fairly decent seller for them early in his label stint. On the other hand, the Soul Patrol failed to ever give Hicks any momentum.

Posted today on monstersandcritics.com:

Winning or placing in the top reality show, “American Idol” is no guarantee the music buying public will continue to support the efforts of the chosen crooners.The dew is off the rose, as two past winners of “Idol” have lost their major label deals.

Just before Christmas, rumors began circulating that season 2’s Ruben Studdard, who released three albums for J Records since 2003 (the latest, 2006’s The Return, to modest sales), had been dropped.

However Studdard continues his management contract with 19 Entertainment.

Now the Hollywood Insider reports season 5 winner Taylor Hicks has also lost his J Records deal.

“Taylor is going to record his next album on his own,” said a label rep. “He is no longer on the J Records roster.”

What does this mean for the latest winner, Jordin Sparks?

More importantly, is it the beginning of the end for the profitable franchise heading into season 7 on January 15?

***

Fact is struggling artists are dropped all the time from record labels, and there’s no doubt that Hicks and Studdard had a hard go of it from the outset. However, both singers are pretty much back to the drawing board, and I’m not sure there is anything short of an inspiring record that will bring these guys back to the forefront.

The underlying message to Idol and its contestants should be bring it or go home. We’ve seen Carrie Underwood do it and Kelly Clarkson and Chris Daughtry. Those cats aren’t getting dropped anytime soon, even with Clarkson’s disappointing album last year.

And for Idol, it means judges simply must start looking beyond technique and find stars. They’re out there, and while the show isn’t desperate for a new one just yet, they can’t have many more flops.

No, I didn’t forget to pay the electric bill. The plains states were hit hard by an ice storm that rendered millions of us without electricity. Six days and nights with nothin’ but flashlights and sub-freezing temperatures.

I don’t recommend it as a lifestyle choice.

However, among the things I did as soon as the lights (and heat) came back on was check out the Billboard end-of-year charts to see where our Idols finished for 2007. What I discovered is that while Chris Daughtry outperformed all other Idols, his band actually outperformed everyone. Period.

His CD, “Daughtry,” finished the year as the No. 1 album of 2007.

Carrie Underwood was a strong finisher, placing two albums in the end-of-year Top 200 list, and Kelly Clarkson did better than what you might have expected.

Our boy Elliott ended the year with a Top 50 single, and these end-of-year charts proved once and for all that Fantasia is still a player in the music business even though she has been off doing Broadway for a bit.

Here’s a sample of what I found on the end-of-year charts:

Hot 100 singles for 2007:

No. 6 – “Before He Cheats” – Carrie Underwood

No. 17 – “It’s Not Over” – Daughtry

No. 25 – “Home” – Daughtry

No. 41 – “Wait For You” – Elliott Yamin

No. 70 – “Never Again” – Kelly Clarkson

Hot 100 female artists for 2007:

No. 3 – Carrie Underwood

Hot 100 duo/groups for 2007:

No. 1 – Daughtry

Hot 100 songwriters for 2007:

No. 7 – Chris Daughtry

Top digital album artists for 2007:

No. 2 – Daughtry

No. 9 – Carrie Underwood

Hot 100 overall artists for 2007:

No. 6 – Daughtry

No. 7 – Carrie Underwood

No. 44 – Elliott Yamin

No. 50 – Kelly Clarkson

No. 90 – Fantasia

And who was at No. 91 on this list? Hannah Montana. This is to give you a bit of perspective as to Fantasia’s 2007 Billboard ranking.

Top 200 albums for 2007:

No. 1 – “Daughtry” by Daughtry

No. 6 – “Some Hearts” by Carrie Underwood

No. 56 – “Carnival Ride” by Carrie Underwood

No. 66 – “My December” by Kelly Clarkson

No. 74 – “Taylor Hicks” by Taylor Hicks

No. 95 – “Small Town Girl” by Kellie Pickler

No. 105 – “Fantasia” by Fantasia

No. 114 – “Elliott Yamin” by Elliott Yamin

No. 159 – “Katherine McPhee” by Katherine McPhee

No. 187 – “Bucky Covington” by Bucky Covington

Daughtry’s wins included Favorite Breakthrough Artist, Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Album. According to this article on MTV.com, Season 5’s fourth-place finalist was totally pumped.

“Wow. I can’t believe we’re in the category with Justin Timberlake and Linkin Park. It’s pretty awesome,” Chris Daughtry said. “I want to make sure we thank the fans again because you guys made this all possible for us.”

Carrie won awards for top artist and best album in the country category, and she also took home a special text-in award, sponsored by T-Mobile.

After six seasons of AI, that its artists are scoring such big wins in the music industry underscores just how talented Idol finalists have been the past few years. While I’m not sure the show’s producers always find the best way to showcase these singers, it’s irrefutably clear that American Idol is chock-full of serious talent.

Daughtry’s self-titled album got a nomination for Best Pop/Rock album, a nomination for best adult contemporary artist and one for breakthrough artist.

While Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have excelled as solo artists, Daughtry is the first Idol alum to really earn a name for himself as part of a band. His success has been totally legitimate, and while he isn’t the leader of some indie band, garnering tons of critical acclaim, Chris’ band has earned a Bon Jovi-esque following.

For 2007, “Daughtry” was the one album everybody said, “Wow, I had no idea it would be this good.”

So, does Chris have a real shot at three wins at the AMAs, to be broadcast on Nov. 18 and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel?

Nope. I do think he’ll win one, though.

Justin Timberlake should edge Daughtry out for best pop/rock album with his “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” and Norah Jones should clip Daughtry on the adult contemporary side of things.

However, as far as breakthrough artist? That should be all Daughtry, beating out Plain White T’s and Robin Thicke, who technically has been around for years, making me wonder what the criteria are for this category.

Nevertheless, this should be the first of many awards nominations for Daughtry as he should be a shoo-in for at least a couple Grammy nominations.