American Idol 10 – Nashville

Tonight the Idol crew visit Music City – Nashville, TN. I saw some interesting previews from the episode touting that they may have found “the one”. I really hate when they throw that title around…it seems to give that contestant a very distinct advantage when they make it to the Top 10 (or 12 or whatever it is going to be this season).

The nutty dental assistant Christine McCaffrey opened the show and I hope that she is the worst they brought out for viewing because I cannot imagine that there is anybody worse than she is.

Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin are exes that sing and still live together. They apparently don’t even really like each other that much – but here they are singing together. They do a pretty good version of  The Bee Gees “To Love Somebody”. Rob’s solo is a super raspy, almost Gavin McGraw-esque version of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On?”. Chelsee sings “The Story” (Brandi Carlisle) and kills it. Looks like they will have to deal with each other for a bit longer because they are both going to Hollywood. This should be an interesting story to watch unfold.

I think Allen Lewis shot himself in the foot what he made a rather suggestive statement to Randy about the flavor of ice cream he would prefer. He has an odd voice and when he performed Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” if felt as though he would be better if he had a band behind him. He is not going to Hollywood.

Up next is Miss Teen USA (2009) Stormi Henley (19). She says that she wants to see how far she can make it on her talent. She chooses to sing “Father Can You Hear Me” which is a gospel song most prominently heard in Tyler Perry films…odd choice. J Lo and I agreed – she gave her a no, but Randy and Steven say yes. She has a really thin voice – Hollywood is going to be tough on her.

Adrienne Beasley is a black woman adopted by white parents and she is going to sing a Lady Antebellum song (American Honey), there are days when I really love this show! She has a lovely and melodious tone to her voice. She wasn’t too twangy – can’t wait to see what she does with other genres…although – we may not hear that as I think they are letting contestants stick to their own genres this season. We shall see what happens – she is going to Hollywood.

Can we have the dental assistant back please? Kameela Merricks is the worst singer I have EVER heard on this show (including William Hung). She needs to send Chaka Khan an apology for the murder that she committed to “Sweet Thing”. Randy is definitely taking the mantle of the most honest judge. He is not as mean as Simon – but he is certainly telling the bad contestants that they are bad. Steven told this girl to go practice and then he told Randy not to tell people that they aren’t good. I am thankful for Randy. This is followed by a montage of some really bad singers.

Jackie Wilson (same name as the singer) saves the day, thank goodness. She is 28 (one of the oldest contestants I have seen this audition cycle) and she does a lovely “Until You Come Back To Me” (Aretha Franklin). She also has one of the best smiles! Can’t wait to see what she brings in Hollywood.

All I can say about Latoya Moore aka Younique is that she is a hot damn mess…not sure why she wore an evening gown to the audition and she sang herself out of the door after she received her no votes. Thank goodness there were a couple of guys the came after her to show the audience that Nashville has some talent. Paul McDonald sings Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” and made me like it and then Danny Pate rocks the hell out of The Temptations “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. Danny looks familiar to me and after a little research I found out that he did audition for Idol last year. Jimmie Allen made “Sunday Morning” (Maroon 5) sound new again. Off to Hollywood these gentlemen go!

Matt Dillard has a very rough and tumble, cowboy look so I was super shocked when he sang a Josh Groban song (You Raise Me Up). J Lo gave him a no but Randy and Steven said yes. He has a pleasant voice – but I don’t think it is strong enough for Hollywood – but he gets mad props for the surprise factor of the evening!

15-year-old Lauren Alaina draws my attention because Nigel Lythgoe (Executive Producer) tweeted excitedly about her some months ago when these auditions went down. Interested to hear what she brings to the competition. When she sings “Like We Never Loved at All” (Faith Hill) she sounds like a grown ass woman and blows the judges away. She is a little too precocious for my liking but there is no doubt that the girl can sing. When she breaks into “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” (Aerosmith – natch), I actually liked it better than her audition song. Definitely one to watch.

They seemed to focus a lot more on the tragic singers this evening, but there were some great ones here as well. My favorites are: Chelsee Oaks and Rob Bolin, Adrienne Beasley and Jackie Wilson. Next they are off to Austin – a great music city. I can’t wait to see what transpires.

What did you think of Nashville? Did you swoon over Lauren Alaina? Let me know.