Styx Picks: January 2009

I was totally and absolutely underwhelmed this week. Maybe, as it was pointed out by at least one other blogger that the week's show went from 2 hours down to one and therefore, between the bad singers and the commercials there was a whole lot less to be excited over. This week I found a total of 4 that I really liked. Sad because it took both nights to find them. As a friend of mine pointed out to me...over the course of 2 hours, I found ~maybe~ 20 minutes worth listening to....hense the title. Fortunately for San Fran, the ones I liked came at the end, thereby salvaging an otherwise, dull night. Unfortunately for Louisville, the ones I liked came in the beginning with just an "eh" towards the end. I suspect there may have been one or two others but they crammed 4 contestants into a 73 second period and it was hard to tell if I was going to like them or not.

Working backwards , as Im going into Rickey's blog to see if he has videos so I can refresh my memory because today because the little stars in my notes simply arent cutting it, my picks from this week are:

Louisville (Lou - UH- vuhl):

Joanna Pacitti (We Belong): She's a plant, yes I know this. She's already been there, done that and hasnt really succeeded. However, she's got the voice and the looks....a pretty Carly Smithson (not that she wasnt pretty, she was...Joanna's just prettier) without the tatoos. She has potential to make it through the Hollywood rounds, the question is will she? With the crying in the audition, money'd be a good bet that she melts down.

Brent Keith (Cant Get Enough): Yep, I know, another plant....but he's good. A nice southern rock sound to his voice, actually a country artist I would listen to...easily. The question is, does he ~really~ NEED this show? Or should he just get an awesome publicist? Here, you decide:

Brent Keith
http://www.cmt.com/videos/brent-keith/169313/looking-for-a-road-non-nascar-version.jhtml

Honorable mentions:
Lenicia Young who was the last singer of the night. She sang an original that she wrote. It was nice, but Im not totally behind her yet.

Felicia Barton who sang Put Your Records On. She bears watching, as does Ryan Johnson who sang A Change is Gonna Come.

San Francisco:

Adam Lambert (Bohemian Rhapsody): He did a beautiful acapella version of Bo Rhap...much better than the acclaimed one Constantine did a few years back. My only problem is with his look. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but Im afraid the viewers are going to make the connection I did.....Cookie lite. Oh now wait....nothing wrong with diet Cookies is there?

Kai Kalama (Smoke Gets in Your Eyes): I liked his voice alot, but I dont see him making it through Hollywood. I think his showmanship, as Simon and Kara both pointed out, is going to be his main stumbling block. He definitely needs to work on his confidence.

Those are my picks for the week. See you next week!

links for reading

Today's reading. This will be updated as I find more on their blogs that may be of interest.

From Rickey's Blog:
Sanjaya Malakar — O’Reilly Factor

Kris Allen, Felicia Barton, Ryan Johnson, Shera Lawrence — Auditions — American Idol 8

From MJ's Blog:
Spoiler Update: Danny Gokey Rumored to Make the Top 50

Idol Headlines for 1/22/09 (articles on Kai Kalama, Phil Stacey's Blog, Kara, JHud, Taylor Hicks, and more...lots more)

American Idol Season 8 - Louisville Auditions - Recap

Other sources:
http://www.realitywanted.com/newsitem/1601-american-idol-recruits-talent-from-san-francisco-and-louisville

http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article8622.art&page=1

http://snarkravingmad.com/index.php/2009/01/22/american-idol-s8-louisville-auditions/

"Was That A Threat?" "That Was A Threat."

American Idol 8 Contestants to Watch from Louisville

The NGH Report – American Idol 8’s Louisville Auditions: “Women Under the Table!”

American Idol 8, January 21 Recap: Hoarse Race

American Idol 8 – Louisville Auditions

Why The New Judge!

"Idol" Judges Lack Southern Hospitality

David Archuleta Cannot Take a Controversial Picture

American Idol 8 Top 50 Spoiler - Danny Gokey

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Headin in to Lousiville tonight

Idol Headlines for 1/21/09

Idol Sales News - Week Ending 01/18/09

Sanjaya Malakar — Howard Stern Radio Show

Go Go Kelly Clarkson!

You Tube Goodness from John Twiford (this is the guy we hardly saw last night)

Breaking: Updated American Idol Schedule through March

I'll write my review for last night and tonight later this evening after the show. Since the show was only an hour long and I only saw 2 all night that were worth my time, I figured I'd just lump them with tonight's review.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Just a few more hours til San Fran

Idols and the Inauguration

Idol Headlines for 1/20/09 (links for bikini girl, Constantine, Dioguardi, Sanjaya, Kelly Clarkson, and more)

Sanjaya Malakar — Dancing to the Music In My Head EP — Available Now

Michael Johns — Don’t Look Down Soundtrack — Available Now

Spoiler Update: Anoop Desai Rumored to Make the Top 50

This Week’s American Idol Auditions: San Francisco 1/20, Louisville 1/21

American Idol Season 8 - San Francisco Auditions - Recap

Hits Daily Double: 58% Increase for David Cook, David Archuleta Re-enters the Top 50

Jennifer Hudson Family Murders: William Balfour Pleads Not Guilty

Taylor Hicks New Single - “What’s Right is Right” - First Listen (very nice song...I'll be buying the album when it comes out!)

Kellie Pickler and Her New Pet Monkey

Monday, January 19, 2009

today's links

Nadia Turner: “I was trying to keep it real, I was trying to stay true to me.”

David Archuleta: Six-Week Solo Tour to be Announced, Label readying European and Japanese Album Releases

Justin Guarini: Gone Country Debuts January 24

TV Week Interview with Mike Darnell: “There’s a big surprise coming when we get to the top 12″

Idol Appearances for the Week of 1/19/09 - 1/25/09

Idol Headlines for 1/19/08

http://www.phillyburbs.com/opinions/blogs/burbsblogs/american_idol/american_idol_details/article/432/2009/january/15/american-idol-premature-top-12-week-1.html

http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=4&article=article2519.art&page=1

American Idol 8 Contestants to Watch from Kansas City

The NGH Report – American Idol 8’s Kansas City Auditions: Do You Want A Banana?

Fox Executive Happy With New Idol Season, Says Big Surprise Coming

A Martin Luther King Day Message From Jordin Sparks

Sunday, January 18, 2009

today's links

Kelly Clarkson’s New Song: Free Download

Sneak Peek: Disney World’s New Attraction, The American Idol Experience

Idol Headlines for 1/18/09 (this one has articles on David Cook, Trenyce, Chris Sligh, and JHud)

David Archuleta at the Sundance Film Festival

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Today's AI links

Taylor Hicks Performs at the WGN Studios, Chicago

Idol Headlines for 1/17/09

David Archuleta on MTV Buzzworthy

David Archuleta on A Little Too Not Over You: “It was definitely from some personal experiences”

Please note that I am NOT an Archie fan, however he has been in the news lately so the link went up. If I recall the Idol Headlines link had a Cookie related article on it.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Links for 01/16/09

Sanjaya Malakar — Dancing to the Music in My Head : Memoirs of the People’s Idol

Katharine McPhee — House of Blues Portrait

Chris Sligh writes New Rascall Flats Single

Elliott Yamin Sophomore Record to Hit Stores May 5th

Idol Headlines for 1/16/09

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Kansas City

We seem to have a slightly more talented pool this year. It's either that or they're sparing us some of the really bloody awful ones for a change. Thank goodness they got rid of that ridiculous "out the wrong door" gag. Although they showed it happen just once and the contestant (Danny Gokey) is the one who pointed it out and had a good laugh over it!

Wednesday's episode came from Kansas City, Missouri, the town that brought us last year's winner (YAY!!) David Cook. There were 5-6 that I think we need to keep our eyes open for but before I get into this episode, I'm going to step back into Tuesday's show and pull one more name out of that list. Warranting a second look is Emily Wynn-Hughes who sang Barracuda. Listening back on her performance it's not all that bad. Do I think she'll have a chance? More than likely not. I dont think the viewers are quite ready for a female rocker yet. Remember, it took the viewers two additional seasons before they voted a male rocker in as the winner. I suspect it'll be season 9 before we see a rocker girl get close enough for a potential win. I half expect Amy will go the way Carly Smithson went which is a shame and a half.

In order of appearance, this is who caught my eye as Styx's Picks for the episode:

Ashley Anderson (Footprints in the Sand): She had a very nice voice. That's about all I can say as I dont remember much about her. I dont expect she's going to make it past the Hollywood Rounds.

Casey Carlson (A Thousand Miles): She's cute as a button and had a very nice voice for pop tunes. She sang a Vanessa Carlton song but had a touch of a Colbie Caillat sound to her voice. She was good...very good...but not great. I dont expect she'll make it past the Hollywood Rounds. Her best hope now is to catch a Wildcard spot (yeah...they brought 'em back).

Matt Breitzke (Aint No Sunshine): He's the welder/ fabricator with that nice soul sound to his voice. Although he's worth keeping an eye on, he's another I suspect wont be around when the contest truly fires up.

Danny Gokey ( I Heard it Through the Grapevine): He's the one who's wife died 4 weeks prior to the audition due to a heart problem. Im hoping this one makes it through the Hollywood Rounds to be honest as he's got some real potential there and Im really praying that the pressure doesnt crack him. He looks really familiar though. Anyone have any ideas what actor of whom he might be reminding me? Although...he does remind me of a chat pal from a couple years ago that went by the nick of FresnoJay....

Asa Barnes (The Way You Are): He is a band director in a school. We never really have luck with the teachers, do we? Wasn't Anwar a choir teacher or something? Ah well. Anyhow, Asa did a very good job with the Michael Jackson song he choose. He's one I might actually be able to get behind if he makes it through Hollywood.

Lil Rounds (All I Do): This mom of 3 is actually the first woman I've seen so far that I could easily throw my support behind. They said she had a retro feel and the first thing I thought of is that this could be her year if she plays it right. With the movie Cadillac Records out and Beyonce playing Etta James, this could be just the opening Lil needs. This one could go far.

All in all, in this week's shows, 53 total received Golden Tickets to go to Hollywood with Phoenix bringing in just one ticket more than Kansas City.

Looks like this just *might* be an interesting year after all.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

It's that time of year again

Yep, that's right, it's American Idol time again. I'm not quite sure how Im feeling about it though. It's the first night and I only saw 3 that even have a shot at making it through the Hollywood rounds. Of the 3, two were males. Could this be the year of the male again? I doubt it... although the one really has potential.

One of my favorites was Stevie Wright. She did a very nice (but not great) version of At Last. The question is, does she have the talent to take it to the end? I don't know. We had a few that I swore wouldnt make it far in the last few years that made it farther than I 'd care to see and ones that should have done well, completely flame out.

Another favorite was Michael Sarver, the sensitive roughneck who sang Thank You. This one is one to watch closely this year. He's got a nice voice AND good looks, a total package. Could you imagine if the stylists were to darken that hair a bit to contrast with his light light eyes? Mmmm yummy.

The last one that I liked was Scott MacIntyre, the sweet nearly blind man that sang And So It Goes. He has a very nice voice and is talented with the piano. Worst case scenerio, he could easily become this generation's John Tesh.

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