01) No generally means no. It does NOT mean you beg or plead or sing another song. It does NOT mean to get argumentative with the judges (although we all suspect that you've been coached to do so to "make good tv"). No means you shut up and leave the audition room.... either willingly or escorted. If you're really bad, they'll throw you in handcuffs (although we suspect a few of you may just enjoy that). This is not to discourage you from trying again, just to discourage you from trying again right now.
02) Louder does NOT necessarily mean better. Actually, if you're already off-key, it will put you farther off-key (or sharp or flat) by that much more.
03)"I'm singing an original song" is generally going to receive groans from the judges. Why? Because a good 98% of the original songs they hear are nothing more than crap. You may say that song is in key, but truly... if
04) (this one for the judges) Do not judge a book by its cover. It's amazing what a good dust-jacket will do to a plain cover on a book.
That said, here's the Styx Picks for Dallas. I wasn't overly wowed by many this time around.
Rule number 4 was broken by these two (with some success):
Lloyd Thomas: He wasn't bad, not great but has potential. I was pleasantly surprised at his audition. Possible we have the next Reuben this year?
Dave Pittman: Dave has Tourettes and with that comes the clicks and ticks and such which can be off putting if you aren't aware there's a problem. He reminds me a bit of Jim Nabors. Mr Nabors has that really strange talking voice but when he opens his mouth... well something beautiful emerges and you'd never suspect it with the way he speaks. Dave was the same way. His voice wasn't as beautiful as Mr Nabor's, however when he sang.... well there wasn't a twitch or click or anything. Again, a reminder to never judge the book by its look.
The 3rd rule was broke, rather successfully I might add, by the next two. They will be worth watching, although I'm not entirely certain for how long.
Kimberly Carver: I loved the jazz sound in her voice. Yeah, she was a bit dated with the audition but any gal that can make the guest judge go to odds with Simon to keep the auditioner in the running is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Todrick Hall: Ok. The audition song was a bit cutesy to be taken seriously. However, he has a beautiful voice and some nice control going for him. He's definitely one to be watching when the Hollywood rounds show up. If he can get to the competition stage (and the stress doesn't wash him out), we may just have a contender.
We haven't had a really decent AAM in the last few years and haven't had one win since season 2. Is this the year for the AAM or is American Idol seriously stacking the deck with female talent? I'm not even going to try and call this until we get a couple weeks into competition. By all rights, this should be a Caucasian girl's year as we haven't had one since Carrie in season 4. However, last year should have been the year for them or the AAM, and what did we see? A back to back year of the Caucasian male! I'd like to say this is definitely the year of girl power but I am wondering if my opinion is being skewed because I've already started peeking in the nefarious site's pages and they've noted that most of the guys being sent through to competition (gotta love those spoilers!) are kinda fugly (honestly, I think some of them are cute in their own way!) and what tweentard or "frau" (older female fan) is going to vote for fugly?? Time will tell. I mean look at last year, the girls were nuts for the flamboyantly gay male competitor and you can be damned sure they are what got him that far (well that and his talent...). They know they can't have him (much to the relief of husbands and boyfriends everywhere), but it didn't stop them from squealing and fawning over him in a fangirly way (myself included).
Up next: Denver.
