American Idol Overhaul: Season 4
I remember this season well. It was during my first year of teaching. I had a tally chart in my classroom and got my students involved. I loved the format of the show. It allowed for us to see more of the contestants week after week. It was also the answer to a female dominated Season 3. I wish that they would go back to this format. Season 4 was definitely a more versatile bunch. I believe that we had a singer to fit every mold.
THE FINALIST
LINDSEY CARDINALE
I love a husky tone and she had it. She just didn't know how to really pick the right songs for herself.
MIKALAH GORDON
She was a prime example of personality over voice. Vocally had potential but she couldn't hang with her fellow contestants.
JESSICA SIERRA
Another husky tone. I just don't know where she went wrong. She didn't come across as likable for some reason.
NIKKO SMITH
He was so good! Underrated IMO. Great R&B voice and always picked the right songs that suited him well.
NADIA TURNER
She had a fantastic performance quality about her. I did think that she came up short in the vocals at times.
ANWAR ROBINSON
In the earlier rounds, he had me. Throughout the competition, he lost the kind of artist that he started out as.
CONSTANTINE MAROULIS
Great vocals with great performance qualities. He just didn't fit into a category. One week he was a rocker. The next he was a balladeer.
SCOTT SAVOL
Nice vocal tone but I didn't get much more from him unfortunately. I wanted him to improve but he always seemed to stay in the same lane.
ANTHONY FEDOROV
Solid vocals. Probably one of the cleanest vocals in the season. Just a little too plain to win.
VONZELL SOLOMON
Sassy songstress who delivered more than most! One of my favorites in the competition. I was more than satisfied with her performance on the show.
BO BICE
He came out of nowhere! Such a pleasant surprise and amazing voice. When I first heard him in the semi finals, I wanted more!
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
The polished country girl from day one. She was someone that was on my radar from the auditions. American Idol had never had a bonafide authentic female country artist. Carrie was perfect for that role! And she sang!
WHO GOT ROBBED.......
MELINDA LIRA
Melinda Lira - Power Of Love
I really don't know if she would have made the top 12 but she should not have gone home first. She had potential and I was very curious to see what she would bring in the upcoming weeks.
NIKKO SMITH
Nikko Smith - Incomplete
I really liked the tone of his voice throughout. I would have loved to have seen him advance further. Possibly Top 4.
MARIO VAZQUEZ
Mario Vazquez - Do I Do
Technically, he didn't get robbed. He quit. I feel like he was one of the most seasoned from that season and could have taken the crown with his R&B/Pop sound. Definitely a missed opportunity for him.
TOP 12 PERFORMANCES
12. Constantine Maroulis - My Funny Valentine - Top 9
Constantine Maroulis - My Funny Valentine
This was probably the only time that I bought the hype of Constantine. Other performances came off as desperate. This arrangement was funky and he delivered clean solid vocals.
11. Bo Bice - Vehicle - Top 7
Bo Bice - Vehicle
He embodied the look and voice of the 70's. This performance had the confidence and gusto needed to push him to the front of the pack.
10. Anwar Robinson - What A Wonderful World - Semi Finals
Anwar Robinson - What A Wonderful World
Such a classy performance. The arrangement was one of the best of season. He delivered supreme vocals and charisma. He came out of the gate swinging.
9. Carrie Underwood - Bless The Broken Road - Top 5
Carrie Underwood - Bless The Broken Road
Elegance and vocal ability for days. One of the few times that she sang country and nailed it IMO. The key change showed that she was a true vocalist.
8. Carrie Underwood - Crying - Top 3
Carrie Underwood - Crying
One of her more polished performances in the season. She had the emotion and the vocals to match.
7. Vonzell Solomon - Best Of My Love - Top 11
Vonzell Solomon - Best Of My Love
Such a fun performance with a killer vocal. One of my favorite songs.
6. Vonzell Solomon - Treat Me Nice - Top 5
Vonzell Solomon - Treat Me Nice
This had a fresh vibe to it. I had never heard this song before and she made me a fan. It had spunk and charisma. I loved the transition to the key change.
5. Bo Bice - Whipping Post - Semi Finals
Bo Bice - Whipping Post
He made the judges, the audience, and fellow contestants take notice. He was here to win this season. Bo was authentic with this performance.
4. Vonzell Solomon - When You Tell Me That You Love Me - Top 5
Vonzell Solomon - When You Tell Me That You Love Me
Such a beautiful and powerful performance. She had the poise and vocals to make this an unforgettable performance. Her high notes just soared.
3. Bo Bice - Heaven - Top 5
Bo Bice - Heaven
A contemporary song that fit him so well. He flowed with the groove. It was a great performance!
2. Carrie Underwood - Alone - Top 11
Carrie Underwood - Alone
This is when she broke out and really started to believe that she could win. She sang this with all of the vocal prowess that the song called for. Owned that song and it could never be duplicated.
1. Bo Bice - In A Dream - Top 3
Bo Bice - In A Dream
Who can resist a great compelling a cappella song? He had the entire audience in the palm of his hand. Risky choice but it certainly paid off. This took the competition to a new level. I really thought that he had it in the bag after this performance.
HALL OF FAME
Season 4 had some duds but 3 contestants really stood out for me and they were the final 3 of that season. Let's get right to it.
Inducted previously from Seasons 1, 2, and 3
KELLY CLARKSON
TAMYRA GRAY
TRENYCE
RUBEN STUDDARD
CLAY AIKEN
KIMBERLEY LOCKE
FANTASIA BARRINO
JENNIFER HUDSON
LATOYA LONDON
1st Inductee.......
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
2nd Inductee.......
BO BICE
3rd Inductee.......
VONZELL SOLOMON
More overhauls and entries about Season 15 coming your way. Until next time.....
THE FINALIST
LINDSEY CARDINALE
I love a husky tone and she had it. She just didn't know how to really pick the right songs for herself.
MIKALAH GORDON
She was a prime example of personality over voice. Vocally had potential but she couldn't hang with her fellow contestants.
JESSICA SIERRA
Another husky tone. I just don't know where she went wrong. She didn't come across as likable for some reason.
NIKKO SMITH
He was so good! Underrated IMO. Great R&B voice and always picked the right songs that suited him well.
NADIA TURNER
She had a fantastic performance quality about her. I did think that she came up short in the vocals at times.
ANWAR ROBINSON
In the earlier rounds, he had me. Throughout the competition, he lost the kind of artist that he started out as.
CONSTANTINE MAROULIS
Great vocals with great performance qualities. He just didn't fit into a category. One week he was a rocker. The next he was a balladeer.
SCOTT SAVOL
Nice vocal tone but I didn't get much more from him unfortunately. I wanted him to improve but he always seemed to stay in the same lane.
ANTHONY FEDOROV
Solid vocals. Probably one of the cleanest vocals in the season. Just a little too plain to win.
VONZELL SOLOMON
Sassy songstress who delivered more than most! One of my favorites in the competition. I was more than satisfied with her performance on the show.
BO BICE
He came out of nowhere! Such a pleasant surprise and amazing voice. When I first heard him in the semi finals, I wanted more!
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
The polished country girl from day one. She was someone that was on my radar from the auditions. American Idol had never had a bonafide authentic female country artist. Carrie was perfect for that role! And she sang!
WHO GOT ROBBED.......
MELINDA LIRA
Melinda Lira - Power Of Love
I really don't know if she would have made the top 12 but she should not have gone home first. She had potential and I was very curious to see what she would bring in the upcoming weeks.
NIKKO SMITH
Nikko Smith - Incomplete
I really liked the tone of his voice throughout. I would have loved to have seen him advance further. Possibly Top 4.
MARIO VAZQUEZ
Mario Vazquez - Do I Do
Technically, he didn't get robbed. He quit. I feel like he was one of the most seasoned from that season and could have taken the crown with his R&B/Pop sound. Definitely a missed opportunity for him.
TOP 12 PERFORMANCES
12. Constantine Maroulis - My Funny Valentine - Top 9
Constantine Maroulis - My Funny Valentine
This was probably the only time that I bought the hype of Constantine. Other performances came off as desperate. This arrangement was funky and he delivered clean solid vocals.
11. Bo Bice - Vehicle - Top 7
Bo Bice - Vehicle
He embodied the look and voice of the 70's. This performance had the confidence and gusto needed to push him to the front of the pack.
10. Anwar Robinson - What A Wonderful World - Semi Finals
Anwar Robinson - What A Wonderful World
Such a classy performance. The arrangement was one of the best of season. He delivered supreme vocals and charisma. He came out of the gate swinging.
9. Carrie Underwood - Bless The Broken Road - Top 5
Carrie Underwood - Bless The Broken Road
Elegance and vocal ability for days. One of the few times that she sang country and nailed it IMO. The key change showed that she was a true vocalist.
8. Carrie Underwood - Crying - Top 3
Carrie Underwood - Crying
One of her more polished performances in the season. She had the emotion and the vocals to match.
7. Vonzell Solomon - Best Of My Love - Top 11
Vonzell Solomon - Best Of My Love
Such a fun performance with a killer vocal. One of my favorite songs.
6. Vonzell Solomon - Treat Me Nice - Top 5
Vonzell Solomon - Treat Me Nice
This had a fresh vibe to it. I had never heard this song before and she made me a fan. It had spunk and charisma. I loved the transition to the key change.
5. Bo Bice - Whipping Post - Semi Finals
Bo Bice - Whipping Post
He made the judges, the audience, and fellow contestants take notice. He was here to win this season. Bo was authentic with this performance.
4. Vonzell Solomon - When You Tell Me That You Love Me - Top 5
Vonzell Solomon - When You Tell Me That You Love Me
Such a beautiful and powerful performance. She had the poise and vocals to make this an unforgettable performance. Her high notes just soared.
3. Bo Bice - Heaven - Top 5
Bo Bice - Heaven
A contemporary song that fit him so well. He flowed with the groove. It was a great performance!
2. Carrie Underwood - Alone - Top 11
Carrie Underwood - Alone
This is when she broke out and really started to believe that she could win. She sang this with all of the vocal prowess that the song called for. Owned that song and it could never be duplicated.
1. Bo Bice - In A Dream - Top 3
Bo Bice - In A Dream
Who can resist a great compelling a cappella song? He had the entire audience in the palm of his hand. Risky choice but it certainly paid off. This took the competition to a new level. I really thought that he had it in the bag after this performance.
HALL OF FAME
Season 4 had some duds but 3 contestants really stood out for me and they were the final 3 of that season. Let's get right to it.
Inducted previously from Seasons 1, 2, and 3
KELLY CLARKSON
TAMYRA GRAY
TRENYCE
RUBEN STUDDARD
CLAY AIKEN
KIMBERLEY LOCKE
FANTASIA BARRINO
JENNIFER HUDSON
LATOYA LONDON
1st Inductee.......
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
2nd Inductee.......
BO BICE
3rd Inductee.......
VONZELL SOLOMON
More overhauls and entries about Season 15 coming your way. Until next time.....
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