American idol Overhaul: Season 7
This season was the last time that I could audition due to age restrictions. I remember hauling up to Philly with one of my students and his dad. Honestly, I wanted him to make it more than me. Needless to say, we both got cut. Great experience for both of us. Some really good singers came out of Season 7. I had a difficult time picking a favorite.
THE FINALIST
DAVID HERNANDEZ
Nice vocals. Tended to sound like he was screaming at times.
AMANDA OVERMYER
Had such a unique grit to her voice. I feel like the show put a lid on her true potential.
CHIKEZIE
Smooth vocals. His personality never sat right with me.
RAMIELE MALUBAY
Nice tone but was never really confident. Just wasn't ready.
MICHAEL JOHNS
Voice was so sexy. Very much a throwback to 70's rock.
KRISTY LEE COOK
Bland vocals. Picked up the country vote for the season.
CARLY SMITHSON
This lady had one of the most powerful voices. Her tone was beautiful.
BROOKE WHITE
I loved her vibe. She made me feel so comfortable. She seemed under rehearsed at times but that doesn't take away from her singer/songwriter vocals.
JASON CASTRO
I never got him. I think that he didn't have much of a voice. He was just able to float on style and appeal.
SYESHA MERCADO
Amazing vocals. She finessed most of her vocals. Moments where she lost her way. She had some really great moments.
DAVID ARCHULETA
He was a master at his craft. So young but yet so talented.
DAVID COOK
He flipped the song and made it work each time. I felt like he believed in himself and I believed in him. One of my favorite winners.
WHO GOT ROBBED.......
ALEXANDREA LUSHINGTON
Alexandrea Lushington - Spinning Wheel
Her last name described her tone to a tee. I don't get how she could have gotten eliminated so early. She clearly had one of the best voices that season.
ASIA'H EPPERSON
Asia'h Epperson - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
I thought that she would be in the top 12 easily. I don't know what went wrong for her but she left way too early. Her voice was so unique and could have been really interesting in later rounds.
DAVID HERNANDEZ
David Hernandez - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
He had the makings to be really really good. His musicality was cool and he, at least, didn't deserve to go out 12th. The whole stripper controversy ruined it for him.
MICHAEL JOHNS
Such a smooth voice. I wanted him to make it to Top 5, at least. RIP Michael. I am sure that you singing beautifully in Heaven.
CARLY SMITHSON
She sang the heck out of everything! Her vocals were so similar to Kelly in spots. I was expecting to see her in the finals.
TOP 12 PERFORMANCES
12. Carly Smithson - Come Together - Top 12
Carly Smithson - Come Together
This song is such a funky kind of song. It brings the inner wild child in me. Carly possessed each lyric with a great level of commitment.
11. Carly Smithson - Blackbird - Top 11
Carly Smithson - Blackbird
Blackbird really showcased the beauty in Carly's voice. Yes, there was a lyric flub but she recovered well from it. Here is where she proved that she had pipes to go along with that power.
10. Syesha Mercado - Yesterday - Top 11
Syesha Mercado - Yesterday
Stunningly beautiful. Syesha knew how to use her voice. Some parts went a little sharp and out of sorts but for the most part, this was absolutely beautiful.
9. Brooke White - Let It Be - Top 12
Brooke White - Let It Be
Brooke really found her stride at the piano. This was one of her more solid performances.
8. David Cook - Always Be My Baby - Top 7
David Cook - Always Be My Baby
David had a way of restructuring songs to fit him and his style. This was my performance from him. I loved other things but this one was magical. It seemed like he wrote it.
7. Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar - Top 6
Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar
Hard to believe that she was voted out after this amazing performance. I loved her power behind this. I was convinced. I really enjoyed the fill-in adlibs from time to time.
6. David Archuleta - Smoky Mountain Memories - Top 9
David Archuleta - Smoky Mountain Memories
He took this song that I have never heard and had me singing it at karaoke the next week. I loved his sense of freedom throughout the song. I felt the emotional connection.
5. Carly Smithson - Here You Come Again - Top 9
Carly Smithson - Here You Come Again
Her most vulnerable performance. Each note was thought out and she was so connected. Just absolutely beautiful.
4. Syesha Mercado - If I Were Your Woman - Top 10
Syesha Mercado - If I Were Your Woman
I knew that she meant business after this performance. That vocal control was on point. Syesha definitely knew the musicality of a song. The dynamics were fantastic.
3. Syesha Mercado - Vanishing - Top 7
Syesha Mercado - Vanishing
She made this song memorable. Her storytelling voice fit this like a glove. Gorgeous.
2. David Archuleta - Imagine - Semi Finals
David Archuleta - Imagine
There are not enough good things that I can say about this performance. The guitar intro set the tone. David's voice was so magical. His phrasing was brilliant. I listened to this for about a month nonstop afterwards.
1. Michael Johns - It's All Wrong But It's All Right - Top 9
Michael Johns - It's All Wrong But It's All Right
This is probably not PC at all but I got pregnant from the first "Hello". Every note and word after that just emitted pure bliss from beginning to end. I listened to this 5 times since I started typing this blog article. His voice was unique and just sexy. His phrasing was top notch. Fantastic!
HALL OF FAME
To be considered for the Hall Of Fame, a contestant must have proven to have a voice that I could listen to day in and day out.
Previously inducted from Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
KELLY CLARKSON
TAMYRA GRAY
TRENYCE
RUBEN STUDDARD
CLAY AIKEN
KIMBERLEY LOCKE
FANTASIA BARRINO
JENNIFER HUDSON
LATOYA LONDON
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
BO BICE
VONZELL SOLOMON
PARIS BENNETT
KATHARINE MCPHEE
ELLIOTT YAMIN
CHRIS DAUGHTRY
MANDISA
MELINDA DOOLITTLE
LAKISHA JONES
JORDIN SPARKS
I will preface my inductees by saying that this is one of my favorite seasons. The talent pool was diverse and generous. I am inducting 6. 6 contestants who always seemed like the "Friends" cast of American Idol. Just had a certain professionalism that stood out above the rest.
1st inductee........
DAVID COOK
2nd inductee......
BROOKE WHITE
3rd inductee......
SYESHA MERCADO
4th inductee.......
DAVID ARCHULETA
5th inductee.....
CARLY SMITHSON
and final inductee.....
MICHAEL JOHNS.....RIP
Since I brought it up....
Monica - Carly
Phoebe - Brooke
Rachel - Syesha
Chandler - David C.
Ross - David A.
Joey - Michael
Season 7 is definitely in my top 3 of overall seasons. What seasons did you love? Comment below!
Until next time........
THE FINALIST
DAVID HERNANDEZ
Nice vocals. Tended to sound like he was screaming at times.
AMANDA OVERMYER
Had such a unique grit to her voice. I feel like the show put a lid on her true potential.
CHIKEZIE
Smooth vocals. His personality never sat right with me.
RAMIELE MALUBAY
Nice tone but was never really confident. Just wasn't ready.
MICHAEL JOHNS
Voice was so sexy. Very much a throwback to 70's rock.
KRISTY LEE COOK
Bland vocals. Picked up the country vote for the season.
CARLY SMITHSON
This lady had one of the most powerful voices. Her tone was beautiful.
BROOKE WHITE
I loved her vibe. She made me feel so comfortable. She seemed under rehearsed at times but that doesn't take away from her singer/songwriter vocals.
JASON CASTRO
I never got him. I think that he didn't have much of a voice. He was just able to float on style and appeal.
SYESHA MERCADO
Amazing vocals. She finessed most of her vocals. Moments where she lost her way. She had some really great moments.
DAVID ARCHULETA
He was a master at his craft. So young but yet so talented.
DAVID COOK
He flipped the song and made it work each time. I felt like he believed in himself and I believed in him. One of my favorite winners.
WHO GOT ROBBED.......
ALEXANDREA LUSHINGTON
Alexandrea Lushington - Spinning Wheel
Her last name described her tone to a tee. I don't get how she could have gotten eliminated so early. She clearly had one of the best voices that season.
ASIA'H EPPERSON
Asia'h Epperson - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
I thought that she would be in the top 12 easily. I don't know what went wrong for her but she left way too early. Her voice was so unique and could have been really interesting in later rounds.
DAVID HERNANDEZ
David Hernandez - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
He had the makings to be really really good. His musicality was cool and he, at least, didn't deserve to go out 12th. The whole stripper controversy ruined it for him.
MICHAEL JOHNS
Such a smooth voice. I wanted him to make it to Top 5, at least. RIP Michael. I am sure that you singing beautifully in Heaven.
CARLY SMITHSON
She sang the heck out of everything! Her vocals were so similar to Kelly in spots. I was expecting to see her in the finals.
TOP 12 PERFORMANCES
12. Carly Smithson - Come Together - Top 12
Carly Smithson - Come Together
This song is such a funky kind of song. It brings the inner wild child in me. Carly possessed each lyric with a great level of commitment.
11. Carly Smithson - Blackbird - Top 11
Carly Smithson - Blackbird
Blackbird really showcased the beauty in Carly's voice. Yes, there was a lyric flub but she recovered well from it. Here is where she proved that she had pipes to go along with that power.
10. Syesha Mercado - Yesterday - Top 11
Syesha Mercado - Yesterday
Stunningly beautiful. Syesha knew how to use her voice. Some parts went a little sharp and out of sorts but for the most part, this was absolutely beautiful.
9. Brooke White - Let It Be - Top 12
Brooke White - Let It Be
Brooke really found her stride at the piano. This was one of her more solid performances.
8. David Cook - Always Be My Baby - Top 7
David Cook - Always Be My Baby
David had a way of restructuring songs to fit him and his style. This was my performance from him. I loved other things but this one was magical. It seemed like he wrote it.
7. Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar - Top 6
Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar
Hard to believe that she was voted out after this amazing performance. I loved her power behind this. I was convinced. I really enjoyed the fill-in adlibs from time to time.
6. David Archuleta - Smoky Mountain Memories - Top 9
David Archuleta - Smoky Mountain Memories
He took this song that I have never heard and had me singing it at karaoke the next week. I loved his sense of freedom throughout the song. I felt the emotional connection.
5. Carly Smithson - Here You Come Again - Top 9
Carly Smithson - Here You Come Again
Her most vulnerable performance. Each note was thought out and she was so connected. Just absolutely beautiful.
4. Syesha Mercado - If I Were Your Woman - Top 10
Syesha Mercado - If I Were Your Woman
I knew that she meant business after this performance. That vocal control was on point. Syesha definitely knew the musicality of a song. The dynamics were fantastic.
3. Syesha Mercado - Vanishing - Top 7
Syesha Mercado - Vanishing
She made this song memorable. Her storytelling voice fit this like a glove. Gorgeous.
2. David Archuleta - Imagine - Semi Finals
David Archuleta - Imagine
There are not enough good things that I can say about this performance. The guitar intro set the tone. David's voice was so magical. His phrasing was brilliant. I listened to this for about a month nonstop afterwards.
1. Michael Johns - It's All Wrong But It's All Right - Top 9
Michael Johns - It's All Wrong But It's All Right
This is probably not PC at all but I got pregnant from the first "Hello". Every note and word after that just emitted pure bliss from beginning to end. I listened to this 5 times since I started typing this blog article. His voice was unique and just sexy. His phrasing was top notch. Fantastic!
HALL OF FAME
To be considered for the Hall Of Fame, a contestant must have proven to have a voice that I could listen to day in and day out.
Previously inducted from Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
KELLY CLARKSON
TAMYRA GRAY
TRENYCE
RUBEN STUDDARD
CLAY AIKEN
KIMBERLEY LOCKE
FANTASIA BARRINO
JENNIFER HUDSON
LATOYA LONDON
CARRIE UNDERWOOD
BO BICE
VONZELL SOLOMON
PARIS BENNETT
KATHARINE MCPHEE
ELLIOTT YAMIN
CHRIS DAUGHTRY
MANDISA
MELINDA DOOLITTLE
LAKISHA JONES
JORDIN SPARKS
I will preface my inductees by saying that this is one of my favorite seasons. The talent pool was diverse and generous. I am inducting 6. 6 contestants who always seemed like the "Friends" cast of American Idol. Just had a certain professionalism that stood out above the rest.
1st inductee........
DAVID COOK
2nd inductee......
BROOKE WHITE
3rd inductee......
SYESHA MERCADO
4th inductee.......
DAVID ARCHULETA
5th inductee.....
CARLY SMITHSON
and final inductee.....
MICHAEL JOHNS.....RIP
Since I brought it up....
Monica - Carly
Phoebe - Brooke
Rachel - Syesha
Chandler - David C.
Ross - David A.
Joey - Michael
Season 7 is definitely in my top 3 of overall seasons. What seasons did you love? Comment below!
Until next time........
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