American Idol Overhaul: Season 8
Well since I could never audition for Idol again, this season was when I really just enjoyed it. I stopped saying "That could have been me" or "I am better than him" lol. What a great season! Great talent in all genres. Lots of changes this season. They went back to group semi finals instead of gender. A top 13 instead of 12. We witnessed the judge's save for the first time. Now we also have a 4th judge. Jam packed with all sorts of surprises.
THE FINALISTS
JASMINE MURRAY
Sweet and solid vocals. Never had much of a fanbase. The judges believed in her but America didn't get her.
JORGE NUNEZ
He had a very nice voice. When you have talents like you had in this season, it was easy to get swallowed up in the mix.
ALEXIS GRACE
Spunky but never quite picked the right songs. She had a lot of voice for her little stature.
MICHAEL SARVER
His voice was good at times but it never excited me. Big guy with a nice voice.
MEGAN JOY
This was where all of the "quirky" business started. She had a decent voice if she really focused. Unfortunately, she never did. Who can forget her dang gone "caw" cry during Rockin' Robin???
SCOTT MACINTRYE
Nice voice. Wasn't as strong as his fellow contestants. Definitely more in the Michael Bolton/Josh Groban lane.
LIL ROUNDS
R&B was her game but she didn't get her footing in the finals. She seemed to lose her way by picking wrong songs throughout.
ANOOP DESAI
He tried to get the R&B vote but came off as trying too hard at times. Had some good moments but never found his way.
MATT GIRAUD
Definitely talented. His arrangements were creative. His voice was soothing in parts.
ALLISON IRAHETA
She came out of the gate swinging and never let up. She got zero airtime prior to semi finals and hit them so hard with her powerful voice.
DANNY GOKEY
Nice husky voice with a lot of emotion. His story had him pegged to win but a lot of contestants didn't come to play games.
ADAM LAMBERT
Glam rock on Idol. Killer vocals. Great stage presence. His voice got a little screechy at times especially when he was in his upper register. Overall, pro on the stage.
KRIS ALLEN
Such a likable guy with a sweet voice. Had some interesting arrangements. He was definitely the quiet storm of the season. He came out from behind and swept the whole competition. I didn't see that coming at all.
WHO GOT ROBBED........
RICKY BRADDY
Dude could sing his face off. Right amount of runs. Great tone. Another one that just left in the dust for no reason. His vocals were superb.
MISHAVONNA HENSON
Mishavonna Henson - Drops Of Jupiter
Such an interesting voice. She was in the same group with lots of big dogs. I don't understand why she didn't get a wildcard spot.
JU'NOT JOYNER
Ju'Not Joyner - Hey There Delilah
His take on Hey There Delilah will go down in history as being one of the best. It was smooth. It told a story. Missed opportunity on AI's part.
FELICIA BARTON
Felicia Barton - No One
That voice! Solid, committed, and beautiful. So much great talent. If she and the other 3 had made it into the Top 13 instead of some of the others, it would have been a season of great performances all around.
ALEXIS GRACE
Alexis Grace - Dirty Diana
Her 11th place finish was unexpected. I thought that she had the fanbase to make it to 8th, at least.
ALLISON IRAHETA
I thought that is was going to be an Adam/Allison final. That would have kicked butt! Taking nothing away from Kris, because he was amazing in his own right. Just think about that for a minute.....Adam and Allison duking it out for the top spot!
TOP 12 PERFORMANCES
12. Allison Iraheta - Alone - Semi Finals
Allison Iraheta - Alone
This is how you introduce yourself to an audience. Her tone was just so interesting and beautiful. She went from soft to powerful with the most masterful of executions.
11. Adam Lambert - Cryin' - Top 3
Adam Lambert - Cryin'
He just drove this on home. When he hit the choruses, it was brilliant. His high notes are ridiculous.
10. Allison Iraheta - Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Top 10
Allison Iraheta - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
So much grit and soul throughout. She totally immersed herself into the song. The ending....yes please!!!!
9. Allison Iraheta - Cry Baby - Top 4
Allison Iraheta - Cry Baby
Delivered with so much passion and soul. Her voice just hit it hard from the jump. Every "Cry Baby" had so much impact.
8. Allison Iraheta - I Can't Make You Love Me - Top 8
Allison Iraheta - I Can't Make You Love Me
So beautiful. She sang a different song from her usual rock style but still infused herself into the performance. When she went up the octave at the end, it was marvelous.
7. Kris Allen - Falling Slowly - Top 7 Pt. 1
Kris Allen - Falling Slowly
Most of the TV audience, me included, had never heard this song before. It was so captivating and beautiful. His delivery was so heartfelt.
6. Ricky Braddy - A Song For You - Semi Finals
Ricky Braddy - A Song For You
If he had picked a better song during wildcards, he would have totally been in the final 5. Listen to the vocal placement and choices. Brilliant.
5. Kris Allen - Heartless - Top 3
Kris Allen - Heartless
He solidified his spot in the finals with this performance. This arrangement was a breath of fresh air. It showcased his vocals and artistry.
4. Adam Lambert - Ring Of Fire - Top 11
Adam Lambert - Ring Of Fire
Such a departure from the original and it worked! Bravo on that key change towards the end. Vocal placement was on point!
3. Adam Lambert - Whole Lotta Love - Top 4
Adam Lambert - Whole Lotta Love
You need a voice of steel to pull this off. And yes, Adam has that in spades. He owned the entire song. Not once did he let up.
2. Adam Lambert - One - Top 3
Adam Lambert - One
Definitely one of his more refined moments. His approach was magical. The arc of the story was told in his vocals.
1. Adam Lambert - Mad World - Top 8
Adam Lambert - Mad World
Every vocal nuance had purpose. His voice just wrapped around each lyric. His musical theater background really paid off here. If Simon stands up for your performance, you have accomplished something.
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, 6, and 7
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
DAVID COOK
BROOKE WHITE
SYESHA MERCADO
DAVID ARCHULETA
CARLY SMITHSON
MICHAEL JOHNS
1st inductee is.......
KRIS ALLEN
2nd inductee is.......
ADAM LAMBERT
Final inductee is......
ALLISON IRAHETA
Another one of my favorite seasons.
Until next time.....
THE FINALISTS
JASMINE MURRAY
Sweet and solid vocals. Never had much of a fanbase. The judges believed in her but America didn't get her.
JORGE NUNEZ
He had a very nice voice. When you have talents like you had in this season, it was easy to get swallowed up in the mix.
ALEXIS GRACE
Spunky but never quite picked the right songs. She had a lot of voice for her little stature.
MICHAEL SARVER
His voice was good at times but it never excited me. Big guy with a nice voice.
MEGAN JOY
This was where all of the "quirky" business started. She had a decent voice if she really focused. Unfortunately, she never did. Who can forget her dang gone "caw" cry during Rockin' Robin???
SCOTT MACINTRYE
Nice voice. Wasn't as strong as his fellow contestants. Definitely more in the Michael Bolton/Josh Groban lane.
LIL ROUNDS
R&B was her game but she didn't get her footing in the finals. She seemed to lose her way by picking wrong songs throughout.
ANOOP DESAI
He tried to get the R&B vote but came off as trying too hard at times. Had some good moments but never found his way.
MATT GIRAUD
Definitely talented. His arrangements were creative. His voice was soothing in parts.
ALLISON IRAHETA
She came out of the gate swinging and never let up. She got zero airtime prior to semi finals and hit them so hard with her powerful voice.
DANNY GOKEY
Nice husky voice with a lot of emotion. His story had him pegged to win but a lot of contestants didn't come to play games.
ADAM LAMBERT
Glam rock on Idol. Killer vocals. Great stage presence. His voice got a little screechy at times especially when he was in his upper register. Overall, pro on the stage.
KRIS ALLEN
Such a likable guy with a sweet voice. Had some interesting arrangements. He was definitely the quiet storm of the season. He came out from behind and swept the whole competition. I didn't see that coming at all.
WHO GOT ROBBED........
RICKY BRADDY
Dude could sing his face off. Right amount of runs. Great tone. Another one that just left in the dust for no reason. His vocals were superb.
MISHAVONNA HENSON
Mishavonna Henson - Drops Of Jupiter
Such an interesting voice. She was in the same group with lots of big dogs. I don't understand why she didn't get a wildcard spot.
JU'NOT JOYNER
Ju'Not Joyner - Hey There Delilah
His take on Hey There Delilah will go down in history as being one of the best. It was smooth. It told a story. Missed opportunity on AI's part.
FELICIA BARTON
Felicia Barton - No One
That voice! Solid, committed, and beautiful. So much great talent. If she and the other 3 had made it into the Top 13 instead of some of the others, it would have been a season of great performances all around.
ALEXIS GRACE
Alexis Grace - Dirty Diana
Her 11th place finish was unexpected. I thought that she had the fanbase to make it to 8th, at least.
ALLISON IRAHETA
I thought that is was going to be an Adam/Allison final. That would have kicked butt! Taking nothing away from Kris, because he was amazing in his own right. Just think about that for a minute.....Adam and Allison duking it out for the top spot!
TOP 12 PERFORMANCES
12. Allison Iraheta - Alone - Semi Finals
Allison Iraheta - Alone
This is how you introduce yourself to an audience. Her tone was just so interesting and beautiful. She went from soft to powerful with the most masterful of executions.
11. Adam Lambert - Cryin' - Top 3
Adam Lambert - Cryin'
He just drove this on home. When he hit the choruses, it was brilliant. His high notes are ridiculous.
10. Allison Iraheta - Papa Was A Rolling Stone - Top 10
Allison Iraheta - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
So much grit and soul throughout. She totally immersed herself into the song. The ending....yes please!!!!
9. Allison Iraheta - Cry Baby - Top 4
Allison Iraheta - Cry Baby
Delivered with so much passion and soul. Her voice just hit it hard from the jump. Every "Cry Baby" had so much impact.
8. Allison Iraheta - I Can't Make You Love Me - Top 8
Allison Iraheta - I Can't Make You Love Me
So beautiful. She sang a different song from her usual rock style but still infused herself into the performance. When she went up the octave at the end, it was marvelous.
7. Kris Allen - Falling Slowly - Top 7 Pt. 1
Kris Allen - Falling Slowly
Most of the TV audience, me included, had never heard this song before. It was so captivating and beautiful. His delivery was so heartfelt.
6. Ricky Braddy - A Song For You - Semi Finals
Ricky Braddy - A Song For You
If he had picked a better song during wildcards, he would have totally been in the final 5. Listen to the vocal placement and choices. Brilliant.
5. Kris Allen - Heartless - Top 3
Kris Allen - Heartless
He solidified his spot in the finals with this performance. This arrangement was a breath of fresh air. It showcased his vocals and artistry.
4. Adam Lambert - Ring Of Fire - Top 11
Adam Lambert - Ring Of Fire
Such a departure from the original and it worked! Bravo on that key change towards the end. Vocal placement was on point!
3. Adam Lambert - Whole Lotta Love - Top 4
Adam Lambert - Whole Lotta Love
You need a voice of steel to pull this off. And yes, Adam has that in spades. He owned the entire song. Not once did he let up.
2. Adam Lambert - One - Top 3
Adam Lambert - One
Definitely one of his more refined moments. His approach was magical. The arc of the story was told in his vocals.
1. Adam Lambert - Mad World - Top 8
Adam Lambert - Mad World
Every vocal nuance had purpose. His voice just wrapped around each lyric. His musical theater background really paid off here. If Simon stands up for your performance, you have accomplished something.
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, 6, and 7
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
DAVID COOK
BROOKE WHITE
SYESHA MERCADO
DAVID ARCHULETA
CARLY SMITHSON
MICHAEL JOHNS
1st inductee is.......
KRIS ALLEN
2nd inductee is.......
ADAM LAMBERT
Final inductee is......
ALLISON IRAHETA
Another one of my favorite seasons.
Until next time.....
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