Phil Stacey's Idol Thoughts

We have finally made it to the end of the audition phase of the competition and I am pumped about Hollywood week! I think there is a nice pool of talent to draw on as we move forward. We end up in New York and Puerto Rico… and I must say we ended on a high note!

We started the night off with Adeola Adegoke who sang “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson. That was my first clue that she wasn’t going to Hollywood for the same reason I know it can’t be good when people say they are going to sing “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. Adeola was so sure she was making it to Hollywood, she quit her job. The tender side of Simon came out and he helped her out by calling her boss to get her job back.

Jorge Nunez, our first Puerto Rican audition, brought the Latino flare that Idol hasn’t seen yet. Hey Ricky Martin has been gone for quite awhile! I think he can do well if he is able to translate his style into Idol format.

Jessika Baier paid for her trip and nine friends by winning singing contests – over 700 in her lifetime! She has a nice voice but was a bit over the top. I think Simon was a bit hard by saying she was horrible. I don’t know if something was wrong with my television because I didn’t think she was as bad as the judges let on. Well, at least she is making a decent living doing what she loves.

Melinda Camille, the resident hippie who loves to dance naked in her room, sang “Feeling Good.” Her voice was nice but her personality and likability is what really shined. America will love her, especially Dave over at Vote For the Worst (I can only imagine what they will do with the whole nudist comments).

Jackie Tohn is a 10-year musician veteran whose dad taught her to play guitar. I thought she started off a bit weird and I couldn’t see her fitting in with the various weekly styles until her second song using her “normal singing voice.” The judges gave her four yeses. She is not my favorite, but I think she could do well.

“Norman Gentle,” obviously someone who relies on comedy vs. talent to win people over, sings “And I Am Telling You.” His plan worked and finally won Simon over – making the judge acknowledge he was a bit funny. He then sang “Amazing Grace” and had a decent voice until he went into the second verse and went back into his cabaret. This didn’t detour the judges because they want to be entertained in Hollywood.

Monique Garcia Torres has a sweet voice that doesn’t win over all of the judges. She depends on her cute 9-year-old brother, Christopher, to charm Simon. She makes it to Hollywood by the skin of her brother’s teeth.

We got a brief look at Kendall Beard who has gotten a lot of buzz on the Internet. She had a great voice so I’m sure her fans (and yes, people are already choosing favorites) are happy.

As this season’s auditions wind down, a familiar face shows up. Alexis Cohen, the very angry, bitter rocker who used the finger quite frequently last year is back. She has now changed her attitude and is taking a calm zen approach to this year’s audition. Simon (and Kara) said she got worse and immediately the finger was up again. I think she is now one of Simon’s favorite people.

Patricia Lewis Roman was our last audition, singing in the exact spot her parents were married. The judges were not happy with “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” but let her through after a second song. I think if she can find a way to stand out in Hollywood, she has a chance to capitalize on her international flare.

Now on to question and answer. If you have a question about American Idol, I encourage you to send it to me at staceypro@yahoo.com.

Ellen from Wichita writes, “Phil, We would like to know how the stories come up on the show. How do some people get their life stories talked about and some don’t? What is the deal with that?”

The truth is, many of the auditions get their stories filmed, but the producer has to choose the stories that seem the most interesting. It’s all about finding something that will intrigue the audience. That is how those stories are chosen.

Well, next week the fun begins. Hollywood week is exhausting and busy, but it provides an atmosphere where the best stand out. I can’t wait to see it with you! Until then, be safe.

My Idol experience began in Jacksonville – my hometown while serving in the Navy. And may I say it is a wonderful surrogate hometown. If someone from Jacksonville goes far, they will definitely throw their support behind him – I know from first-hand experience. Thanks, Jacksonville!

I just got back to Nashville yesterday from Jacksonville and the rumors of who has made it through Hollywood week are flying around. Those who are official semifinalists have most likely just found out and will spend the next month desperately trying to keep anyone else from finding out. Idol is very serious about not tolerating leaks for the obvious reasons.

I actually had a close call of people finding out I had made the show because unlike normal jobs – I couldn’t just quit the Navy! The person taking my place as the vocalist in my Navy Band told his wife what was happening. She innocently decided she should go online and share the good news. So after making the show – I thought I was off the show for at least one LONG hour!

So as we speak- our new contestants are probably hiding under rocks or visiting a relative far away, doing everything they can to avoid having to answer questions about how far they made it. Or at least they should be…

On to tonight’s show…

We had some nice talent tonight, especially towards the end of the show. I feel like there is much more talent in Jacksonville than was showcased. I’m sure the initial first round let some good singers go. Our loss.

We started the night off with Joshua Ulloa, the Justin Guarani look-alike, singing my audition song – Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Obviously the judges like the song because JAX is one for one.

Darin Darnell was the “life of the party” until his friend (who I think he met in line) got cut and then the funeral music started with “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye.” I understand feeling bad for your friends but this is taking it a bit far.

Naomi Sykes, the antsy blonde who sang “Loving You,” faked me out because I initially thought, along with Simon, that this must have been a joke or stunt to get her friend in to meet Randy. I must remind myself of the first rule of American Idol’s success: they really think they are good. I felt bad for her as Simon obviously did also.

The judges seem to agree that the first day of auditions were “mostly terrible.” The second day did show us better talent and gave us more hopefuls for Hollywood.

However, George, the physics student who takes everything literal, was not one of those auditions. He brought the awkwardness that America loves to watch during Idol auditions. His kind (the genius nerd that is just a bit socially inept) auditioning for Idol is a real mystery to me. He seems like someone that would be fun and interesting to hang out with, having a real quirky sense of humor. I would assume he has never even seen the show let alone have a desire to audition. He didn’t appear to be an attention-getter or even remotely interested in music. But he did audition. And I loved it.

Anne Marie Boskovich, the standout from Jacksonville, has a great voice but the judges didn’t see her embracing her inner star. She was sent out and told to come back a reinvented person. She did win the judges over. She reminded me of Katherine McPhee – someone who did grow into a star over the course of the show. I think she could go far.

After not making it through last season, second time was a charm for T.K. Hash. I thought he did well but agree with Randy that he oversang a little. Finding the fine line of letting the song really shine and showing America your vocal ability in just seconds is hard and something all contestants face each week.

I felt Michael Perrelli got the shaft! He is an artist that is in his element with a guitar. There have been much worse voices let through to Hollywood. I believe him that he will do anything and everything he can to make it. I wish him the best!

I was surprised we didn’t have any sailors representing Jacksonville or a huge tear-jerker story to end with. Oh well… Tomorrow is a new day…

I didn’t think they went quite far enough with the “Jackson”-ville puns so I included it in my title! Remember to keep e-mailing me at staceypro@yahoo.com.

Another audition episode has come and gone. We spent the evening with Idol hopefuls in San Francisco.

Before I talk about tonight’s show, I am going to change things up a bit and answer a question that Tamera Karol from Wichita, KS e-mailed me.

Well, Tamera really didn’t have a specific question per se, she just wanted to let me know (in a very kind, letting me down gentle kind of way) that she doesn’t think I’m witty enough or have enough “perceptive critiques.” She said she really isn’t interested in the behind-the-scene info and wants more affirmation that others are thinking what she is thinking.

If I were witty or snarky I probably would insert a tongue-in-cheek comment here… hinting at the fact that when one is a contestant on Idol, he earns the right to say what he wants to say how he wants to say it.

But that isn’t me.

Instead, I think this is a great time to give all of you my personal philosophy for my Idol blogs. There are 29,999,999 critics sitting in homes all across America. I just don’t want to be one joining in on the bashing for bashing sake. I hope that when you and the Idols read something from me, it will be insightful, constructive, honest and with a unique perspective. I actually know and have experienced what is going on, unlike every other reporter writing on this subject. I have been in the contestants’ shoes and know what they and their families are going through.

Now that you know my blogging philosophy you will understand when I say tonight’s show was bad… it was really BAD! There were only really two redeeming auditions and if they were shown on any other night they would be an afterthought.

We started the evening with Tatiana del Toro, from Puerto Rico, somehow talking her way into a golden ticket. I don’t know if the producers felt that they just needed a big personality for Hollywood but I know they turned down much more talented singers.

Next the judges are getting ready to turn down Jesus Valenzuela, but he talks his children into the room. How are the judges going to tell him no in front of his children – holding their homemade signs for Daddy? I understand the power of the backstory including children, but one has to have something to back it up with. So instead of letting Jesus get on with his life they let him through to Hollywood. Now if the producers want real tearjerking drama – they would film the children receiving the phone call from Hollywood that their dad was cut.

The rest of the one-hour show was mostly made up of uneventful bad auditions.

Akilah Askew Gholston actually stood out. During her warm-ups I thought we might have found a diamond in the rough. I quickly realized she was not going to go far but was worried the judges would let her through! All is not lost; she could always give vocal lessons – as long as her students aren’t sticklers for proper pronunciation.

It looked like there were several interesting and promising auditioners that were put through, but the producers just didn’t want to bother us viewers with good singing.

The best of the night was “Wicked” cast member, Adam Lambert. He has a rocker vibe with a little too much Broadway sound but has a great voice. His audition was solid and he has room to grow and improve – just how America likes it!

Kia Kalama was the last contender of the evening. He has put his life on hold to take care of his sick mother and a lot of time is spent getting to know him. His audition was pretty good. I don’t know if he will make it out of Hollywood but we will probably see him again.

OK, let’s put San Francisco behind us and off to Louisville! I know the home of my family and birthplace has to bring out some great talent!

Don’t forget to e-mail me your questions at staceypro@yahoo.com. And thanks to Tamera Karol for being a good sport! She really was kind in her e-mail! Much love to ya…

First of all, let me say thanks so much to Denise who has been a huge help to me in getting this blog set up.  I’m really excited about taking you all behind the scenes throughout this coming year, but first…

Welcome to Season 8 of American Idol! I believe we are in for a good season! The touching montage in the beginning piqued my interest and made me want to spot the next Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, or Kelly Clarkson. The rumor is that this season has some changes in store for us, which is also very intriguing.

Obviously the new judge, Kara DioGuardi, will make one of the most front-of-camera impacts. I really like her. She is fun and opinionated and a real expert in her field. Kara’s song writing/choice expertise will add to the show. I learned first hand how song choice could make or break you (“Where the Blacktop Ends” helped secure me a record deal). I just hope Kara is OK with answering to “the other judge” for the rest of her Idol career.

Hard core fans already know that Nigel Lythgoe, Idol’s co-executive producer has left the show to pursue other projects. Nigel had a huge impact on how Idol flowed and many have predicted that his absence would be detrimental to its existence. However, Ken Warwick, the other executive producer, proved himself a highly valuable commodity tonight. Only time will tell how Nigel’s absences will affect the show.

There were several auditions that stood out to me, but since it is only the first episode, we can assume that only one or two of those auditioning will make it to the finals. If I were to guess, I would give the edge to Emily Wynne-Hughes and Scott MacIntyre. Emily was the rocker girl who sang “Barracuda” at the very beginning of the show. Scott is the talented pianist/singer who has overcome a disability to do extraordinary things. The reason I would pick them is because they were given more face time on camera, thus endearing the audience to them a little more than the others.

On a side note this show reminded me of a Mr./Miss American Idol pageant. First, Miss Congeniality would be awarded to Lea Marie Golde, the young Kara fan who donned an entire pink matching costume, cowboy hat included. I felt she was a sweet girl who would find great success in a small town beauty pageant. I would give the Public Service/ Platform award to Arianna Afbar who was pushing the “adopt a grand-friend” program. Arianna also has a great voice and would do great in the talent competition! Of course, the bathing suit competition would go to Katrina Darrell, the only contestant to wear a bikini on the show. By the way, props to Katrina for finding a way to stand out, even if it does offend half the Idol viewing audience and makes parents rethink its family friendly label. Getting through those first rounds is all about luck unless you can pull (or take) off something like that…

I want to take the opportunity to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to email anything you may be curious about. Here is the first question:

Lexi from Pittsburg, PA writes, “What was your favorite thing about Idol and what do you miss the most?”

My favorite thing about Idol was becoming a public figure and being recognized as a good role model by people. What I miss the most are the friends I made while I was on the show. We have all stayed pretty busy, so we hardly ever get to see each other. But we do still keep in touch as often as we can.

If you have any questions about Idol, send them to me at staceypro@yahoo.com. Tomorrow night, I’ll get a little more behind the scenes of the Idol auditions.