I have exciting news tonight. As of yesterday, I have officially joined the Sony music family by signing a deal with Provident/Reunion Records. The record will hopefully be released early to mid-summer. My dear friend and fellow Idol finalist Chris Sligh has written a song called “Here Comes Goodbye” which is quickly becoming a smash hit for Rascal Flatts on country radio. It is their debut single from their new record “Unstoppable,” due in stores April 7. So congrats to both Chris and the Flatts.
Many who audition this year will be quickly forgotten, but a select few will prosper in the music industry. Maybe even a few who do not end up placing in the Top 2… Who will it be…
Salt Lake City was an incredible night for auditions. There were a lot of great singers that came through, but more importantly – great backstories.
The night started with a bang when Davis Osmond soulfully crooned a Take 6 tune. The song choice did not impress the judges, but the voice did. He is through.
Frankie Jordan and Megan Corkrey are both young moms who audition with very jazzy and unique voices. They both make it through easily. Simon is very impressed with Megan in particular.
Austin Sisneros is his senior class’s president and hopes to woo the judges. His personality makes him stand out, and I was far more impressed with his voice than the judges were.
Taylor Vaifanua gives a sweet performance of “Joyful, Joyful.” I can see her doing well with Colbie Caillat-type songs.
Our last contestant of the episode is Rose Flack. It could be the backstory, it could be the personality, but Rose is my favorite audition so far this year… She isn’t a performer. She is an artist. Her voice is melancholy and sad, with good reason. She has experienced much tragedy in her short life and it shows in her eyes and her tone. She could be amazing recorded. If we were in the ’60s, she would already be a star.
There were a few bad auditions shown tonight and one of them just really weirded me out. Chris Kirkham came in to audition and had a guy dressed in a giant pink bunny outfit come with him. Creepy. He had an OK voice actually, but it was just weird.
I want to make time to answer questions people have about the show and I encourage you to e-mail them to me if you have them. I can be reached at staceypro@yahoo.com.
Here is the question for the week:
“Okay, Phil. WHY are the obvious no-talent losers allowed by the initial screeners to step into the throne room and “perform” for the judges while countless others with at least mediocre talent are told no from the get-go? Do they sign some sort of permission slip/waiver allowing them to be publicly humiliated on A.I.? Are they paid for this humiliation? Surely I’m not the only one who wants to know.”
The “no-talent losers” are sought out to make the show more interesting. As a judge, you aren’t necessarily looking for “good” or “bad.” What you are looking for is something interesting and intriguing. The audience is fascinated with people who think they are good, when they really are not. These people aren’t losers. They are just folks like you and me who want to be good at something they love to do. Everyone signs a contract, which is available from americanidol.com during the audition season. This contract gives the show permission to present you in any way they deem necessary. And finally, no one is paid for an audition. Thanks!
Tomorrow night is the last night of the city auditions and it should be interesting. Next week, the real competition begins in Hollywood. I can’t wait to see who shines and who fall under the pressure. Until then, be safe.
7 Comments
Congratulations Phil on your contract and Congratulations to Chris Sligh! I saw a brief video of him performing Here Comes Goodbye…and was very impressed with the song and hs performance. He said he had to wait to perform it until Rascal Flatts had either recorded it or let it drop. Now he gets royalties! Good for him! He seems like a genuinely nice guy (as do you) and its nice to see nice people succeed doing what they love.
I bet neither one of you would have yelled at your mom on national tv when she tried to console you for not winning American Idol. I’m sorry, but Michael guitar guy lost me with that trick. And if they won’t let the blind guy play his piano in the audition why would they let this able bodied kid play his guitar?
I liked Salt Lake City too. They were a little tough on David Osmond but hey…he’s semi-pro and can take it and he did so graciously.
I’m torn torn torn between Megan and Rose. IF they make it past Hollywood I will probably be voting equally between them.
Here is my new pet peeve. This is the second night that Randy (*you can sing the phone book David Archuleta*) Jackson has criticized singers for doing too much melisma. Would that he had told Archie that. No wonder all these guys are coming in there running the notes to death. They thought (and based on Randy’s critiques last season justifiably so) that melisma is the key to success.
Don’t think I can stand another audition night but look forward to Hollywood Week.
Thanks for the answer Phil. I really don’t believe anyone is a loser… some are just musically inept. Which doesn’t make them a loser. No such thing. The contract….that explains it all. I am now informed.
Last night and tonight…….I’m just tired of these early auditions. Bring on Hollywood… although I too liked Austin the senior class president a lot. His voice was very nice and his spirit was so sincere and sweet. The others who made it were okay, too. Oh who am I kidding, I don’t remember any of them. Come on Hollywood.
hawkmama you crack me up! I don’t remember those I liked either except from the last show. I even forgot about the blind guy until they showed him on a Hollywood preview. Which goes to say, Phil, if you have any input into the show…tell them to ditch the auditions. It might have been fun the first few years for Simon to tell people how awful they are but now their audience has advanced beyond gong show and just wants to see really talented people compete! Remind Simon that Chuck Barris had a bad end.
You both crack me up! I too have a problem with remembering who i like and don’t like. I haven’t gotten attached to anyone. Once they get to Hollywood, I tend to find my favs and stick with them! As for last night, I liked the Osmond kid and I liked the 2 girls that were moms. They had unique voices. Not sure what will happen once they get to Hollywood, but we shall see. Simon told both of them that “he loved” them. Is Simon getting soft? lol Surely not! But this season it seems Randy has fallen off his pedestal. I used to like him because he would given an honest opinion and this year, he picks up on one little wierd voice flaw or he just laughs. What the heck? I am also impressed that Paula for the most part speaks coherently this season…will wonders never cease? As for Kara, she’s pretty straight forward only sometimes does she get off track easily. This season is just wierd for me! Anyway….
Phil, congrats on the new deal! That’s awesome. I wish you every success.
And for Chris, congrats as well! I heard the song the other day and was just mesmorized!!!! Its wonderful and I find myself humming it all the time! (Not to mention that RF is one of my favorite bands!!!)
I don’t think they gave enough credit to the Osmand guy. He was pretty good.
As for the guy with the pink rabbit. I thought he was pretty good too.
I don’t understand why people think gimmicks will get them in or get them farther???
As for the earlier comment about the blind guy playing a piano, what you saw was him in Hollywood, where they are allowed to use instruments (I think that started last year).
I am an avid fan of the show but, my interest is waning greatly. I usually enjoy the auditions, there’s just too much of them this time it seems. I was not thrilled to see an Osmond tryout. Come on guys like you don’t get enough exposure in your highlighted family as it is? It’s been my understanding that this show was dreated to find the “Talent” who normally would never get a break in the tough ol’ music biz. I even like the Osmonds but, they crossed the line with me. I won’t vote for him. I wouldn’t need to with all the enormous volume of family members and their friends he would surely get a phenomenol amout of votes. Nuff said about that.
I am enjoying the 4th judge Kara. Nice addition and it evens out the hormonal level although Simon or Ryan could double in that category heehee.
You are doing a nice job on the blog and congratulations about the Sony Contract.
I tend to agree w/most posters and initially was thinking along the same lines as HeeMaw regarding the Osmond boy. However, think about it this way. Maybe he DOESN’T WANT his family’s help – maybe he wants to do this on his OWN. I can totally see that….
I too have seen several that I like, and some that I don’t get through. I’m really looking forward to Hollywood and seeing what kind of chops these folks REALLY have. Bring it on!!!