Round One was the contestant’s choice. Adam gave us an encore version “Mad World.” I still find myself randomly singing it. Kris shared “Ain’t No Sunshine” once more reminding us when he started to pull away from the pack. And to a shocking start, Simon gives this round to Kris!

Simon Fuller (creator of Idol) dictated Round Two. Adam belted “A Change Is Gonna Come” with his high power notes, as usual. The judges declared it his best performance of the season. Kris strummed “What is Going On,” channeling Kenny Loggins’ laid-back style. The judges thought he was too laid-back and it wasn’t big enough for the finale. Chalk this round up to Adam.

Round Three was the coronation song audition. Adam gave the best raw vocal interpretation of “No Boundaries,” but it was kind of weird hearing such a sappy song out of Adam. I just don’t think the song did Adam justice. I think this song is just a little too big for Kris, although with a key change it could fit his voice nicely for radio. Honestly, this song just didn’t do it for me and be something the winner will just have to suffer through before the real first single will come out. All the judges made it very clear that Adam won that round hands down.

Honestly, we all know that making it to the finale on American Idol pretty much guarantees one an industry “in.” 19 Records will snatch up both Adam and Kris, giving each a legitimate chance of superstardom in the music world, just as they have every other winner and runner-up for the past several seasons now.

Contestants often say it doesn’t matter if they win and nonchalantly fall back on the “sometimes it is better not to win – Chris Daughtry obviously did well” catch phrase (I’m guilty). At this stage of the game this is most likely true. It is going to be up to Adam and Kris to make their careers happen, but it really is getting harder for Idols out in the “real” world. It will be interesting to see who will join Kris and Adam with a deal.

And for the record, my money is on Adam to take it all. He is the better singer, but Kris is the better artist. You may disagree – which is your prerogative – but that is my opinion.

I thought both of them performed at finale caliber tonight. And I think Adam will win. But I will personally buy Kris’ album the day it is released.

My last post for this season will be tomorrow night. I have deeply enjoyed our time together, and the e-mails you have sent. I have a record coming out Aug. 25 and if you would like to hear an album full of songs that go deeper than anything I could have done on my own … check the record out. It’s called “Into the Light.” Thanks and be blessed.

The poll also names Jason Castro as this season’s most overrated singer and Michael Johns as the loser most likely to win in the end.

Thoughts?

I hope it stays that way. I’d hate to lose one of the most watchable of the remaining contestants. Especially one who regularly dons a KC Royals cap.

Apparently, she of the fingerless gloves and senseless sentences plans to perform on live television. Soon.