Diana DeGarmo in OZ

You may or may not know this about me, but I was a HUGE Diana DeGarmo fan during Season 3. I'm not sure what it was about her but I was really pulling for her to win. Since her 2nd place finish to Fantasia she released her album (which I loved) and has been in various touring theatre productions, including playing Maria in West Side Story (which I saw in NorCal).

I try to keep tabs on my girl and when I saw this YouTube clip, I wanted to share it to make sure her name stays out in the universe. I'm still hoping for her to record a second album (there was a lot of speculation about her going country...) but until then, enjoy her in a new production of show called "OZ, The Musical" (not "The Wizard of Oz" or "Wicked") which is being directed by the guy who did "A Color Purple" on Broadway!

American Idol - Season 9

We haven't been posting on here for a hot minute but I think I'm going to resurrect it...

For now, let me just go on the record and put my stamp of approval on JERMAINE SELLERS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1VVkB3pBk

Season 8 Approaches, Melinda Doolittle Releases A Single

Season 8 of American Idol is just around the corner... can you believe it? There are lots of changes (Top 50! New judge! More Hollywood Week!) but I would love this show if everything had stayed the same.

Take a listen to new Melinda Doolittle material by signing up for her mailing list. You get a free song that is NOT available on iTunes (although there is another song available there for purchase).

What do you think?

David vs. David Finale!

Finally! The night we've been waiting for all season, the finale! It's David vs. David. Both have strengths and both have weaknesses. I think this is going to be another Ruben vs. Clay scenario where it's going to be so close. I'm excited to see what they have to offer. They better bring it!

David C - "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For". AWESOME! We finally get a U2 song on Idol. I hope he rocks it! Man this is such a classic song you can't go wrong with it. He sounds great on it. I would just love to see him open up and rock out just a tad bit more, but he's totally nailing the song. It just needs a tiny bit more angst to really soar. Great job though. Grade A-

David A - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me". This one has been done on Idol before (Clay was the most memorable performance of it). I'm excited to see what he does. I like the soft beginning but I really hope that he builds on that and starts sounding a little fuller in his voice. By the chorus he's really into it. I'm really digging this. I love the changes he made towards the end. I thought this was a really good performance as well. He seemed to really be into it as well and was finally "performing" rather than just singing. I loved it! Grade A-

David C - "Dream Big". Interesting, this isn't the song I thought he'd end up singing from the Idol Songwriting contest. I do like the rock vibe that he's given it though. It's actually tolerable. He can actually make this single work for the radio. He sounds great again. It wasn't as good as the first number, but for taking an unknown song and making us listen (and enjoy it) I think he did a great job. Grade A-

David A - "In This Moment". The song pretty much sucks but his voice sounds great on it. I love the swooping from the low to high note in the chorus. There's a lot of power behind it. However, he's just singing the song again instead of performing. Hm. I was really underwhelmed with the song but he sounds great. Grade B+

I am really shocked that they're actually pimping David A. I could have sworn that the producers were rooting for David C to win it all. I think they really don't care who will win (or they changed their mind and decided to make David A be the chosen one). I'm very curious to see how the last song goes and what the judges say in the end. This night is really not going the way I thought it was going to go. It's definitely exciting.

David C - "The World I Know". Why would he choose a song he's never done before? It seems like he's trying to throw the competition. We'll see if he really changes it up and works it out or just blows it. Hm, I think he screwed himself over with his song choice. It's not really doing anything to win people over. It's just a standard rock ballad. If he did his regular emo thing that builds on itself than it would have been better. It's just kinda boring. I think it was the wrong way to end his competition. Grade B

David A - "Imagine". We've all heard this one before and know that he can rock it out. If he performs it like he did the first time then I think he'll outshine David C on this round. Awesome. He sounded great, it was so heartfelt, and it was pure and beautiful. It was awesome! Grade A

Well, that does it. It was a great showdown. I think this will go down as one of the strongest (if not THE strongest) finale. It was will definitely rival Ruben vs. Clay and will probably be better than Carrie vs. Bo. The whole night was great. My prediction is that it's going to be very, very close but the winner of American Idol 7 will be David Archuleta!

Top 4 - Rock and Roll Week

Tonight will be pretty interesting because there are so many song choices for the contestants. I can't wait to see what they come up with. Let's get started.

David C - "Hungry Like a Wolf". Not the best song choice but it's definitely a rocker type song. He sounds good on it but doesn't really do anything special with it. It was just ok. Grade B.

Syesha - "Proud Mary". wow, she's correct in being nervous about this song. A lot of people have done it (and done it well). We'll see how she does. Great song though. She's dancing like Beyonce but sounds good. It's a fun performance. She's having fun with it and that makes it fun to watch. I liked it. Grade B+

Jason - "I Shot the Sheriff". I'm sure it'll be a good one for him, but I hate Bob Marley and reggae music. This is bad. He doesn't sound that great and it's a bad song. If he stays over Syesha I'll be upset. Grade D

David A - "Stand By Me". Classic standard. It'll be interesting to see what he does with it. It's a safe, karaoke performance but his voice is just so awesome that it sounds great. I love the little liberties he took on it. Grade B+

David C - "Baby O'Riley" I LOVE THIS SONG! man, if he rocks this I can see Simon saying that he just won with that song. This song is an anthem so if he rocks it everyone will get totally into it. I can't wait. I wish he didn't slow it down so much but I loved the slow crescendo. I just wish he would have actually rocked it out rather than make it an emo song. Grade A-

Syesha - "It's Been a Long Time Coming". She sounds great. Her voice is loud and clear. She's showing some great vulnerability and real emotion. She missed a couple of notes at the end but overall it was a great performance (again). Grade B+

Jason - "Mr. Tambourine Man". Well Bob Dylan is Jason's style so we'll see if does better with this one. Oh man, he forgot his words. It's over for Jason. If he makes it to next week it will be such a slap in the face. It's obvious that he's the weakest competitor left so he can't afford these types of mistakes. Grade C

David A - "Love Me Tender". This sounds like his dad picked the song. He has no idea what this song sounds like. Thankfully, he has an amazing voice. however, I hate this version of the song. It's so slow. Grade B

Jason is going home tomorrow. No ifs, ands, or buts. If anyone else goes home then it's a total slap in the face.

I hope that David C releases Baba o'Riley, Syesha releases Proud Mary, and David C releases Stand by Me as their singles this week.

Top 5 - Neil Diamond Week

I'm not too familiar with Neil Diamond songs so I think this will be interesting. At least it will be a good indication on how good everyone is depending on how engaged I stay with their performance.

Jason - Jason really needs to actually pay attention with what he's doing. He looks so stupid each week. He sounds ok on the song. It's nothing special but it doesn't sound bad. I feel like it's been a while since we've seen Jason play his guitar. He definitely seems more comfortable with it. Grade B

David C. - "I'm Alive". Again, it's good but not blowing me away at all. However, I can totally tell that this is a Neil Diamond song (even though I've never heard it). It was a good vocal but just an average performance. Grade B

Brooke - "I'm Believer". I feel like the key is too low for her voice. She still looks a little nervous in her eyes. Again, it's a fine performance but nothing that's really blowing me away. It's definitely better than last week's disaster. Hm, I enjoyed the ending of the song. I felt like she was finally getting into it. Grade B

David A - "Sweet Caroline". Well no one is really jumping ahead of the pack this week. Once again, it's a good vocal but average performance. It's wasn't crazy about his song choice because it's so karaoke but he was able to make it sound good. Grade B.

Syesha - "Hello Again". She looks so different with straight hair. ok, the hand waving in the mosh pit needs to stop. It looks dumb. I'm not a fan of this performance. Good vocal but really boring song and performance. Grade B-

Jason - "September Moon". Ugh. I'm totally bored. I just don't get it. Good vocal but boring performance. The ending was horrible. Jason didn't have a good night. He's just not taking the competition seriously. Grade C

David C. - I'm bored with this song as well. His voice goes a little flat on the higher notes, but his voice fits Neil Diamond songs perfectly. I guess overall it's a decent emo love song. He made it sound good, just not my favorite that he's done. Grade B+.

Brooke - "I Am....I Said". I think she's smart to show off two instruments tonight. It'll help make up for last week. She's doing alright. She's showing some good emotion on the song. Grade B.

David A. - "America". Is trying to pull a Kristy Lee with singing an America song? He has such a fantastic voice but picks crappy songs that don't really show it off. Half this performance is "they're coming to America". It's repetative and boring. I liked the ending of it. Grade B+

Syesha - "I Thank the Lord for the Nighttime". This is a cool, throw back sound. I think she sounds really good and is showing off a lot of personality on this song. She's finally becoming a true performer and I think she can stay until Top 3. Grade B+.

I find it odd that they're really trying to pigeon hole Syesha into a broadway star. And Simon just gave her the kiss of death. I definitely think she was better than Jason and Brooke (so, looking at the last couple of weeks, it means she's leaving).

My bottom 3 would be Jason, Brooke and Syesha with Jason going home. However, I don't think that's going to happen. Simon is probably right and Syesha will go home.

Top 6 - Andrew Lloyd Webber Week

Welcome back reader(s?) to what is sure to a trainwreck of week this time. Andrew Lloyd Webber week. This has the potential to be the new Gloria Estefan week as all-time worst theme. ALW has some classic broadway songs but so many of them are so dated sounding. I don't think anyone will have an easy time with this one. We'll see how they do. To quote Black-Eyed Peas, "let's get it started!"

Syesha - "One Rock and Roll Too Many". This is probably the most random song we'll hear tonight. Well, right off the bat I love what she's done. It's a little theatrical, but at the same time it completely works for a concert. She's showing a lot of personality. It kinda reminds me of when Kelly Clarkson did Big Band Week. It's fun and playful, plus she sounds great. This is a great way to start the show tonight. She really performed way better than anyone thought she would. Grade A-.

Jason - "Memory". This should be very interesting. It's probably one of the most famous broadway songs ever written and Jason is not someone that you would picture singing it. Well it started out well. His phrasing is a little odd but that's ok. However, once he gets into the 2nd verse he starts to lose it. I feel like he's getting lost in the song and panicking a little. The softness of his voice does lend itself well to the song but I don't think it was a great performance. He was pretty nervous all throughout. Grade C

Brooke - "You Must Love Me". Good choice for Brooke, considering all people have to compare it against is Madonna (who isn't a strong singer either). WHOA! she stopped the orchestra. That's huge! No one has ever done it on the show and I think she just bought her ticket home. My guess is that she'll have tears in her eyes by the end of the song. Her voice actually sounds really strong on the louder parts. However, she's doing Madonna's version almost note for note (including all of the inflections). Grade C-

David A - "Think of Me". WHAT?! random song choice for him. This'll be really interesting. Wow, this arrangement is really cool. I like it a lot. It totally sounds like a pop ballad. This was awesome. Grade A.

Carly - "Jesus Christ Superstar". Finally! Carly singing broadway and rocking out! This is what everyone has been waiting for. Hopefully it's worth it. Well she's definitely having fun now. All smiles. Ok, that was fun to watch. Not as rocky as I was hoping for but I really enjoyed it. Grade A-

David C - "Music of the Night". Ok, this should be really interesting. I'm curious to see what he did with this one. Interesting, he's just doing a straight version of the song. That's actually a little unexpected. His voice does sound a little different thought. It's way more theatrical tonight and not the rock stuff that we've grown accustomed to. I didn't get the rocker note at the end but overall it was really good. Grade A-.

So this actually wasn't the trainwreck that I thought it was going to be. Actually I really enjoyed the theme this week. They all picked good songs. If I had to guess the bottom 3 I would say Syesha, Jason and Brooke. I'm picking Brooke to go home tonight.