Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Season 13 winner Caleb Johnson has already split with Interscope Records. That's no surprise given that Interscope really gave him no marketing support whatsoever for his album "Testify."
He ended up spending his own money on a video for "Fighting Gravity" and is funding his own tour, which included a stop at Terminal West in Atlanta Sunday night. The night before at Harrah's Cherokee not far from his hometown, he pulled in more than 1,000 fans.
For whatever reason, he only attracted 50 to Terminal West Sunday night. I could pinpoint some reasons why that happened. Obviously, "American Idol" is no longer the automatic launching pad it used to be. And demographically, the folks who watch the show nowadays are not necessarily folks who go to concerts in town on a Sunday night.
But that can't explain just 50 people. After the show, attendees and I speculated that perhaps Terminal West itself is such a relative unknown venue that it wasn't able to really market the show properly. Obviously, the label was not helping him. And whatever fan base Caleb has clearly failed to reach the Atlanta populace about the show.
Nonetheless, I have to give Caleb credit for putting on a spirited show and his originals felt like hefty, meaty rock. His voice was in great shape and he gave the people at the concert his full attention, despite the sparse attendance. He played several cuts off his album as well as Led Zeppelin and Queen covers. And he also gave Atlanta's Nica Nashae some love as a backup singer. She traded licks with him during "Gimme Shelter" and sang Aretha Franklin's "Respect." She finished in the top 40 last year and became friends with Caleb during the audition process.
Below is the "Gimme Shelter" cover:
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Ryan Seacrest announced some of the acts who will perform on the season finale Wednesday May 13: Fall Out Boy, Pitbull, Jamie Foxx and NKOTB.
Steven Tyler promised he'd duet with Jax in last week's episode.
This Wednesday, the top 3 will sing a hometown song, a judge pick and a Scott Borchetta pick. The hometown visits will also be highlighted.
The top 3 will become the top two on Tuesday May 12 in an one-hour performance show. The two-hour finale on Wednesday will crown the winner.
***
My top 4 power rankings
1. Nick Fradiani. He has risen to the top thanks to smart song choices, a more spirited presentation and Clark's stubborness. (2)
2. Jax. She remains a powerhouse in my mind who picks the right songs and provides enough variety to keep fans interested and on their toes. (3)
3. Clark Beckham. His somnolent smooth jazz version of "Your Man" and his defense of it makes me wonder if he really has what it takes to win. So for the first time in five-plus weeks, he's not my No. 1. (1)
4. Rayvon Owen. The survivor. Pure and simple. He just keeps pulling off miracles and singing to his mom last week? Brilliant. (5)
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