By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, April 14, 2015
We're getting down to brass tacks. The top 7 will become the top 6 tomorrow.
At this stage, the potential winner might be Clark Beckham, Jax and (outside shot) Quentin Alexander. I'd say Tyanna Jones has faded just a wee bit and Nick Fradiani hasn't improved enough. I always found Joey Cook to be a bit too left of center to ever win. And Rayvon Owen? It's a miracle he's still around.
Anyway, here's my top 7:
1. Clark Beckham. Three weeks in a row I've placed him on top for a reason. He's made some smart song choices and executed. (1)
2. Jax. Again, I'm keeping her at the point of nipping Clark's heels. I really enjoyed her "Poker Face" even if the judges didn't. So there. (2)
3. Quentin. Sure, he isn't technically perfect but he did a perfectly solid job with "Latch." I'm liking him more and more each week. (3)
4. Nick. He finally showed some real signs of life with a surprisingly fun "Teenage Dream." I hope he keeps it up this week with Billy Joel and Tom Petty. (6)
5. Tyanna. She's good but I'm wondering if she's essentially peaked. (4)
6. Joey Cook. She tried to sing like a normal person and failed. (5)
7. Rayvon. He has been upping his energy and intensity but he is fundamentally uninteresting. (7)
***
It's song "classics" this week, which means songs older than the contestants from the 1950s to the 1980s. Song spoilers are now out if you want to know ahead of time what they are singing below.
Personally, I think "Superstition" should be banned at this point. It's been sung six times before, from R.J. Helton (season one) to Phillip Phillips (season 11). Sorry, Clark. Bad move.
And Jax is inexplicably giving us "Piece of My Heart" - again. That song, too, has been performed six times already, from Nikki McKibbin (season one) to Kree Harrison (season 12.)
I am looking forward to seeing Jax tackle "Beat It."
Quentin Alexander – Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence”
Clark Beckham – “Moon River” (from Breakfast at Tiffany’s) and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”
Joey Cook – Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody to Love” and “My Funny Valentine” (from Babes in Arms)
Nick Fradiani – Billy Joel’s “Only the Good Die Young” and Tom Petty’s “American Girl”
Jax – Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart”
Tyanna Jones – Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary” and Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers’ “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”
Rayvon Owen – Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” and The Doobie Brothers’ “Long Train Runnin'”
***
For the first time in 14 seasons, "American Idol" isn't bothering to come to Atlanta for its tour, which features only the top 5 instead of the top 10.
Last year, Atlanta's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre drew about 4,500 people (based on my visual estimation) vs. a potential 12,000. In past years, the show has filled Gwinnett Arena but as the show's popularity has waned, so has concert ticket receipts.
Here are the 37 cities, which is smaller than past years. Last year, they went to 40 cities.
AMERICAN IDOL ® LIVE! 2015 Tour Dates:
DATE CITY VENUE
July 07 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
July 08 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
July 09 Melbourne, FL King Center For The Performing Arts
July 11 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live
July 12 Fort Myers, FL Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
July 14 Fort Lauderdale, FL Parker Playhouse
July 15 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre
July 17 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
July 18 Louisville, KY The Kentucky Center – Whitney Hall
July 19 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center
July 21 Baltimore, MD Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
July 22 Morristown, NN Mayo Performing Arts Center
July 24 Chautauqua, NY Chautauqua Institute Amphitheatre
July 25 Bethlehem, PA Sands Bethlehem Event Center
July 28 Worcester, MA Hanover Theatre For The Performing Arts
July 29 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
July 30 Portland, ME Maine State Pier
August 01 Atlantic City, NJ Caesars Atlantic City - Circus Maximus
August 02 Red Bank, NJ Count Basie Theatre
August 03 Providence, RI Veterans Memorial Auditorium (The VETS)
August 05 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
August 07 Detroit, MI MotorCity Casino Hotel
August 08 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
August 09 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
August 10 St. Louis, MO Peabody Opera House
August 12 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie
August 13 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
August 14 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
August 16 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center
August 18 San Diego, CA Humphrey's
August 20 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
August 21 Reno, NV Silver Legacy Resort & Casino
August 22 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
August 23 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
August 25 Seattle, WA McCaw Hall
August 27** Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
August 28 Riverside, CA Fox Performing Arts Center
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