By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, filed January 7, 2015
In an annual ritual fewer and fewer people are engaging in, Fox's 'American Idol' came back for its 14th season Wednesday night with a single hour out of Nashville auditions.
We'll see at least two singers this first hour who make it to the "spoiler" top 24, of which MJ has figured out 17.
The percentage of singers we see who actually make it to Hollywood has gone up over the years. Even the handful that don't make the cut are seldom awful. Rejections are largely reduced to montages.
Here's my quick take on the contestants that made any impression:
- Priscilla Barker, 19: Could she be this year's Kellie Pickler? Cute? Check. Ridiculously strong southern drawl? Check. Decent voice? Check. J. Lo was doubtful but the boys liked her spunky personality so she makes it through to Hollywood.
- Marisa Melele: Mediocre imitation of Britney Spears and frantic dancing on top of it. Skip.
- Riley Bria, 17: He won some sort of contest and played guitar with Keith Urban at an awards show two years earlier. Keith even remembered him. But could he sing? Why, yes, indeed. He clearly has what it takes to make it to the finals: confidence, vocal ability, stylings.
- Cam Bedell, Ali Jane Henderson and Alex Renbarger all go to the next round but are montaged, a sign we probably won't see much of them later on.
- Amber Walker, single mom: A Memphis gal, she channels Elvis and does a good job despite strange physical mannerisms while singing. I don't see finals potential here. "You need to spend more time getting your vocals together," said HCJ, who said no. But the other two say yes so she moves on.
- Kyle Blancormin (AKA Carrot Top): The man is msot memorably for his mop top, which HCJ touches like it's gold. "Anyone have any Purell?" HCJ asks afterwards. Singing? Meh.
- Kyle Blaine Corman, of the Staten Island Cormans. Did he say he was from Staten Island? He is very aggressive in his singing. J. Lo feels he is more talking than singing. "Too yelly," she says.
- Kory Wheeler. His "I Can't Make You Love Me" gives J. Lo her classic "goosies." And this time, in her legs! He's very singer songwriter-ish, a bit downbeat, like Alex Preston last year. He misses notes but does it with so much emotion, it doesn't matter. They like his unique style. "We don't hear a lot of voices like that," HCJ said. Kory's through.
- Michael Simeon, Lumberton, Miss. He's very polished, very confident, very good with Sam Smith's "Stay With Me." Then he dances with J. Lo, with Keith and HCJ accompanying him as he sings Smith again. This dude is going places. He might have a bit of that Constantine Maroulis arrogance in him. We'll see if that causes him trouble or moves him upward and onward in the Hollywood rounds.
- Emily Brooke, 15. The last person almost always gets through. And Emily is an easy pick. HCJ also likes the fact she actually looks 15. Her Carrie Underwood cover of "Blown Away" feels raw but real, too. She has potential and the judges are smitten. "I felt like you were telling me a story," J. Lo said. "You're cool and you know who you are," HCJ said.
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