‘American Idol’ Austin auditions recap: scat this!
Austin auditions from ajc.com sister site www.austin360.com
Austin was mostly about good vibes and pretty impressive talent.
“Idol” squeezed 10 Hollywood-bound contestants in one hour. That’s relatively high.
SPOILER ALERT (sorta): I think only two of the 10 actually made it to the top 40. I’m surprised!
I absolutely loved Casey Abrams, the 19-year-old from California who can scat like Ray Charles reincarnated. The cowboy John Wayne Schulz impressed me, too, as do the lovey-dovey couple. Janelle Arthur left a good impression on me, too.
This time, Ryan told us how many made it through: 50. (We have no idea how many made it through in Nashville and Milwaukee.)
They tease Los Angeles tomorrow. It was totally a last-second add and I recall turnout wasn’t so hot. But they will squeeze an hour of entertainment out of it tomorrow, I fathom. Los Angeles hasn’t generated that much talent, though Katharine McPhee and Carly Smithson (via San Diego) were found there.
The recap:
- Casey Levoy, a 21-year-old nursing assistant from Longview, Texas, who gets support from his sister and best friend. He sings “You Can’t Make Me Love You” by Bonnie Raitt. (Didn’t an “Idol” winner sing that, too?). He sounds a bit like Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts with his high-sounding voice. Not a fan though I can appreciate his skillls.
- Holly Cavanagh, 17. She tries an old-school song “At Last” but doesn’t quite grasp it. Randy says no. She is crushed. Jennifer asks her to try another song. She picks the more age-appropriate “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. Despite a pause between verse and chorus, she sounds better. Of course, Randy changes his mind and she is on to Hollywood. Can she handle the heat there?
- Gratuitous crap singer: Rodolpho Ochoa. Loud but couldn’t find the right key at all to “Circle of Life.”
- John Wayne Schulz, 23, a cowboy from Karnes City, Texas. “Believe” by Brooks & Dunn. His vocals have nuance and depth. He could use a little more stage presence but he’s definitely worth putting through. “I believe that you believe,” Jennifer Lopez said. “You have the strength of faith and it comes out in your singing.” Randy: “I feel you. I get you. You could do well.” If “Idol” is looking for a good male country singer in the top 40, he’s in.
- Courtney Penry, 17-year-old Missouri City, Texas Ryan Seacrest stalker. “I’ve been dreaming about this day forever,” she said, to the song “Hello” by Lionel Richie. She cries when she sees him and hugs him. Her day is complete. She does a chicken imitation, then does “Stay” by Sugarland. She does a good job but isn’t as interesting vocally as Jennifer Nettles. I’d be on the fence. She is through, of course, despite Randy saying no.
- Shauntel Campos, 24 of Alberquerque, N.M. is hot and sounds pretty darn goo, too. Alex Carr of Fayettevile, Ark. has a solid R&B voice. Caleb Johnson of Asheville, N.C. provides a bit of rock edge. All were worthy of Hollywood based on the tiny snippets. More unnamed people go through.
- Jacqueline Dunford and Nick Fink, boyfriend and girlfriend from Scottsdale, Ariz, are so nauseating, I almost projectile vomit. Fortunately, they can sing. Jacqueline pulls off “Mercy” with an incredible voice. She is awesome. Nick is just as good with his Maroon 5. (They were on the sample audition segment “Idol” sent us three weeks ago.) “Both have interesting takes on their songs, which I really really like,” Lopez said. “Breath of fresh air,” Randy said. Both deserve to go together but will either make it to the top 40?
- Another pretty blond alert: Janelle Arthur, Oliver Springs, Tenn. Very likable with a very good country voice. She gets three yeses with no debate.
- Joke break: an armadillo shows up and they show a bunch of baddies. Randy is shown being tough. “Is there a song called ‘Watch Me Leave?’ ” he said during a rare moment of wit.
- Final bit: Casey Abrams. No sob story! He’s 19 and sings “I Don’t Need No Doctor” by Ray Charles. He’s from Idyllwild, Calif. Taylor Hicks, eat your heart out! Scat man knocks it out of the park.
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203 comments Add your comment
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
7:52 pm
What’s with the apology for ST??
And hi, btw!
American Idol 2010 | ‘American Idol’ Austin auditions recap
February 2nd, 2011
7:52 pm
[...] more from the original source: ‘American Idol’ Austin auditions recap [...]
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
7:59 pm
Present!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
7:59 pm
I haven’t heard anything about ST offending anybody. I think this “apology” is a publicity stunt.
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
7:59 pm
Hey, I’m here! Ready to go!
Harm
February 2nd, 2011
8:00 pm
No fancy-schmanchy emoticons for me!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:01 pm
OK…It’s a joke!!! I thought it must be.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:01 pm
Hi HO, et al
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:01 pm
I totally missed “the apology.” What did it say?
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:02 pm
Where would Idol be WITHOUT ST’s “behavior”?
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:02 pm
Muck rhymes with…?
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:03 pm
ST is making it so far this season, otherwise…YAWN
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:03 pm
Skeletor!
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:03 pm
Hey, everyone. That was weird–the apology thing. Why bother?
Harm
February 2nd, 2011
8:05 pm
I don’t like his speaking voice!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:05 pm
I love this song!
He’s not bad…not great but ok.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:06 pm
he speaks like his living situation is similar to mine if you know what we mean…and he is also too chest/head/effected when he sings…basically mister sister has some stank on him
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
his wig might get teased…ha!
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
Too much melisma. Why mess with the melody line so much?
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
Too much like the lead singer of Rascal Flatts. Not my taste…
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
My gaydar just went off with that guy! LOL
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:07 pm
I don’t think there’s any doubt, boyz!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:08 pm
:sick:
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:08 pm
Or as The Smiths called it – the Lucky Lisp.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:08 pm
she has a voice but doesn’t know where to “put it down”
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:09 pm
LOL!! I did it wrong!
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:12 pm
A rare cliffhanger though you can see from 1,000 miles away what the conclusion will be.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:12 pm
Idaho?
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:14 pm
Noooo,poor little blond girl
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:14 pm
There giving this girl another chance?????????
Ok that was better than At Last which was awful.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:15 pm
if she grabs a hold of a song she feels whe will TEAR IT UP
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:15 pm
They’re……
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:15 pm
Another swallee?
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:15 pm
Shocker. She goes… through! Miley Cyrus = proper song for a 17 year old girl like her, as opposed to Etta James.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:16 pm
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:16 pm
Oh, boy, we are paying for the good ones, now.
Harm
February 2nd, 2011
8:16 pm
Go away!!!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:17 pm
I think too much glittery eyemake-up hurts
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Rodolfo–loud but no proper keys at all.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:18 pm
John Wayne = cute
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:19 pm
It woulda really sucked if I were your son!!!!! LOL!!!
You wouldn’t be that way if I were your dad!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:19 pm
Sob story… good sign
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:19 pm
I hope John Wayne can sing…he’s cute!
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:19 pm
We like his…uh belt buckle?…yeah thats it belt buckle
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:20 pm
very Randy Travis
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:21 pm
LOL CBZ! In other news he’s wearing a hat.
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:21 pm
He can sing! Yay!!!!
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:21 pm
with a little Clint Black
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:22 pm
That a huge belt buckle!
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:22 pm
Awwwww
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:22 pm
EN! HUGE!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:23 pm
I’d like to feel more than his spirit and his passion! Wait…did I say that out loud?
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:23 pm
OMG, apparently Ryan noticed the belt buckle too!!!
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:24 pm
Too vanilla for me.
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:24 pm
John Wayne Schulz sounds as good as he looks. And being from a tiny city and a real cowboy, he is right up “Idol’s” alley.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:24 pm
Vanilla is the base for all Milkshakes!
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:26 pm
Yes, boyz, but I like mine with a little more flavor.
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:26 pm
That’s the first big belt buckle I’ve noticed this season.
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:27 pm
Hey, EN, they mostly cover them up here.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:28 pm
Oh Harriett! that is why we love you!
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:28 pm
I’m sorry.l.. are we using “belt buckle” as some sort of euphemism tonight?
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:28 pm
Ha Roho!!!! we SO are…SO are
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:29 pm
A Ryan groupie!
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:30 pm
I totally get it, candlerz
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:31 pm
wrong emfasssasis on the worg sillllabbble
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:31 pm
She’s got a personality…not a great voice.
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:31 pm
Go Sugarland! Courtney isn’t half bad. Not quite distingiushable to me.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:31 pm
Star quality… chicken girl??
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:33 pm
We haven’t seen the “fakeout” after going through in awhile!
Harm
February 2nd, 2011
8:33 pm
I have a prayer request for ya’ll! Marissa, a girl about to turn 24 on February 18th, two days before my own daughter turns 24. Marissa went to Arizona for the BCS Championship game (Auburn alumni) after the game ske volunteered to drive herself and three friends to Los Angelas to catch their flight back home to Georgia. Outside of Phoenix she told her friends that something was wrong and they called 911. Marissa was diagnosed with a brain tumor that night in Arizona, she is back home now, but things are getting worse! Please pray !
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:33 pm
Randy shows a rare moment of wit: “Is there a song called ‘Watch Me Leave’?”
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Mercedes: I would say chicken girl is like Caldwell….has power and a voice but her gut does not get it…gotta know where to put whatcha gotz
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Harm….fo sho!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:35 pm
I’m on it, Harm. Best wishes to Marissa.
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:35 pm
Good comparison, candlerboyz. Kim Caldwell!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:36 pm
Chicken girl is…for some unknown reason…making me think of Tatiana.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:36 pm
hey roho, our neighbor (lives on whitefoord} Richard Blais is on top chef tonight!!!
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:37 pm
Will do Harm!
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:37 pm
Blais is awesome. I’ve spoken to him a few times. I hope he makes the finals on “Top Chef: All Stars.” And I hope his Science Channel show gets a pick up. We should meet at SF Coffee whenever you have a moment…
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:38 pm
for sure!!!
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:38 pm
I hope they printed enough tickets?!
Andi
February 2nd, 2011
8:39 pm
Home late after a rotten end to my work day. Harriett – what’s the drink of the day?
And Harm, my prayers will go out for this poor girl!
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:40 pm
roho, I will email ya! I am off tomorrow and Friday…
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:40 pm
What do you do?
Clinical trials for a pharmaceutical company.
ST: Wow, that was how I spent the ’70’s!
LOL!
Rodney Ho
February 2nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Throw-up moment with this couple.
Harriett
February 2nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Lime vodka is the drink for me this season, Andi!
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Enter your comments here
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:42 pm
Andi! Welcome, our coctail of choice tonight is vodka, gingerale and splash of pom
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:42 pm
Nick Fink… like name
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:42 pm
Wow…I like them both….I thought they’d be totally obnoxious!
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:42 pm
We like Fink’s enuciation
kelly&carriefan
February 2nd, 2011
8:43 pm
hi y’all
Harm, prayers for Marissa.
Whyyyyy did they subject us to Lee’s (Not so) Beautiful Day? What did we do wrong?
Exit Now
February 2nd, 2011
8:43 pm
CBZ – your thoughts on Nick?
Harm
February 2nd, 2011
8:43 pm
Thanks everyone! Marissa’s parents coached my girls in basketball and softball.Marissa and my daughter were cheerleaqders togeather all through school and Marissa and Angela traveled to Ohio when they were 10 to compete in a dance competition, I’m proud to say they were the National Champions that year!
Andi
February 2nd, 2011
8:44 pm
Thanks Harriett – think I’ll join you with one now.
And I’ll second that vomit moment Rodney! May just be my mood, but I wasn’t bowled over by either of them
kelly&carriefan
February 2nd, 2011
8:44 pm
my drink of choice (cliche alert): Beer tonight.
Mercedes S.
February 2nd, 2011
8:45 pm
Yes, Harm, will do. So sorry to hear.
candlerboyz
February 2nd, 2011
8:46 pm
EN-Nick was like every Nick we have ever known….bright start and fades from there…
Deirdre
February 2nd, 2011
8:46 pm
I’m not even going to ask!