AI 11: 1-19-12 Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh the “City of Champions” is this the perfect spot to find our next super star? This is our first time visiting here. Are you ready? This is AMERICAN IDOL!

Time is wasting so we will get to dish the dirt about the auditions in this one-hour edition.

Day 1

Heejun Hun is first up for the day. Heejun does not know how he feels and his worried he is not as good as the thought he was (this may be a good sign since the delusional contestants always claim to be the best singers). Heejun goes with “How am I supposed to live without you” and I was a bit weary but surprisingly Heejun has a nice smooth voice; however, his enunciation will be an issue. Jennifer compliments his tone and control while Steven thinks he could win (I would have to disagree but he can sing). All three judges vote yes and Heejun is heading for Hollywood.

Reed Grimm 26, whose parents met in a band and has they had kids introduced them into the act, which means Reed has been performing since he was a child. Reed wears shorts and flip-flops to his audition, it looked like he jumped out of bed and decided on a lark to come on down and enter the contest. Reed sings the theme to Family Matters and has a good voice. The judges love him and send him through to Hollywood.

Cue video montage of Pittsburgh a city that keeps on delivering according to Ryan. We see clips of six singers getting golden tickets but only two are identified. They were Aaron Marcellus and Chase Likens. They both had good voices but I am not sure they will stand out in a crowd.

Samantha Novacek explains she sings better if her sister Patty planks (I guess I missed something because I have no clue what this is). Samantha comes into the audition room with Patty who gets on the floor and is doing some type of push up which I am gathering is planking but the whole thing is bizarre. I really was not paying attention to Samantha singing, “We Never loved at all” because Patty distracted me. Randy finally tells Patty to stop planking. The judges complement Samantha’s tone and send her through to Hollywood. Ronald just shakes his head.

Next up is starving artist Creighton Fraker from New York who is unemployed and wears bunny ears and Elton John glasses when playing keyboard on the street. Creighton indicates he was unsure about what to sing so during his bus ride to Pittsburgh wrote a song. I am always annoyed with contestants who sing their own songs. The song is about the judges and I found his voice very irritating. Jennifer thinks he sounds like the child of Jamiroquai and Justin Timberlake and Steven asks to hear more. Creighton sings some Jackson Five and the judges are even more in love with him. Mr. Fraker is heading to Hollywood.

Eben Franckewitz or should I say the next Justin Bieber is up next. Eben tells us he has been working hard to get ready for the audition with the support of his parents. Eben’s mother tells him to do his thing and not worry about what others are doing. Eben tells Ryan it is a privilege to be here with “all these older people.” Eben tells the judges he is told he looks like Justin Beiber (I just hope he does not sound like him). Eben goes with “Ain’t No Sunshine” and does a respectable job. I am not sure is voice is quite right for pop music but that may be because his voice has not changed yet. Jennifer thinks he is born to do this. Steven says he will only get better and Randy follows with he has a God-given gift. Eben is heading to Hollywood. The question is can he handle the pressure.

Our final contestant of the day is Travis Orlando who returns to audition again. Last year his story started in a homeless shelter but then the family got into their own place. Since last year, Travis’s mom left the family to be with another man and they were evicted and had to return to the homeless shelter. Travis’s father says the experience has strengthened their relationship. Travis dropped out of high school and states he is doing this to show his mom that he can do something positive. This audition is all or nothing. What is wrong with this picture and why are his father and brother enabling Travis? I think it is important to finish your education since you are only 17 and then pursue your dream of singing.

Travis auditions with “Isn’t She Lovely?” which is okay but does not blow me away. Jennifer thinks he has improved but there is still something lacking. Steven says he sings with passion but does not show it. The judges, however, award him a golden ticket to Hollywood as Travis is crying and begging for the opportunity.

Day 2

Cue the introduction video since Jennifer is late so Randy and Steven occupy the contestants with a performance.

Ericka Van Pelt who is a “mobile DJ” and a wedding singer is first up to audition. She sings “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”. I like the bluesy tone of her voice but there were quite a few pitch problems during her audition. Randy gushes over her tone. Steven thinks she is sexy and sure of herself. Jennifer says her look and tone work together. Erika is heading to Hollywood. “Pelt can belt,” Steven declares as she heads out of the audition room with her golden ticket.

Cue video montage of Steven being funny as the judges send through unidentified contestants to Hollywood.

Shane Bruce went into the coal mining business after graduating from high school because of the stable income. Shane is a miner like his father and his father before him it is what they do. Shane tells the judges he is going to sing “Hallelujah” the song from “Shrek”. Ronald just shakes his head at the appalling lack of musical education, “Shrek” indeed! Shane’s voice was fine but he was not able to hit the high notes at all. I think with some vocal training he could make it as a singer. Jennifer tells him she could see his disappointment at not hitting the high notes. Steven says that he did all he can do. Randy thinks Shane has a great voice but needs work and is impressed that Shane recognizes it. The judges tell him that he is not ready for Hollywood this year but they encourage him to try again.

Cue the video montage of all the contestants who go home without a golden ticket.

Our final contestant is Hallie Day who explains, “Music and my husband saved my life.” Hallie dropped out of high school at 15 and went to New York but things did not go well so she returned home but her family was there for her. She tries to commit suicide by taking a bunch of pills. Not long after that, she met Ryan, her husband of six months. He encouraged her to try out for the show and she knows whatever the outcome she and Ryan will get through it. Hallie auditions with “I Will Survive.” I think there was more shouting then singing but I did catch a few very beautiful and controlled notes. Jennifer tells her to never stop believing in herself, no matter what. Steven asks her to sing something else but Randy and Jennifer are confused since that was fine. Steven says he wants to watch Hallie again (I bet). Jennifer can already see Hallie on stage and on an album cover. In the end, the judges send her to Hollywood without another number.

This was a very fast-paced episode with little fun poked at the delusional contestants, which is a pleasant change. Only 38 people received golden tickets for their chance in Hollywood.

We are having a special episode on Sunday night with the American Idol train heading to San Diego.