Next on my American Idol countdown is number 49 finalist Anwar Robinson. He landed in 7th place on American Idol season 4. He is the first finalist to sing "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly during the American Idol live shows, and that song would later by sung during the live shows by Katharine McPhee in season 5, Aaron Kelly in season 9, and Jacob Lusk in season 10.
After his time on American Idol, he went on to tour with the Top 10 contestants of season four and sang
for over 500,000 people in over 40 cities in the United States and
Canada. He also participated in "Idols In Concert" at the newly built
Rrazz Room at San Francisco's Hotel Nikko.
Robinson took on the role of "Collins" in the 2007-2008 national/international tour of Rent.
Robinson made his film debut in The Ski Trip 2: Friends and Lovers as "Owen." His debut album, Everything, was released on January 25, 2011
Robinson was involved in charity work beginning March 2, 2010, joining Michelle Williams, Musiq Soulchild, Lil' Mo, Tye Tribbett, Nikki Ross & Anaysha Figueroa (both of Kirk Franklin), Nancey Jackson-Johnson, and James Hall under the executive production of Kim Burrell to record "Prayer Song" for Hope for Haiti, composed by Krishnar Lewis. In October 2010, he participated with Yolanda Adams in Plainfield, New Jersey, event where community leaders were trying to break the Guiness World Records for the largest gospel chorus in the world.
Next up on my American Idol finalist countdown is none other than the most successful American Idol contestant ever, with over 21 million album sales and 25 million singles sales worldwide, who ranked number 1 on The Los Angeles Times top 120 power rankings list of May 31, 2010. She would later become the runner-up to Kurt Nilsen from Norway in the television special World Idol in 2003. One reason why I rank her this low is possibly because some of her songs like "Mr. Know It All" contain misandristic lyrics.
Monday, January 30, 2012
#50 LaKisha Jones
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 50 American Idol finalist LaKisha Jones. She landed in 4th place on American Idol season 6, being eliminated just before Melinda Doolittle.
LaKisha Ann Jones was born on January 13, 1980, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy. She was raised by her grandmother, Ruth Jefferson Morris. An only child, Jones is a Baptist who began singing at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at the age of five. She was formally trained in classical music, although her favorite music genre is gospel music. Jones always dreamed of becoming a singer.
Jones was homeschooled in Flint and then attended Flint Central High School (now Flint Central Commencement Academy), where, in one of her earliest performances, she appeared in a play called Lead Poisoning. While in high school, Jones performed with one of the groups in the choral department: the Madrigal Singers. While in high school, Jones performed with one of the groups in the choral department: the Madrigal Singers. Jones graduated in 1998 and attended the University of Michigan-Flint, studying music. During college, she performed in the play Godspell. Jones stated in her Idol interview that Flint, Michigan was her home. She was a single mother with a five year old daughter who encouraged her to audition for American Idol season 6.
Jones relocated to Houston, Texas, and resided there for six years. In 2006, she relocated to Forte Meade, Maryland, in order to be closer to her cousins and other relatives. At that time, Jones obtained a job as a bank teller at Provident Bank in Millersville, Maryland, which she resigned when she moved to Hollywood to compete in American Idol season 6.
LaKisha Ann Jones was born on January 13, 1980, at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy. She was raised by her grandmother, Ruth Jefferson Morris. An only child, Jones is a Baptist who began singing at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at the age of five. She was formally trained in classical music, although her favorite music genre is gospel music. Jones always dreamed of becoming a singer.
Jones was homeschooled in Flint and then attended Flint Central High School (now Flint Central Commencement Academy), where, in one of her earliest performances, she appeared in a play called Lead Poisoning. While in high school, Jones performed with one of the groups in the choral department: the Madrigal Singers. While in high school, Jones performed with one of the groups in the choral department: the Madrigal Singers. Jones graduated in 1998 and attended the University of Michigan-Flint, studying music. During college, she performed in the play Godspell. Jones stated in her Idol interview that Flint, Michigan was her home. She was a single mother with a five year old daughter who encouraged her to audition for American Idol season 6.
Jones relocated to Houston, Texas, and resided there for six years. In 2006, she relocated to Forte Meade, Maryland, in order to be closer to her cousins and other relatives. At that time, Jones obtained a job as a bank teller at Provident Bank in Millersville, Maryland, which she resigned when she moved to Hollywood to compete in American Idol season 6.
#51 Kimberley Locke
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 51 American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke. She landed in 3rd place on American Idol season 2. She appeared in the FOX network version of the game show Don't Forget the Lyrics!. She garnered media attention for her participation in Celebrity Fit Club.
Kimberley Dawn Locke was born to Donald and Christine Locke on January 3, 1978, in Hartsville, Tennessee. She grew up with one older brother named Ashley in Gallatin, Tennessee. At the age of five, she began to sing in church. Her parents divorced when she was eight years old.
Like American Idol season 6 finalist Melinda Doolittle, Locke is an alumna of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Kimberley Dawn Locke was born to Donald and Christine Locke on January 3, 1978, in Hartsville, Tennessee. She grew up with one older brother named Ashley in Gallatin, Tennessee. At the age of five, she began to sing in church. Her parents divorced when she was eight years old.
Like American Idol season 6 finalist Melinda Doolittle, Locke is an alumna of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
#52 Pia Toscano
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 52 American Idol finalist Pia Toscano. She landed in 9th place on American Idol season 9. She was an early frontrunner in the competition. Her elimination came as a shock to the judges and the studio audience, all of whom were visibly and vocally upset. Some viewers and media outlets described Toscano's elimination as one of the most shocking eliminations in American Idol history. Her elimination was not shocking to me.
Pia Ann Rose Toscano was born of Italian heritage to Jane and Pat Toscano on October 14, 1988. She hails from Howard Beach, New York. Her father worked as a corporate executive. She began performing in talent shows when she was four, and by the age of nine, she had performed in a local church theatrical production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Toscano was the official U.S. National Anthem singer at her middle school, P.S./M.S. 207, and performed at every event including graduation. She graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (founded by Fiorello H. LaGuardia in 1936) in New York City in 2006. Fellow American Idol season 10 finalist Karen Rodriguez also attended this high school.
Toscano performed the U.S. National Anthem and "God Bless America" for the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets’ minor league team, several times a year for three years. In addition, Toscano was the winner of the New York Mets annual "Anthem Search" competition in 2008 and was selected to sing the National Anthem at a July 2008 game. Toscano was also the opening act for the band Barenaked Ladies and performed with Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden.
Before her time on American Idol, Toscano worked as a makeup artist and as a wedding singer in a band known as "Current Affair." Her musical influences are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Etta James (who died recently), and Luther Vandross (who died in 2005).
Toscano auditioned for American Idol four times before. She previously auditioned for American Idol season 6 and advanced to Hollywood, but her journey ended there. In 2010, she auditioned for American Idol season 10 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the song "Until You Come Back to Me" by Stevie Wonder and advanced to the Hollywood Round, this time advancing to the live shows.
Pia Ann Rose Toscano was born of Italian heritage to Jane and Pat Toscano on October 14, 1988. She hails from Howard Beach, New York. Her father worked as a corporate executive. She began performing in talent shows when she was four, and by the age of nine, she had performed in a local church theatrical production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Toscano was the official U.S. National Anthem singer at her middle school, P.S./M.S. 207, and performed at every event including graduation. She graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (founded by Fiorello H. LaGuardia in 1936) in New York City in 2006. Fellow American Idol season 10 finalist Karen Rodriguez also attended this high school.
Toscano performed the U.S. National Anthem and "God Bless America" for the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets’ minor league team, several times a year for three years. In addition, Toscano was the winner of the New York Mets annual "Anthem Search" competition in 2008 and was selected to sing the National Anthem at a July 2008 game. Toscano was also the opening act for the band Barenaked Ladies and performed with Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden.
Before her time on American Idol, Toscano worked as a makeup artist and as a wedding singer in a band known as "Current Affair." Her musical influences are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Etta James (who died recently), and Luther Vandross (who died in 2005).
Toscano auditioned for American Idol four times before. She previously auditioned for American Idol season 6 and advanced to Hollywood, but her journey ended there. In 2010, she auditioned for American Idol season 10 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the song "Until You Come Back to Me" by Stevie Wonder and advanced to the Hollywood Round, this time advancing to the live shows.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
#53 Brandon Rogers
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 53 American Idol finalist Brandon Rogers. He worked as a professional backup vocalist and landed in 12th place on American Idol season 6.
Rogers graduated from John Muir High School in 1996 and from University of North Texas in 1999. He performed in the UNT Jazz Singers, the centerpiece ensemble of the university's vocal jazz studies program. His classmates included Grammy-winning blues and country singer Norah Jones and singer songwriter David Angerstein. Rogers' mother is a published songwriter.
His first big break was part of a group brought together through a radio boy band competition in Dallas, Texas, in 2000. The Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show on 106.1 "KISS-FM", callsigned KHKS, put together an audition originally as a joke to see if they could really construct a boy band. However, they ended up with five talented singers which they named Sons of Harmony. Mexican pop singer Marcos Hernandez was also a member of this band. When the band broke up, Brandon relocated to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a music career.
As a professional backup vocalist, Rogers performed backup on Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera's 2003 Justified and Stripped Tour and Anastacia's 2005 Encore Tour. Rogers has also worked as a vocal coach and wedding singer.
Rogers auditioned for American Idol season 6 in Los Angeles, where the judges (including guest judge Olivia Newton-John) were impressed with his vocals. Judge Simon Cowell later mentioned was the best who auditioned from Los Angeles. He got through the subsequent Hollywood, cut-down, and semi-final rounds to make the Top 12 finals round. However, in his initial performance he forgot the words to several bars of the Diana Ross "You Can't Hurry Love" Diana Ross, which was covered by Phil Collins in 1982, and was the first finalist eliminated from the show on March 14, 2007, landing in 12th place. He missed out on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 along with 11th placer Stephanie Edwards. On May 12, 2008 Rogers guest starred on the crime drama Bones on FOX. He would appear as a recurring character on a web-oriented series "Valley Peaks". Authentik Artists releaseed his new single, "Broken".
In June 2008 Brandon starred as one of the headliners for a live music show in Branson, MO, named "America's Favorite Finalists". The show featured 6 top 12 American Idol Finalists performing their own music, cover songs and group numbers. The show ran at the Grand Palace and was produced by Steve Drummond, America's Favorite Finalists.
Rogers graduated from John Muir High School in 1996 and from University of North Texas in 1999. He performed in the UNT Jazz Singers, the centerpiece ensemble of the university's vocal jazz studies program. His classmates included Grammy-winning blues and country singer Norah Jones and singer songwriter David Angerstein. Rogers' mother is a published songwriter.
His first big break was part of a group brought together through a radio boy band competition in Dallas, Texas, in 2000. The Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show on 106.1 "KISS-FM", callsigned KHKS, put together an audition originally as a joke to see if they could really construct a boy band. However, they ended up with five talented singers which they named Sons of Harmony. Mexican pop singer Marcos Hernandez was also a member of this band. When the band broke up, Brandon relocated to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a music career.
As a professional backup vocalist, Rogers performed backup on Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera's 2003 Justified and Stripped Tour and Anastacia's 2005 Encore Tour. Rogers has also worked as a vocal coach and wedding singer.
Rogers auditioned for American Idol season 6 in Los Angeles, where the judges (including guest judge Olivia Newton-John) were impressed with his vocals. Judge Simon Cowell later mentioned was the best who auditioned from Los Angeles. He got through the subsequent Hollywood, cut-down, and semi-final rounds to make the Top 12 finals round. However, in his initial performance he forgot the words to several bars of the Diana Ross "You Can't Hurry Love" Diana Ross, which was covered by Phil Collins in 1982, and was the first finalist eliminated from the show on March 14, 2007, landing in 12th place. He missed out on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 along with 11th placer Stephanie Edwards. On May 12, 2008 Rogers guest starred on the crime drama Bones on FOX. He would appear as a recurring character on a web-oriented series "Valley Peaks". Authentik Artists releaseed his new single, "Broken".
In June 2008 Brandon starred as one of the headliners for a live music show in Branson, MO, named "America's Favorite Finalists". The show featured 6 top 12 American Idol Finalists performing their own music, cover songs and group numbers. The show ran at the Grand Palace and was produced by Steve Drummond, America's Favorite Finalists.
#54 Jasmine Trias
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 54 American Idol finalist, Filipino-American girl Jasmine Trias. Due in part to tremendous call-in support from California, New York, and her native state of Hawaii, she made her way into 3rd place on American Idol season 3. Along with Camile Velasco, she is among the first two people of Filipino descent to ever advance to the American Idol finals. Another Filipino girl Thia Megia would later follow their footsteps in season 10.
Trias was born in Honolulu, Hawaii of Filipino heritage and raised in Miliani Town, Hawaii. She is a daughter of Filipino immigrants to the state of Hawaii from Tanza, Cavite. She attended Maryknoll School, a Roman Catholic preparatory school of the Diocese of Honolulu, which is officially in Latin Dioecesis Honoluluensis, established on January 25, 1941, and is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States and comprises the entire state of Hawaii and the unincorporated Hawaiian Islands. As a representative of Maryknoll School, a private coed Catholic school educating children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and founded in 1927 and located on the island of O'ahu, she won the Brown Bags to Stardom 2001 state singing competition and the Road to Fame 2003 youth talent competition. Trias graduated from Maryknoll School in June 2004.
Trias rose to fame by auditioning for American Idol season 3. She auditioned in her home state of Hawaii. Trias made it to the top twelve performers and eventually finished in third place.
Trias was born in Honolulu, Hawaii of Filipino heritage and raised in Miliani Town, Hawaii. She is a daughter of Filipino immigrants to the state of Hawaii from Tanza, Cavite. She attended Maryknoll School, a Roman Catholic preparatory school of the Diocese of Honolulu, which is officially in Latin Dioecesis Honoluluensis, established on January 25, 1941, and is an ecclesiastical territory or particular church of the Catholic Church in the United States and comprises the entire state of Hawaii and the unincorporated Hawaiian Islands. As a representative of Maryknoll School, a private coed Catholic school educating children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and founded in 1927 and located on the island of O'ahu, she won the Brown Bags to Stardom 2001 state singing competition and the Road to Fame 2003 youth talent competition. Trias graduated from Maryknoll School in June 2004.
Trias rose to fame by auditioning for American Idol season 3. She auditioned in her home state of Hawaii. Trias made it to the top twelve performers and eventually finished in third place.
#55 Stephanie Edwards
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 55 American Idol finalist Stephanie Edwards. She landed in 11th place on American Idol season 6. She hails from Savannah, Georgia, and first began singing around the age of two or three. After graduating from Windsor Forest High School, which was founded in 1967 and is a member of Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools district, Edwards pursued vocal instruction for a month and then went on to appear at the Apollo Theatre in New York City when she competed in Showtime at the Apollo, which originally ran from September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes. Before her stint on American Idol, she had won most singing contests she had entered, including Savannah Star in 2005.
Edwards auditioned for American Idol season 6 in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the only one of the top 12 contestants on American Idol not presented in the TV tryouts preceding the naming of the top 24 semi-finalists. During the initial broadcast for the Top 24, Edwards was praised for her rendition of "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" by Prince. For her top 20 week performance, she attempted "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles, to which Randy Jackson exclaimed that she "sang her face off," although he felt her performance was too much like the original. The following week, Edwards pulled off another winning performance with the song "Sweet Thing" by Chaka Khan.
According to the judges, she was "darn near flawless and had a good command of the stage."
On March 8, 2007, Edwards became one of the top 12 finalists. For the first theme week, she performed "Hangover" by Diana Ross. Edwards forgot her words at one point during the song. The judges bashed her arrangement of the song, saying that she teased them with the good part and then never delivered. Despite the criticism, Edwards claimed a spot in the top 11. She was eliminated from the show on March 21, 2007. She missed out on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 along with Brandon Rogers.
Edwards auditioned for American Idol season 6 in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the only one of the top 12 contestants on American Idol not presented in the TV tryouts preceding the naming of the top 24 semi-finalists. During the initial broadcast for the Top 24, Edwards was praised for her rendition of "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" by Prince. For her top 20 week performance, she attempted "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles, to which Randy Jackson exclaimed that she "sang her face off," although he felt her performance was too much like the original. The following week, Edwards pulled off another winning performance with the song "Sweet Thing" by Chaka Khan.
According to the judges, she was "darn near flawless and had a good command of the stage."
On March 8, 2007, Edwards became one of the top 12 finalists. For the first theme week, she performed "Hangover" by Diana Ross. Edwards forgot her words at one point during the song. The judges bashed her arrangement of the song, saying that she teased them with the good part and then never delivered. Despite the criticism, Edwards claimed a spot in the top 11. She was eliminated from the show on March 21, 2007. She missed out on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007 along with Brandon Rogers.
#56 Chris Daughtry
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 56 American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry. He fronts the rock band called Daughtry. He landed in 4th place on American Idol season 5. After he was eliminated on May 10, 1996, he was signed to RCA Records and formed the rock band called Daughtry. The band's self-titled debut album became the fastest selling debut rock album in history, selling more than one million copies after just five weeks of release.
The album was recorded before the band was officially formed, making
Chris Daughtry the only official member present on the album. This led
some to believe mistakenly that the band Daughtry is Chris Daughtry's
solo project.
Christopher Adam "Chris" Daughtry was born to Pete and Sandra Daughtry on December 26, 1979, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and raised in Lasker, North Carolina until the age of 14. His parents live in Palmyra, Virginia, where Daughtry grew up until he relocated to McLeansville, North Carolina, near Greensboro, North Carolina. His brother Kenneth resides in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
At the age of 16, Daughtry started taking singing seriously as a musician. He took guitar lessons from blues rock guitarist Matt Jagger at Stacy's Music store in Charlottesville, Virginia, and sought advice from Andy Waldeck (frontman for Earth to Andy, which was founded in 1997 by members of two local bands) who is credited first on his debut album. He performed with rock bands during his time in high school at local venues, opening for his future band mate Brian Craddock's band My Dog Lucy and Matt Jagger. During high school, he appeared in two stage productions: The Wiz and Peter Pan. His first official performance was singing "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus, father of Miley Cyrus, at his grandfather's bar. Daughtry graduated from Fluvanna High School in 1998.
Christopher Adam "Chris" Daughtry was born to Pete and Sandra Daughtry on December 26, 1979, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and raised in Lasker, North Carolina until the age of 14. His parents live in Palmyra, Virginia, where Daughtry grew up until he relocated to McLeansville, North Carolina, near Greensboro, North Carolina. His brother Kenneth resides in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
At the age of 16, Daughtry started taking singing seriously as a musician. He took guitar lessons from blues rock guitarist Matt Jagger at Stacy's Music store in Charlottesville, Virginia, and sought advice from Andy Waldeck (frontman for Earth to Andy, which was founded in 1997 by members of two local bands) who is credited first on his debut album. He performed with rock bands during his time in high school at local venues, opening for his future band mate Brian Craddock's band My Dog Lucy and Matt Jagger. During high school, he appeared in two stage productions: The Wiz and Peter Pan. His first official performance was singing "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus, father of Miley Cyrus, at his grandfather's bar. Daughtry graduated from Fluvanna High School in 1998.
#57 Andrew Garcia
Next on American Idol finalist countdown is another season 9 finalist, my number 57 American Idol finalist Andrew Garcia. He got 9th place in a double elimination with Katie Stevens. I think Jermaine Sellers should have made the top 12 instead of him. Garcia hails from Moreno Valley, California.
Garcia was born to Mexican parents. He also has an older brother. Garcia's fiancée, Christine Concepcion, is a popular YouTube singer. Garcia has a son, Caeland, with her. Garcia has a tattoo of his son's name on the right side of his neck, a tattoo of an "A" on his wrist, a rose on his front left arm, and a pair of Christine's lips in red on the left side of his neck.
Garcia auditioned for American Idol season 9 in Pasadena, California. He sung "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5, which he would later perform on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010. He was praised by all three judges, especially Simon Cowell, who called him a "genuinely good singer," as well as guest judge Katy Perry. He later appeared in Hollywood, where he sang "Straight Up" by former American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and since has been particularly known for that performance.
Garcia was born to Mexican parents. He also has an older brother. Garcia's fiancée, Christine Concepcion, is a popular YouTube singer. Garcia has a son, Caeland, with her. Garcia has a tattoo of his son's name on the right side of his neck, a tattoo of an "A" on his wrist, a rose on his front left arm, and a pair of Christine's lips in red on the left side of his neck.
Garcia auditioned for American Idol season 9 in Pasadena, California. He sung "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5, which he would later perform on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010. He was praised by all three judges, especially Simon Cowell, who called him a "genuinely good singer," as well as guest judge Katy Perry. He later appeared in Hollywood, where he sang "Straight Up" by former American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and since has been particularly known for that performance.
#58 Casey James
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 58 American Idol finalist, guitarist and ladies' man Casey James. He got 3rd place on American Idol season 9.
Casey Everett James was born on May 31, 1982, in Plano, Texas, and raised in Cool, Texas. He had a bad reaction to the petussis vaccine when he was an infant, and his family feared brain damage. According to his mother Debra "Bybee" James, however, she realized that he would be all right and was going to be musical when he started humming before he talked. James started playing the guitar at the age of 13 and within a year he was playing on stage. James has played acoustic sets with his mother and blues with his older brother, Billy Cole. He has also played with country and rock bands.
Before American Idol, he played with his band, The Casey James Band, consisting of James on lead guitar and vocals, his brother, Bills Cole on bass, and Jacy McCann on drums. They recorded four songs, including the first song that James ever wrote, "Freezing," back in 2002.
James cites blues guitarist Doyle Bramhall II as a major musical influence and whom he would most like to perform with in his Idol Q&A. Another major influence is Stevie Ray Vaughn; James named Vaughn's 1992 album In the Beginning as a formative album in his childhood. Other influences cited in the article are southern rockers Lynyrd Skynard and Pearl Jam.
Casey Everett James was born on May 31, 1982, in Plano, Texas, and raised in Cool, Texas. He had a bad reaction to the petussis vaccine when he was an infant, and his family feared brain damage. According to his mother Debra "Bybee" James, however, she realized that he would be all right and was going to be musical when he started humming before he talked. James started playing the guitar at the age of 13 and within a year he was playing on stage. James has played acoustic sets with his mother and blues with his older brother, Billy Cole. He has also played with country and rock bands.
Before American Idol, he played with his band, The Casey James Band, consisting of James on lead guitar and vocals, his brother, Bills Cole on bass, and Jacy McCann on drums. They recorded four songs, including the first song that James ever wrote, "Freezing," back in 2002.
James cites blues guitarist Doyle Bramhall II as a major musical influence and whom he would most like to perform with in his Idol Q&A. Another major influence is Stevie Ray Vaughn; James named Vaughn's 1992 album In the Beginning as a formative album in his childhood. Other influences cited in the article are southern rockers Lynyrd Skynard and Pearl Jam.
#59 Allison Iraheta
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 59 American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta. She got 4th place on American Idol season 8 and is the last girl standing of that season. Before her stint on American Idol, she won the Telemundo competition show called Quinceañera: Mamá Quiero Ser Artista, which was produced and broadcast in 2007 and 2008. Following the conclusion of American Idol season 8, Iraheta was signed to 19 Recordings, Ltd. and the now defunct Jive Records. Her debut album Just Like You was released on December 1, 2009. I believe that she should have made the top 2 with Adam Lambert instead of her season's winner Kris Allen.
Iraheta was born in Glendale, California, to Salvadoran immigrants who relocated to the United States before she was born. She is the youngest of three, with two older siblings Jacki and Carlos Iraheta. According to her family, she has been singing since she was a toddler, as has my number one American Idol finalist, who is also the youngest in the family. In 2001, she began taking voice lessons with Raphael Enriquez at the Los Angeles Music and Art School, a non-profit community school of the arts in East Los Angeles. Before rising to prominence, she frequently performed at the local Latin Electronics Store La Curaçao and the Los Angeles Music and Art School's annual benefit concert, Stars for the Arts. Iraheta attended Los Angeles' Animo Ralph Bunche Charter High School at the time of her stint on American Idol.
In 2007, Iraheta won the short-lived the reality television competition program Quinceañera: Mamá Quiero Ser Artista (which means "Sweet Fifteen: Mom, I Want to be an Artist"), which was produced and broadcasted in 2006-2007 on Telemundo, where she sang both in English and Spanish.
On the show, a group of teenage girls such as Olivia Bonilla, Brissia Mayagolita, and others of Latino origin competed in a singing competition for the main prize of $50,000 and a recording contract. Iraheta was the first (and only) winner of the competition and received the grand prize, but due to legal problems of the show the recording contract was never finalized and the show was canceled.
Iraheta was born in Glendale, California, to Salvadoran immigrants who relocated to the United States before she was born. She is the youngest of three, with two older siblings Jacki and Carlos Iraheta. According to her family, she has been singing since she was a toddler, as has my number one American Idol finalist, who is also the youngest in the family. In 2001, she began taking voice lessons with Raphael Enriquez at the Los Angeles Music and Art School, a non-profit community school of the arts in East Los Angeles. Before rising to prominence, she frequently performed at the local Latin Electronics Store La Curaçao and the Los Angeles Music and Art School's annual benefit concert, Stars for the Arts. Iraheta attended Los Angeles' Animo Ralph Bunche Charter High School at the time of her stint on American Idol.
In 2007, Iraheta won the short-lived the reality television competition program Quinceañera: Mamá Quiero Ser Artista (which means "Sweet Fifteen: Mom, I Want to be an Artist"), which was produced and broadcasted in 2006-2007 on Telemundo, where she sang both in English and Spanish.
On the show, a group of teenage girls such as Olivia Bonilla, Brissia Mayagolita, and others of Latino origin competed in a singing competition for the main prize of $50,000 and a recording contract. Iraheta was the first (and only) winner of the competition and received the grand prize, but due to legal problems of the show the recording contract was never finalized and the show was canceled.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
#60 Katie Stevens
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is Katie Stevens. She landed in eighth place in a double elimination with ninth placer Andrew Garcia. Her favorite artists are Jason Mraz and Whitney Houston. Her musical influences include Taylor Swift and her own brother Ryan Stevens. She can play the guitar, piano, cello, and flute, but she did not get a chance to play them on American Idol during her time in the competition.
Katherine "Katie" Marie Stevens was born to Mark Stevens and Clara Francisco on December 8, 1992, in Southbury, Connecticut. She was raised in Middlebury, Connecticut. Her Portuguese grandmother Rita Francisco has Alzheimer's disease. Stevens speaks English and Portuguese. She graduated from Pomperaug High School in Southbury, Connecticut, in June 2010. She came in second place in the 2009 Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen Pageant and named the 2009 Westbury Outstanding Teen at the Greater Watertown Scholarship Pageant. Stevens was instrumental in the creation of the Evan Gagnon Memorial Scholarship Fund, which gives college scholarships to the seniors of Pomperaug High School. Evan Gagnon, who died in January 2009 at the age of two, was the son of Stevens' Spanish teacher. Stevens has also been a member of Pomperaug's High School Varsity Swim Team all four years.
Stevens first performed for an audience at the age of five, when she performed the U.S. national anthem at a party for a politician in her hometown. At the age of seven, she performed "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain at her aunt's wedding. Since she was young, Stevens has been active in her local theater community. She played the role of Dorothy in both BSS Children's Theater and Main Street Theater's Wizard of OZ. At Main Street Theater Stevens also played the role of Sharpay in High School Musical and "The Cat" in Honk. She played Nellie Forbush in Pomperaug High School's South Pacific alongside Gary Dwyer as Emile DeBeque. In addition, Stevens performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 13.
Katherine "Katie" Marie Stevens was born to Mark Stevens and Clara Francisco on December 8, 1992, in Southbury, Connecticut. She was raised in Middlebury, Connecticut. Her Portuguese grandmother Rita Francisco has Alzheimer's disease. Stevens speaks English and Portuguese. She graduated from Pomperaug High School in Southbury, Connecticut, in June 2010. She came in second place in the 2009 Miss Connecticut's Outstanding Teen Pageant and named the 2009 Westbury Outstanding Teen at the Greater Watertown Scholarship Pageant. Stevens was instrumental in the creation of the Evan Gagnon Memorial Scholarship Fund, which gives college scholarships to the seniors of Pomperaug High School. Evan Gagnon, who died in January 2009 at the age of two, was the son of Stevens' Spanish teacher. Stevens has also been a member of Pomperaug's High School Varsity Swim Team all four years.
Stevens first performed for an audience at the age of five, when she performed the U.S. national anthem at a party for a politician in her hometown. At the age of seven, she performed "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain at her aunt's wedding. Since she was young, Stevens has been active in her local theater community. She played the role of Dorothy in both BSS Children's Theater and Main Street Theater's Wizard of OZ. At Main Street Theater Stevens also played the role of Sharpay in High School Musical and "The Cat" in Honk. She played Nellie Forbush in Pomperaug High School's South Pacific alongside Gary Dwyer as Emile DeBeque. In addition, Stevens performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 13.
#61 Brooke White
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown, which ends by February 28, 2012, is Brooke White. She landed in fifth place on American Idol season 7. She released her debut album Songs from the Attic in 2005 under the record label New Millennium Records Group. Her first post-Idol album is High Hopes & Heartbreak released in 2009 under the record label June Baby Records. Her first single "Hold Up My Heart" was released on February 25, 2009, and the song debuted at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Brooke Elizabeth White was born to Brad and Kaylene White on June 2, 1983, in Phoenix, Arizona. She grew up with three younger siblings: Kaylee, Tyler, and Quinn. She is of English descent. She also has family members in Nova Scotia, Canada, and she is a Mormon.
White started singing at the age of 16, when she auditioned for the high school musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, a 1989 broadway production based on the 1944 of the same name, and earned the lead role. White graduated from Heritage Academy High School in 2001. She, at one time, attended beauty school, and described herself as a "beauty school dropout", and shared on American Idol that she started doing hair at the age of 11. White moved to Los Angeles, California when she was 19 years old, where she attended the Musicians Institute for three months and then spent the next four years honing her craft as a singer-songwriter recording in the studio and performing in the clubs of Hollywood, California under the guidance of Tim Simms. White also spent a year as a nanny for twin baby girls. During her elimination video on American Idol, White stated "It's probably not a secret that I struggled with my own confidence but I'm stronger than I thought I was and that's a great thing to get out of this." White currently resides in Van Nuys, California, with her husband. On December 16, 2011, she announced on her blog that she is pregnant with a baby girl due to be born in May 2012.
White auditioned for American Idol season 7 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she sang "Like a Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae and received positive reviews from all of the judges. During the Hollywood Round, she performed "Beautiful" by Carole King, and accompanied herself on piano. After that performance, judges commented that White reminded them of a young Carole King. During top 24 week, White performed "Happy Together" by The Turtles, a Los Angeles based rock band fronted by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman and known for its cover version of "It Ain't Me Babe" by Bob Dylan. During top 20 week, she accompanied herself on the guitar for her performance of "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon and stared at Simon Cowell during the performance. During top 16 week, she performed "Love Is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar, and she advanced to the finals.
Brooke Elizabeth White was born to Brad and Kaylene White on June 2, 1983, in Phoenix, Arizona. She grew up with three younger siblings: Kaylee, Tyler, and Quinn. She is of English descent. She also has family members in Nova Scotia, Canada, and she is a Mormon.
White started singing at the age of 16, when she auditioned for the high school musical, Meet Me in St. Louis, a 1989 broadway production based on the 1944 of the same name, and earned the lead role. White graduated from Heritage Academy High School in 2001. She, at one time, attended beauty school, and described herself as a "beauty school dropout", and shared on American Idol that she started doing hair at the age of 11. White moved to Los Angeles, California when she was 19 years old, where she attended the Musicians Institute for three months and then spent the next four years honing her craft as a singer-songwriter recording in the studio and performing in the clubs of Hollywood, California under the guidance of Tim Simms. White also spent a year as a nanny for twin baby girls. During her elimination video on American Idol, White stated "It's probably not a secret that I struggled with my own confidence but I'm stronger than I thought I was and that's a great thing to get out of this." White currently resides in Van Nuys, California, with her husband. On December 16, 2011, she announced on her blog that she is pregnant with a baby girl due to be born in May 2012.
White auditioned for American Idol season 7 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she sang "Like a Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae and received positive reviews from all of the judges. During the Hollywood Round, she performed "Beautiful" by Carole King, and accompanied herself on piano. After that performance, judges commented that White reminded them of a young Carole King. During top 24 week, White performed "Happy Together" by The Turtles, a Los Angeles based rock band fronted by vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman and known for its cover version of "It Ain't Me Babe" by Bob Dylan. During top 20 week, she accompanied herself on the guitar for her performance of "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon and stared at Simon Cowell during the performance. During top 16 week, she performed "Love Is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar, and she advanced to the finals.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
#62 Crystal Bowersox
Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 62 American Idol finalist Crystal Bowersox. She is the runner-up of American Idol season 9. She appeared on a commercial with blues legend B.B. King. Her debut album, Farmer's Daughter, was published on December 14, 2010, on the now defunct Jive Records label. Like Elliott Yamin, she has type-1 diabetes.
Crystal Lynn Bowersox was born alongside her twin brother Carl on August 4, 1985, in Elliston, Ohio. She attended Oak Harbor High School in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and later attended Toledo School for the Arts in Toledo, Ohio. Bowersox performed her first professional gig at the age of 10. She appeared at local bars in Toledo, most popularly Papa's Tavern, and The Village Idiot in Maumee, Ohio. At the age of 17, she relocated to Chicago, Illinois. looking for opportunity. She most commonly played as a busker at several train stations, including the Washington and Lake Redline stops. She frequented open mics, such as the Uncommon Ground Clark and Grace, and Devon locations. She also played extensively in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. In 2006, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs chose Bowersox to represent Chicago folk musicians in the Sister Cities program "Experience Chicago", held in Birmingham, England. In 2007, Bowersox traveled internationally on an independent small cafe tour, including Memphis, Tennessee; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey.
Bowersox auditioned for American Idol season 9 in Chicago, Illinois. She performed "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin. Guest judge Shania Twain commented that she had a "raw, natural talent", as Simon Cowell commented on my number 1 American Idol finalist back in season 8. During the first Hollywood Round, Bowersox performed "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. During the second Hollywood Round, which is Group Round, her group performed "Get Ready" by The Temptations. During the third Hollywood Round, she performed "If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow. During top 24 week, she performed "Hand in My Pocket" by Alanis Morissette, who would perform with Josh Krajcik during the X Factor season 1 final week. On March 2, 2010, during top 20 week, Bowersox was hospitalized because of complications from diabetes, forcing a last minute switch in scheduling to give her extra time to recuperate. The male contestants competed that day instead of the female contestants. The next day, she performed "Long as I Can See the Light" by Credence Clearwater Revival and impressed all of the judges. Bowersox confirmed the illness on the May 19, 2010 results show during an interview with host Ryan Seacrest. The following week, her strong performance of "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman prompted Simon Cowell to state, "Right now, you are the one everyone has to beat."
During top 12 week, Bowersox performed "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones. During top 11 week, she performed "Me and Bobby McGee" by Roger Miller. During top 10 week, she performed "Midnight Train to Georgia", which was originally recorded by Cissy Houston and made popular by Gladys Knight & the Pips. During top 9A week, she performed "Come Together", which was originally recorded by The Beatles and later covered by the late Michael Jackson. During top 9B week, she performed "Saved" by LaVern Baker. During top 7 week, she performed "People Get Ready" by The Impressions. During top 6 week, she performed "No One Needs to Know" by Shania Twain. After Siobhan Magnus got eliminated that week, Bowersox became the last girl standing in the competition. During top 5 week, Bowersox performed "Summer Wind", which was originally recorded by Frank Newton and made popular by Frank Sinatra. During top 4 week, she performed "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from the 2006 Irish musical film Once as a duet with Lee DeWyze and then performed "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins from the 1980 American comedy film Candyshack solo. During top 3 week, she performed "Come to My Window" by Melissa Etheridge as chosen by herself and "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney as chosen by the judges.
Bowersox is the first female contestant to make it to the finale since Jordin Sparks won the American Idol crown in 2007. She is also the first contestant in American Idol history to have one of their original songs played on the show, or at least during their hometown package. During finale week, she did an encore of her top 11 performance and then performed "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles as chosen by Simon Fuller, and finally her first single "Up to the Mountain", which was originally recorded by Solomon Burke. During her time on American Idol, Bowersox dated Tony Kusian, but the couple broke up just hours before the finale of American Idol season 9. On the final performance day, in Simon Cowell's final critique on American Idol, he called her performance of "Up to the Mountain" "outstanding" and by far, "the best performance and song of the night".
On May 26, Bowersox was named the runner-up to winner Lee DeWyze, the least successful winner in American Idol history. She recently announced that after her time on American Idol, she wants to bring more diabetes awareness.
Crystal Lynn Bowersox was born alongside her twin brother Carl on August 4, 1985, in Elliston, Ohio. She attended Oak Harbor High School in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and later attended Toledo School for the Arts in Toledo, Ohio. Bowersox performed her first professional gig at the age of 10. She appeared at local bars in Toledo, most popularly Papa's Tavern, and The Village Idiot in Maumee, Ohio. At the age of 17, she relocated to Chicago, Illinois. looking for opportunity. She most commonly played as a busker at several train stations, including the Washington and Lake Redline stops. She frequented open mics, such as the Uncommon Ground Clark and Grace, and Devon locations. She also played extensively in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. In 2006, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs chose Bowersox to represent Chicago folk musicians in the Sister Cities program "Experience Chicago", held in Birmingham, England. In 2007, Bowersox traveled internationally on an independent small cafe tour, including Memphis, Tennessee; Oaxaca, Mexico; and Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey.
Bowersox auditioned for American Idol season 9 in Chicago, Illinois. She performed "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin. Guest judge Shania Twain commented that she had a "raw, natural talent", as Simon Cowell commented on my number 1 American Idol finalist back in season 8. During the first Hollywood Round, Bowersox performed "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin. During the second Hollywood Round, which is Group Round, her group performed "Get Ready" by The Temptations. During the third Hollywood Round, she performed "If It Makes You Happy" by Sheryl Crow. During top 24 week, she performed "Hand in My Pocket" by Alanis Morissette, who would perform with Josh Krajcik during the X Factor season 1 final week. On March 2, 2010, during top 20 week, Bowersox was hospitalized because of complications from diabetes, forcing a last minute switch in scheduling to give her extra time to recuperate. The male contestants competed that day instead of the female contestants. The next day, she performed "Long as I Can See the Light" by Credence Clearwater Revival and impressed all of the judges. Bowersox confirmed the illness on the May 19, 2010 results show during an interview with host Ryan Seacrest. The following week, her strong performance of "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman prompted Simon Cowell to state, "Right now, you are the one everyone has to beat."
During top 12 week, Bowersox performed "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones. During top 11 week, she performed "Me and Bobby McGee" by Roger Miller. During top 10 week, she performed "Midnight Train to Georgia", which was originally recorded by Cissy Houston and made popular by Gladys Knight & the Pips. During top 9A week, she performed "Come Together", which was originally recorded by The Beatles and later covered by the late Michael Jackson. During top 9B week, she performed "Saved" by LaVern Baker. During top 7 week, she performed "People Get Ready" by The Impressions. During top 6 week, she performed "No One Needs to Know" by Shania Twain. After Siobhan Magnus got eliminated that week, Bowersox became the last girl standing in the competition. During top 5 week, Bowersox performed "Summer Wind", which was originally recorded by Frank Newton and made popular by Frank Sinatra. During top 4 week, she performed "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová from the 2006 Irish musical film Once as a duet with Lee DeWyze and then performed "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins from the 1980 American comedy film Candyshack solo. During top 3 week, she performed "Come to My Window" by Melissa Etheridge as chosen by herself and "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney as chosen by the judges.
Bowersox is the first female contestant to make it to the finale since Jordin Sparks won the American Idol crown in 2007. She is also the first contestant in American Idol history to have one of their original songs played on the show, or at least during their hometown package. During finale week, she did an encore of her top 11 performance and then performed "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles as chosen by Simon Fuller, and finally her first single "Up to the Mountain", which was originally recorded by Solomon Burke. During her time on American Idol, Bowersox dated Tony Kusian, but the couple broke up just hours before the finale of American Idol season 9. On the final performance day, in Simon Cowell's final critique on American Idol, he called her performance of "Up to the Mountain" "outstanding" and by far, "the best performance and song of the night".
On May 26, Bowersox was named the runner-up to winner Lee DeWyze, the least successful winner in American Idol history. She recently announced that after her time on American Idol, she wants to bring more diabetes awareness.
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