American Idol 2011: AI#10 Auditions in Nashville, TN Recap

For tonight's American Idol show, they featured a very small portion of those that tried out in Nashville, TN. Here is a recap of some of the highlights from the show and my commentary.

The streets gridlocked as 17,000 people showed up to audition for the biggest talent show in the nation, American Idol. The judges were ready to find the talent and many Idol Contestants were looking to become a star like Carrie Underwood. This year's tryouts were held at the Ryman Auditorium

Christine McCaffrey, West Palm Beach, FL, 47, Dental Assistant

Christine sang 'I hope you dance', but the judges told her she should try out to do child voice-overs. Randy wanted to know if she was serious. Her voice was reminiscent of Angelica on the Rugrats show.

Next up was a couple that used to be together, then they broke up, but they still performed as a duet, auditioning together, and we found out, even still living together. Chelsea said they had tried to work on the relationship but it hadn't worked out. Rob said they were not friends right now but they hope it will work out. When they performed together, the love they still had for one another shined through.

Rob Bolin, Nashville, TN, Works as a Restaurant, 23

Chelsea Oaks, Nashville, TN, 23, Waitress

After their duet, the judges then had them perform independently and both did well but the music didn't hit you like it had when they performed together. Randy said, "You both sang well, but as beautiful as you both sang separately, you sang perfectly together." J.Lo and Steven Tyler agreed. Randy said, "Yes to both of you, you are both going to Hollywood." Tyler suggested that they might get back together in Hollywood.

Allen Lewis, Franklin Furnace, OH, 26, Tattoo artist

When Allen was done performing he was told, "You have got a great laugh," by J.Lo. Then Randy said, "I feel like you are really more of a band guy." Allen said, "From my point of view, I love criticism. If you are telling me you're not quite there yet, it will tell me that I have got to go home and work harder." He was a muscle bound tattooed guy with a burly look. "Good luck Allen," Randy said and then to J.Lo he remarked, "He came in here looking like the toughest guy, then he left philosophizing, like an untamed tiger."

Stormi Henley, Crossville, TN, 19, Miss Teen USA

Stormi was cute and kind of gushy, like gummy bears. She said she "worked for Donald Trump, when she was Miss Teen USA." Stormi sang 'Father Can you Hear Me'. Steven Tyler told her she had a "Beautiful light squeaky little voice." J.Lo told her, " I think you are gorgeous but the voice is not strong enough." The vote was left up to Randy, and he said, "I don't know." Apparently he decided yes because she came out with the gold.

There were a few quick shots of many people; there were lots of nos and tears in Nashville.

Adrienne Beasley, Wickliffe, KY, 22, Students

Adrienne Beasley was adopted and it is obvious when you see her parents. She said, "She was black and her parents are white, and it was confusing to people sometimes." Her daddy says she fit in the family like a hand in a glove. He told her when she walked out the door "fixing to go to Nashville, wherever God takes you will be all right with me".

After her audition, Steven Tyler told her, "Something in your voice is so special. You surprised me in the middle, and it sounds so good in this room." They told Adrienne she was going to Hollywood. She said to them, "I wanted this so bad, I can't believe it." American Idol producers showed Adrienne calling her dad to tell him the news. She said, "I'm going to Hollywood." He said after a bit of silence, "Yeah I'm tickled," but then her dad wanted to know who was going to pay for her trip.

Kameela Merricks, Oak Grove, KY, 28, Regional Soloist and Military

Kameela said, "I have a huge voice, and I'm 5'2"." When she was done belting it out, there was a need for a sander in the room to soften some of the rough spots.

J.Lo commented that "the acoustics work no matter what." Tyler said, "C'mon girl, Oh my goodness. Go back home and get good." Jackson said, "Don't do it. Baby that was horrible, loud and it hurt."

American Idol then sported a blue man without the blue man group. No.

Polina Kozhikova, Boston, MA, 21, Student. No

Patrick Counts, Antioch, TN, 21, Pharmacy Tech. No

Ryan Seacrest ushered out the heart broken. One particular young man was extremely upset. I felt heartless as I sat on my couch and laughed at his outburst. I'm sure hearing no broke his heart but it was just so funny to watch because he went from somewhat happy to smiling to wailing in a millisecond. Ryan asked him if he was okay, and the emotion overtook him, and he burst out a second time.

Jackie Wilson, Nashville, TN, 28, Bar Manager

"Jackie has been ready since she was 3," her parents said. Jackie told the judges, "I can't believe that I am standing here right now." Jackie has done some singing in her life, you could tell. She belted her song, and did well. Tyler told her, "You hit the high notes and blew it out." Jackie Wilson got three yeses. J.Lo commented afterward, "She sang that song like she wrote it."

Latoya "Younique" Moore, Nashville, TN, 26, Recording artist

Latoya said, "People see the glow about me. I am unique. I look like a star. I am designed to be here, and I hope the judges see it. Thank you God." Latoya screeched out a song by Shanice, 'When I close my eyes'.

Randy told her, "Your tone is not good. It is almost annoying, like screech!" I thought the same thing, shhh girl. Don't do that again.

Paul McDonald, Nashville, TN, 25, Musician - looks like he is heading to Hollywood, CA

Jimmie Allen, Franklin, TN, 25, Waiter - Judges told him, "Good voice - love you."

Danny Pate, Auburndale, FL, 23, Citrus Farmer - 100% yes

Matt Dillard, Chatham County, TN, 27, Unemployed

Matt told the American Idol Producers, "My family takes in special needs children. We help them have a better life. We have had over 700 foster children through 23 years. If I make it, I am going to be able to help out a lot of people." Matt looked like a redneck in his farmer overalls, a tattoo and a hat but he sang like a star. Randy told him, "You sang Josh Groban looking like that? I'm on the fence." Randy said, "A very small yes, I hope you don't get swallowed up." J. Lo said, "You need a better audition." It was up to Tyler and Matt came out with the gold too.

Lauren Alaina, Rossville, GA, 15, High School Student

Lauren, a blond with a full head of hair said, "I'm a typical fifteen year- old girl. I love to sing, and my family is super-supportive." She explained that her goal was to be like her cousin Holly, whom she lived with. Holly was very supportive, but doctors discovered a brain tumor three years ago. Lauren had a fund raiser and donated her earnings to Holly's medical care fund.

When Lauren was done singing they told her, "Wow. You are best we've seen today." Then Lauren said, "Oh my god." J.Lo told her , "Don't cry," and then J.Lo started to tear up. Steven Tyler told her, "You should cry, you are going to make 40 million people cry." Randy said, "I have been saying it doesn't matter what age you are; if you've got it, you've got it."

Sources:

Fox Television, 1/27/2011