American Idol Contestants Rock Hollywood Week

American Idol, like many other reality TV programs, is a show people either love or hate. Regardless of where individual feelings fall on this spectrum, it's hard to deny the many stars American Idol is producing. Popular artists like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia Barrino, and Jordin Sparks were all discovered on this show. The thousands of talented singers who turned out for the America Idol Season 7 auditions was an acknowledgement by the American public as to the increasing power of this talent search.

On Tuesday, February 12, 2008, the seventh American Idol Hollywood Week premiered on television, featuring 164 contestants all competing for the chance to advance to the next round. By the end of the third day, two-thirds of the individuals in this group were sent home, leaving only fifty singers remaining with the hope of becoming the next American Idol.

The competition began with each contestant performing alone in front of the judges. Unlike in previous years, singers were allowed to play an instrument. This proved to be a benefit in some auditions and the downfall of others. A second change in this season's competition was there were no contestants eliminated on the first part of this round. Even those who received a resounding "no" from the judges were given a second chance to redeem themselves. At the close of Day 1 of Hollywood Week, fifty-four contestants were in need of this new option. A stand-out performance for me on day one was Amanda Overmyer, the rocker nurse from Indiana. Amanda brings something new to American Idol with her edgy voice, which is reminiscent of rock and roll star Janice Joplin but with a modern twist.

Day 2 of Hollywood Week was a continuation of the first round auditions. This day produced sixty more singers requiring a second audition. It also presented an individual who rose above the crowd-Josiah Leming. Josiah Leming is a talented young man from Tennessee who's been living in his car for the past year. He has a unique and multi-faceted voice and, oddly enough, when he sings he actually sounds British. This may explain why Simon Cowell referred to his performance as the audition he would remember!

On Day 3, over a hundred American Idol contestants faced the second chance auditions. This was the first time any eliminations took place. During this phase of the audition, contestants were divided into small groups and asked to sing a few lines of a song a capella (without accompaniment). Performers received no immediate feedback from the judges. After all the singers had auditioned, they were again broken into groups - those staying and those going home.

Day 4 of Hollywood Week was the final day of American Idol auditions. Each contestant was given one last chance to prove the "American Idol factor" to the judges. This day also brought another change to the audition process. Singers were given the opportunity to perform with a live band and three backup singers, much like the Final 24 in previous years.

Based on their auditions, here are some individuals to look for in the top 24 slots: David Hernandez (AZ), Josiah Leming (TN), Asia'h Epperson (MO), Michael Johns (CA), Joshua Jones (GA), Syesha Mercado (FL), Danny Noriega (CA), Amanda Overmyer (IN), Carly Smithson (CA), David Archuleta (UT), and David Cook (OK).

The show ended with the judges deliberating over the photos of the American Idol hopefuls. This is season promises to be the best one yet. And yes, I know television programs always make this promise. In American Idol's case, I believe the talent showcased last night backs up that claim. I guess we'll just have to watch and see!

American Idol will announce the Final 24 contestants on FOX tonight at 8/7 Central.