American Idol - the Top Twelve Guys

It is American Idol season, and this year, that means there are three (read: three) nights of Idol per week. Fox is making its attempt at livening up the middle of the week, through airing its star show Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.

The grand total of hours, you ask? Five. Five hours of American Idol in the opening week of the performance round.

Tuesday was the first night for the voting public to make themselves heard. FOX showed the viewers the top twelve men to begin this sixth season of Idol. For many contestants, this was the first time we have been able to see them and in some cases to hear them perform.

The night went like this:

Rudy Cardenas

28 - N. Hollywood, CA

A professional musician, Rudy tried out for Idol with "Open Arms" and Simon said, "No" to the Hollywood round. But Rudy made it through, and this week, he sang "Free Ride."

The first performance of the night of first performances, Rudy was all nerves. "Free Ride" was probably not the best song he could have chosen to sing for this round, and the beginning was a little off. But, he was able to hit a few high notes on point during the middle of the song.

Randy said: "Really corny."

Paula said: "I thought you started off fantastic."

Simon said: "I've never heard you do anything which is unique."

Brandon Rogers

29 - Altadena, CA

Having made his living as a background singer, Brandon has worked behind such famed artists as Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, and Usher. Of his experience, he stated, "I've been lucky enough to work with the best and I think that has prepared me."

This week, he sang "Rock With You." The performance began well and picked up a little more in the middle, and he hit a good falsetto note. The judges responded...

Randy said: "It was definitely a little pitchy."

Paula said: "Less back... you're a lead vocalist now."

Simon said: "Very very safe and predictable song to do."

Sundance Head

28 - Portage, TX

After his audition, Simon stated, "I'm going to be amazed if you don't make the finals." Of his experience during the Hollywood round, Sundance said, "I had an emotional break-down." He chose to sing "Nights in White Satin."

The performance was a little shaky and off-key, although he was able to pick it up slightly during the second verse.

Randy said: "I don't even think you were on pitch the whole song."

Paula said: "I think you picked the wrong song."

Simon said: "Tonight you were like a dad at a wedding... I don't like you tonight."

Paul Kim

25 - San Jose, CA

Paul is distinctive - he is always barefoot. He says performing this way helps him feel free and comfortable. When asked why he tried for Idol, he responded, "Because I'm getting old."

This week, he chose to sing, "Careless Whisper." The beginning was very low, which was taking a bit of a chance. The song worked well during the bridge, which really showcased his voice. The low point of the performance was definitely when his falsetto fell a little flat towards the end.

Randy said: "The falsetto didn't quite work... I still like your potential."

Paula said: "Kind of over-song the song."

Simon said: "I would suggest you put your shoes on next week. ... Very ordinary attempt at George Michael..."

Chris Richardson

22 - Chesapeake, VA

Having been compared to Justin Timberlake, Chris has a very unique style and tempo/rhythm. He has a knack for translating songs into his own, and this week, he chose "I Don't Wanna Be."

He continued in his trend and made the song his own, although his voice did sound a little whiny at times. Overall, though, his performance was better than the first four.

Randy said: "I feel like the show just started."

Paula said: "I thought you did a great arrangement... new flavor."

Simon said: "I thought your voice sounded very small in that performance."

Nick Pedro

25 - Taunton, MA

This is not Nick's first time in American Idol. He tried out last year and even made it to the Hollywood round. However, he forgot his words, and was cut in the first round. Determined, he pushed himself through. This time, he made it. His first song pick? "Now and Forever."

The first line of the song had a few pitch problems, but it picked up immediately after that. The high notes were nice and on point, but this probably wasn't the best song for this round.

Randy said: "It wasn't good for me, dawg."

Paula said: "The magic kind of fell flat."

Simon said: "I actually didn't think it was that bad, actually."

Blake Lewis

25 - Seattle, WA

Blake is a professional musician who beat boxes, plays guitar, and plays piano. Up until this point, much of his footage has surrounded his beat boxing ability. This is his time to show his vocal chops.

Of his accomplishments so far, he recognized his favorite moment as the group performance. He also stated, "Being here in the top twenty-four, it just feels amazing. Explanation point."

Choosing to sing, "Somewhere Only We Know," viewers were finally able to hear his real voice, which is nice and smooth. He had a little trouble with the pitch during the middle of the song, but for the most part, he was in key.

Randy said: "I kinda dug it, man. ... I do miss the beat-boxing."

Paula said: "Odd song that we never would have expected."

Simon said: "Not the best vocal I've ever heard in my life. ... 100% right not to come out and do the beat-boxing. ... By far, the best performance of the night."

Sanjaya Malakar

17 - Seattle, WA

The youngest male in the competition, Sanjaya tried out for Idol with his older sister, who got cut in the final round of Hollywood. After singing his audition song, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered," Simon told Sanjaya he was a much better singing than his sister.

After she got cut, Sanjaya "felt half of [him] was missing." To represent both his sister and himself, he sang, "Knocks Me Off My Feet."

He has a nice smooth voice with a touch of soul, which was magnificently displayed through this performance. He employed the use of a few choice runs that worked very well, but overall, he could have used more power.

Randy said: "I didn't think it was good. ... Song too big for you."

Paula said: "I wish more of your personality and more force came through."

Simon said: "The most dreary performance."

Chris Sligh

28 - Greenville, SC

Chris believes his sense of humor has given him the extra spark to get him to this point in the competition. He names his strengths as his ability to strategize and to pick good songs.

This first week, he chose "Typical," and he had great pitch and a near perfect blend of power with this performance.

Randy said: "You were rushing a little... all good 'cause your voice was on point."

Paula said: "Strategizing well."

Simon said: "Torn here... felt I was at some weird student gig."

Jared Cotter

25 - Long Island, NY

After getting from his job serving at a restaurant, Jared made the right decision to try out for American Idol. He wasn't shown much in the previous rounds, but this week, he got the stage to himself, and sang, "Back at One."

The beginning of the song was predictable, and he didn't do a whole lot to mix it up. There were touches of his own doing sprinkled throughout, but not much to make a huge difference and give the performance the uniqueness viewers might have liked to see. After hitting the most important note, he finished the song with a huge smile on his face.

Randy said: "I thought it was pretty good... didn't like the ending."

Paula said: "I like when you are singing more up-tempo songs."

Simon said: "Very unadventurous. ... Sounded a lot nasally. ... I think you've got to take a few more risks than that."

AJ Tabaldo

22 - Santa Maria, CA

This season was AJ's fifth time trying out. He claims his best moment of Hollywood week was the first round, because that is when he would previously get cut. This week, he tackled a Luther Vandross song.

It was risky, because of the tempo, but he had a good tone to his voice throughout. The entire way through the song, he was smiling, and just having a good time.

Randy said: "Vocally it was pretty good. ... I don't know if you brought anything new to it."

Paula said: "Great job. ... You need to go for it more."

Simon said: "It was good. ... Very predictable. ... Choose a song that is a little more daring. ... Maybe you're better than I originally thought."

Phil Stacey

29 - Jacksonville, FL

An active duty sailor, Phil missed the birth of his second daughter to try out for American Idol. Of his ethic, he stated, "Between Memphis and Hollywood, I really worked hard."

To close out the show on Tuesday, Phil sang, "I Could Not Ask For Me." His nerves showed slightly in the beginning and he had a little problem with switching keys early on. During the chorus, he really got into his groove and showed his voice, although he wasn't able to change up the song very much.

Randy said: "Started a little rough. ... From the dawg you get the best vocal prize of the night."

Paula said: "You opened up in the chorus."

Simon said: "The beginning was absolutely monstrous. It was okay at the end."

Tune in to FOX tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST to catch the two-hour special featuring the top 12 girls. Then be sure to catch the results show at 8:00 p.m. EST on Thursday.