American Idol - What We Have to Look Forward to in Round Two

Round one of American Idol's elimination finals has already gone down in history with the departure of Texas songstress Lacey Brown. Lacey was the first "persona non grata" to bid farewell but next week the same scene will be replayed and another finalist will become the next casualty told to "hit the road, Jack." All America has been following this group of song birds, watching their performances, calling in votes, and cheering them on. With week two of eliminations approaching, let's take a look at what we have to look forward to.

Position of the Pack
All of the contestants know that someone will have to go. Each finalist will be working hard to meet the challenges of being ready to give a performance that could mean life or death " American Idol style." Positioning is vital, as each contestant desperately tries to avoid hearing their name called to take a seat on "the stools." (You don't want to sit there!) Here is a look at each contestant as they face round two.

Top of the Pack

Crystal Bowersox
Scoring with the judges: An early favorite, Crystal has gained the favor of the judges and the audience and fans love her. Crystal has dynamic appeal and she is someone who will be hard to beat if she stays on the mark, rocking steady, keeping focused, fresh, and fabulous.

Blowing it: A wrong song choice, or lack of energy in her performance (making it too routine) could set her back if she is not careful.

Prediction: Look for another knock-out performance from Crystal next week.

Michael Lynche
Scoring with the judges: Michael definitely belongs in this group and its hard to visualize him not giving a performance that will be a showstopper, or pretty close to one. His showmanship is always there, which is one of his strong points. He has made some good song choices.

Blowing it: Relaxing or taking things for granted is something he has to watch.

Prediction: Michael will keep his groove going with another solid performance.

Siobhan Magnus
Scoring with the judges: Siobhan is growing in popularity and she is really working that "strange" vibe Simon noted to her advantage. And, added to that, she has vocal abilities. She's improving each time she takes the stage and surprising the judges with what she can do.

Blowing it: She can lose ground if she gets too strange, her vocals are off, or she makes a poor song choice.

Prediction: Siobhan is listening to the advice of the judges,now, so look for her to come out strong with a good performance that will keep people talking. Especially if she hits one of those high notes.

Casey James
Scoring with the judges: With the look of a rock star, stage presence and guitar playing skills that enhance his performance, Casey has a one-two punch that can score with the judges.

Blowing it: Simon and Kara want him to perform more like a star. Selling himself short will cause him to lose ground, something he cannot afford to do.

Prediction: Casey will have a stronger performance than last week and make a believer out of Kara and Simon.

Middle of the Pack

Didi Benami
Scoring with the judges: Didi is one cool, calm, and collected competitor. Kara said she was "moving toward becoming an artist." She has to keep attacking her songs with intensity and keep cranking out solid performances.

Blowing it: Didi has to stay in her comfort zone. Wander too far and she could be in "no man's land" vocally, sounding off key or weak.

Prediction: She will give a performance that will keep her in the middle of the pack.

Lee DeWyze
Scoring with the judges: Kara's compliment of his last performance, (he is the one that has had the best growth so far), is fuel for his fire. The panel likes his soulful voice and his guitar playing.

Blowing it: Playing it safe (Simon said), or not giving it his all could spell disaster for him.

Prediction: Lee will rise to the occasion and put in a good, solid performance. He may even surprise us with a super song and great delivery.

Aaron Kelly
Scoring with the judges: Aaron is a hit with the judges and had a good "moment" last week. Randy indicated he has that Justin Timberlake thing going on, and Simon commended him for choosing the "100 percent right song."

Blowing it: If Aaron's vocals are weak or he sings a "honky-tonk" country song out of his league, he could be sitting at the bottom of the pack.

Prediction: This is a tough one, because the competition is getting tougher, but I will say that unless he really blows it, he will stay safely in the middle of the pack. He would have to be spectacular to move up any higher.

Paige Miles
Scoring with the judges: Paige's "star quality" and ability to hit big notes has been praised by the panel. They also like her pop/R&B sound.

Blowing it: She could blow it like last week by not connecting with the song and not pulling it out.

Prediction: Paige will perform well with a good, solid performance. Her song choice will be better this week. I don't think it will be enough to pull her from the middle of the pack, but you never know.

Bottom of the Pack

Katie Stevens
Scoring with the judges: This finalist has managed to keep her head above water and escaped a trip to the dreaded stools. She has potential singing R&B or, perhaps country. Whatever she sings, she has to connect with the lyrics and picking the right song will score big for Katie.

Blowing it: A lot could be lost if she sings like she's at a high school dance and doesn't take the advice of the judges.

Prediction: Its hard to call this one, too. Katie has been vocally challenged and inconsistent. It's any body's guess how she'll do.

Andrew Garcia
Scoring with the judges: Unique arrangements and presentations are Andy's trademark. He's a guitar-playing finalist, too. He has to deliver the performance of his life and the judges have to be feeling him.

Blowing it: Right now, he's walking a fine line. It won't take much to hurt his chances with last week's performance.

Prediction: Andrew will do OK, though I don't think you will see any thing out of the ordinary and elimination may be lurking.

Tim Urban
Scoring with the judges: The best way Tim can win the judges over is to hook up a good song with the perfect style, then stand and deliver.

Blowing it: Unfortunately, he has already been a part of the "bottom three" and if he can't get it together, he may find himself there again.

Prediction: Tim may be the next to go.

Show time for round two of the competition will reveal which finalists went home and did their homework. Everything is still unpredictable, a lot more so this season than ever before. Stay tuned for a most interesting night of musical entertainment. Everyone, place your bets.