Idle Thoughts on Idol

I had some time last week to sit down and watch American Idol again (at least parts), and picked up on some interesting things with some of the contestants. Maybe you did, too.

Change Things Up

Casey James has been playing guitar each week. It works for him. In fact, he says “this is what I do.” But if he were playing a full set, and if I were working with him, Read more

American Idols – Do We Know Who You Are?

I think I may have figured it out…that underlying factor that pegs me every time I watch American Idol. It’s the age factor, or more importantly, the maturity factor.

It hit me when Kara commented for the umpteenth time, “we don’t know who you are!” Of course we don’t know who they are…they are TOO YOUNG!

Who knows who they are in their teens and early 20s? Plus, as relatively new singers Read more

Kara Cried – American Idol

Last week, during the cuts down to the final 12 on American Idol, I heard a lot about song choice. It seemed people were being critiqued on that issue frequently.

The other night, Kara cried when Big Mike sang a song that he owned. Read more

American Idol: Singing or Performance?

I understand that American Idol is a “singing” competition. But what amazes me is that in order to be heard properly, you have to “bring it.” In other words, you must perform!

Stage presence, your ability to connect, your ability to draw the audience in – capture and engage, and create moments – in one song, makes all the difference. Read more

American Idol: Top 24 Finally

This week’s American Idol was really full of drama! In fact, picking the top 24 finalists played more like a dramatic series than a vocal competition.

They really know how to keep a person on the edge of their seat as they talk to the artists, letting them know whether they’re in or out. (Makes for great TV, but it almost seems cruel at times.)

Now the game is on. Read more

The Group Dynamic on American Idol

Being in a band or group of any kind requires teamwork. No question about it.

That was very evident as I watched American Idol contestants divide up and perform in group competitions. It was rough! Many of them weren’t used to the give and take singing in a group calls for.

Typically someone will name themselves “leader” of the group, but their leadership skills may leave much to be desired. In one of the groups on American Idol, Read more

American Idol: Do You Have a Story?

As I sat down to take some notes on the latest episodes of American Idol, I realized the audition stage of the series is not so much about a vocal competition. It’s more of a drama, a bad comedy, or even at times a little like science fiction. (Some of the people auditioning must be from a different planet!)

But seriously, watching this part of the auditions is different than when we finally get to see the artists singing and performing on a stage.

To be honest with you, I don’t necessarily like this part of the process because Read more

I Just Wanna Be Famous

As I watched American Idol last Tuesday night, one thing that struck me was the desire for so many people to just be famous. Either legitimately (with talent) or illegitimately (with outrageousness or lack of talent.)

Obviously, some just try to get their 15 minutes of fame by doing whatever they can to get some camera time. One girl after being told “no” admitted afterward Read more

Simon Says: Time to Leave American Idol

I have to admit, I am a “take it, or leave it” type of guy when it comes to American Idol. There are some seasons I am into it, and there are some seasons I don’t watch it until the finals! I guess you could say I have mixed emotions about the whole phenomenon. Read more

American Idol: The Good, the Bad, and the Angry

I have been asked to blog my observations on upcoming American Idol episodes this year. To be honest, I resisted at first, for a couple of reasons. Read more

Next Page »