Josh Gracin CD Review: Well Worth the Wait

Ever listened to a CD that made you want to stand up and cheer at the end of it because you were so proud of the effort the artist put forth?

No? Then you clearly haven’t heard Josh Gracin’s sophomore album, “We Weren’t Crazy.” By the time Josh sang that last gorgeous note, I wanted to jump out of my chair and give a big “Woo-hoo!”

And remember, I don’t even like country music…

Usually when an album has as many stops and starts as this one did, you can count on an inferior product that was nowhere near worth the wait. Thankfully that is not the case here as Josh has given us an outstanding album that far surpasses his solid debut.

The CD gets off to a great start with “Found,” which features a great beat and a beautiful soaring chorus. That leads into his current single and the title track, “We Weren’t Crazy,” a nostalgic tune with a catchy chorus.

“Invisible” is a standard country ballad, but it has a pretty hook and Josh shows off some of his range. He continues that voice expansion with “Let Me Fall,” which spotlights Josh’s falsetto. “I Don’t Want to Live” ends this trilogy of ballads as Josh wrings every ounce of emotion out of that great country voice of his.

The CD then picks up with “Favorite State of Mind,” which was originally the title track for Josh’s sophomore CD that was scrapped. I have always liked this song, but it’s almost out of place now with the more mature sound of the rest of the CD. It’s still catchy, though, and it’ll get your feet tapping.

Then, it’s back to what Josh does best with “Telluride,” featuring another gorgeous sweeping chorus. That’s followed by another previous single, “I Keep Coming Back,” which really should’ve been more successful than it was on the charts because it’s a great country ballad.

And speaking of great country ballads, you don’t get much better than the next track, “Sweet September,” with another great chorus. Then, the CD picks up the tempo one final time for the cute ditty, “Livin’ It Up.”

But Josh wisely closes the album with another gorgeous ballad that I can hear being played at weddings everywhere this summer called “Unbelievable.”

If indeed the delay in this CD was to find better tracks, then the plan worked as the geniuses at Lyric Street Records have done it again. Josh’s voice is stronger and better than ever and it shines on every track. There are a lot of opportunities for singles here and I hope that Josh gets to take advantage of every one of them.

Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Gracin is back and I couldn’t be happier about it.

“We Weren’t Crazy” from Lyric Street Records hits stores Tuesday, April 1st.

You can take a listen for yourself here.

Note: This review was written based on an Internet stream of the CD and not the actual CD.

This Weekend

So, I’m going out of town the next couple of days to get this whole computer thing taken care of.

But I hope to be back sometime Sunday with Chikezie AND Amanda’s exit interviews and we’ll start the great Dolly Parton debate.

In the meantime, if you have something to say that just can’t wait, post your comment here.

Henderson, out!

Did America Get It Right?

I totally disagree that this season is the best ever, but I would agree that it is the craziest ever. Or maybe the word is inconsistent…

And I would apply that same word to America as well. Sometimes they’re right on, and other times—like tonight—they’re not even close.

Did America get it right? No. Chikezie did not deserve to go home. And even though I predicted he would land in the bottom three, I don’t even think he deserved that. Yes, he did a bit of a repeat, but he did it well, which his goodbye performance illustrated beautifully.

And you know he was going to break out the harmonica again next week for Dolly/country week…

What do you think? Did America get it right?

And is Kristy Lee ever going home?...

And the person going home tonight is...

9:53 We’re back…Simon says Chikezie chose the wrong song and that the contestants shouldn’t underestimate the viewing public…Simon says he didn’t like Syesha’s song but Randy and Paula disagree…Syesha…is safe…YEA!!!...Chikezie is going home…

For the record, I have nothing against Chikezie, I just wanted Syesha to stay…

9:54 Chikezie’s goodbye video…So is he going to go yell at Byrd and Rickey now since they talked him into sticking with the ballad?…I think they owe him an apology…Rickey does not look happy. I think he knows he messed up…

9:56 Chikezie does “If Only For One Night”…He goes over to the Idols. Jason pretends to get all weak in the knees…Chikezie’s mom is enjoying it, but that come hither move she’s doing is a little creepy…Ramiele is crying, of course…The Idols head toward him and then stop to let him have his final notes…

9:58 And we’re out as they come to hug him.

Now could someone tell me what was wrong with that performance?

Did Anyone Predict This Bottom Three?

9:42 We’re back…”Idol Gives Back” plug…Why don’t they ever ask Kiefer? He’s on the same network, for goodness sake…”IGB” video showing where money went in America…Paula at Boys and Girls Club…Ruben at a Boys and Girls Club…I know I give “IGB” a hard time, but it really did do a lot of good…Good song choice for the video. Anybody know what it was?…Tickets are on sale for “IGB” now…Exxon Mobil has given a major gift as well as News Corp. Ryan plugs for more corporations…

9:45 Syesha is all smiles…Ramiele comes out. Does that mean she’s safe since we only need one more person…Yes, she is…Now it’s Jason and Kristy Lee. This might be interesting…The screaming would suggest he’s safe…Ryan mentions Lee Greenwood’s comments…Kristy Lee is safe and she is shocked. I told you this would be interesting. There is widespread booing from the audience at the revelation Jason is in the bottom three…

9:48 Chikezie, Syesha and Jason. Did anyone predict that?...Jason said he knew he was going to be in the bottom three because of how late he came out. He said it would be “a big shocker”…Jason is safe…

9:48 Chikezie and Syesha…Syesha is still smiling. It’s surely Chikezie, right?...After the break…

K-Lo Shows Them How It's Done

9:27 We’re back…Oh boy, it’s “Idol Live” time…Ryan plugs “American Idol Extra” on the FOX Reality Channel. They show Constantine and Gina Glocksen in the audience, but Ryan doesn’t explain why (They’re the co-hosts of the show.)…A caller asks Simon how they can take Ryan’s job. He tells her she doesn’t need a lot of talent. I love you, Ryan...Brooke says she would like to do a duet with John Mayer. You know the producers are calling him up right now…

9:31 Finally, it’s K-Lo time…Video first…She was in law school? I didn’t remember that…Look at all the hair Simon had in season two…I think “Eighth World Wonder” is one of the best Idol songs ever released…Wow, she looks great! “Celebrity Fit Club” works wonders, doesn’t it?...”Change” is such a great song. It’s a shame her CD hasn’t sold better, but she is the AC radio queen, so I guess that’s something…

9:34 K-Lo takes the stage to sing “Fall”…Wow, that gown is really traditional for Christian, but it’s fierce. However, on her, it actually makes her butt and middle look big…And I don’t like her hair pulled back. It makes her look old. Wonder who made that decision. Surely not Christian. And I know he didn’t choose that necklace….Sorry, I’m done criticizing how she looks now. Let’s move on to how she sounds which is absolutely fantastic. I hope this appearance boosts her downloads…They didn’t even mention who designed the dress! I know it’s a show on a rival network, but come on!...After the break…

I guess I should point out for those of you who don’t know that Christian is Christian Siriano, the winner of “Project Runway,” which I am completely obsessed with…

Who's joining Chikezie?

9:19 We’re back…Ford commercial…”I Want You to Want Me”…Michael sounds good…The Idols are appearing on t-shirts while a guy walks through a store…Didn’t they already do that song? I guess that was last year…

9:20 David Archuleta…Lots of screaming…Maybe the revelation of a girlfriend didn’t bother him as badly as I thought it would…He’s safe, of course…David Cook…Almost as many screams as David A…Ryan says that Chris Cornell loved David’s song…

9:21 Syesha Mercado…She’s in the bottom three…I had a slight concern that she may have been a little forgettable after those other performances and I guess that concern was warranted. I even had that typed last night, but I decided to erase it and stick to my original prediction…Michael Johns…safe…I’m guessing this Syesha development means I’m wrong about Kristy Lee. Darn it!...Ryan confirms what I hadn’t had a chance to tell you yet. Next week, Dolly Parton will be on the show, but whether that means Dolly week or country week I’m not sure. You know Kristy Lee is saying a lot of prayers backstage. After the break…

Was My Gut RIght?

9:05 Thank goodness. “Idol Gives Back” doesn’t start at 7:30 p.m…

9:05 We’re back...Behind the scenes of the recording sessions for the full-length songs you can buy on iTunes. I’m so glad they’re letting us download these as well as the performances this year. I’m so downloading both for David Cook’s “Billie Jean”…Ryan says they’re not allowing these to track because that would affect the competition, but if they did they would take up the first five spots…Basically that was a three minute iTunes commercial…

9:08 Recap…David C. just gave me chills again. That was so awesome…

9:11 We’re doing the one-by-one thing again...Ryan explains the sofa vs. the urinal stools (of course he didn’t call them that)…Chikezie...He’s ready to hit the stools and even points to them…And he is on the stools. He’s in the bottom three…Brooke…sofa. She’s safe…Carly…She denies the rumor that she’s pregnant (that was apparently reported earlier today) and explains that she was wearing something to appear skinnier last night, which knocked her off her game…Carly is…safe and she jumps to the sofa and tackles Brooke. So my gut was wrong. Could that mean Kristy Lee in the bottom three? Please, please, please, please?!...After the break…

"Right Back Where We Started From"

8:56 How can every “Moment of Truth” be the most shocking one yet?...

8:56 Intro…Is Syesha’s “oh lo” going to be a catchphrase now?...

8:57 Ryan says over 30 million votes—the highest this season for a single show…

8:58 Ryan plugs the Songwriting contest. He says we need a “killer tune” and I agree. But that does that mean they think “This Is My Now” was a killer track?...They couldn’t make a new video? See, this is why these shows need to be only a half-hour…

8:59 Medley time…”Right Back to Where We Started From”…What are those dumb dance moves?...Michael is totally mocking them…What is that weird thing Carly does with her eyes? I’m surprised Simon’s never pointed that out to her…David C. and Michael chest thump. Yes, they thought it was silly too…Constantine in the house!...

9:02 Break…

Tonight's Show: WIll Simon's New Best Friend Be Watching?

Before we get to tonight’s show, let me share this statement from Lee Greenwood about Kristy Lee’s performance last night (courtesy of “USA Today”)…

“I was not only flattered but proud to hear ‘God Bless the USA’ on ‘American Idol’ last night. It’s really wonderful to give these young singers a chance to perform on the world’s largest stage to vault their careers. Win or lose, they have a chance to reach an audience never before possible. My only regret is ‘American Idol’ was not on TV when I was at the start of my career."

Notice that he didn’t say he liked the performance…

Greenwood added, “Thanks to the judges for their comments, and, Simon, you’re my new best friend”…

So, now we’re getting set for a long hour of stalling before we find out who’s going home. Everything in my gut says that it’s going to be Carly…

And, remember that Kimberley Locke will be wearing an outfit designed by the fierce, fabulous and flawless Christian Siriano. I hope he’s in the audience…

Back in about 15 with the blow-by-blow…

So who's going home?

Let me lay out my bottom three. I think it will be Ramiele, Chikezie and Carly. Do I think Carly deserves to be in the bottom three? Absolutely not. Her spot belongs to Kristy Lee, but I think she won the sympathetic/patriotic vote with that choice. And Carly didn’t really nail a classic.

So who’s going home? I think there’s an excellent chance that it will be Carly. And maybe she deserves to. This song should have been her moment and she didn’t seize it.

So what do you think? Post a comment and we’ll get this discussion started.

Remember that the results show airs tomorrow beginning at 9 p.m. on FOX…

David Wows Us Again

David Cook, “Billie Jean”: 20+
I told you that David would rock out some obscure cover for us and boy, did he ever (Chris Cornell, by the way. Thanks, Ryan, for telling me so I didn’t have to look it up.). That was awesome. Since I already gave Michael a 20, I had to add the plus since this performance was worlds better. However, I have to disagree with Randy saying that David is the most original contestant ever. That would still be Blake. Remember he came up with his own arrangements. David is copying others—which is brave and creative, but not original.

And I Thought David Was Cheesy...

Kristy Lee Cook, “God Bless the U.S.A”: 10
Okay, let me apologize to David for calling his performance cheesy. The Idol stage has never seen anything as cheesy as that. Now, before you call me unpatriotic, let me say that I love that song, but I felt like I was at some kind of beauty pageant. And she didn’t even sing it that well! However, I do agree with Simon that it was a clever choice because she was clearly pandering to emotion. I’ve got a bad feeling that song just kept her in this thing.

And you can bet you’ll hear her do that one on the tour…

In case you’re wondering how I got that low of a score, I gave her a zero in song choice, a three in vocal ability, a three in stage presence and a four in personality (which was highly generous). Yes, I am indeed over her…

David A. Gets Cheesy

David Archuleta, “You Are the Voice”: 17
My word, that was cheesy! I thought it sounded like some kind of parade song, so I was totally with Simon about the animated creatures at the theme park. But who did Simon think picked out the song? David’s parents? Interesting…

And David, you probably just lost a million votes by showing your girlfriend on camera. I wouldn’t do that again…

Michael Rocks Us and Carly Tries to Win Me Over

Michael Johns, “We Will Rock You”/”We Are the Champions”: 20
Lucky Michael that he was born in a year with Queen. This was good. Yes, he struggled a little with those high notes in the last chorus, but I’m willing to forgive that. And kudos to him for being able to outsing the band. They don’t make it easy.

Carly Smithson, “Total Eclipse of the Heart”: 17
So, Carly actually did kind of fulfill my request. She did sing the Bonnie Tyler hit from the year she was born, it was just 1983 instead of 1984. But even with that, I had to give her a 3 in song choice—not because it wasn’t a good choice, but because she didn’t pick the most dramatic part of the song. She should’ve gotten to that final chorus sooner and I think she botched some of the lyrics. I’m totally with Simon on this one. I thought I would really like it and I just kept waiting and waiting for that big moment and it never came. Of course, maybe it would have come if someone would turn down the mics on those backup singers.

Brooke Takes a "Breath"

Okay, so as you can tell I didn’t get all the years right. Unfortunately the Idol website doesn’t list birthdates, so I could only go by the ages…

Brooke White, “Every Breath You Take”: 17
I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a contestant stop and start again. Kudos to her for not falling apart and for going on with the song. But I have to disagree slightly with Simon and Randy. I think her solo piano act is getting old. You know I’m not a fan of the band, but I really liked that ending.

Chikezie Does Luther...Again

Chikezie, “If Only For One Night”: 19
Why do they always attack him when he does Luther Vandross? I like it when he goes there, but he does risk being pigeon-holed. If he gets voted off, will he yell at Debra and Rickey who talked him into doing this one?

Jason Gets "Fragile" and Syesha Nails Another One

Jason Castro, “Fragile”: 18
Aren’t Jason’s video packages adorable? And yes, Jason, your eyes are still adorable, but I’m not sure about the tempo change on that song. I think I would’ve liked to have heard it the way Sting recorded it with that slow, melancholy sound.

Does that audience have to clap to everything?...

Syesha Mercado, “If I Were Your Woman”: 19
I told Tom, my friend from Sarasota, that I wanted to see Syesha do something a little funky, but this was a great choice (Stephanie Mills, by the way, in case you were wondering) and a great performance.

Ramiele Goes It "Alone"

Of course, the cast of “’Til Death” is in the audience. Get ready for some shameless promotion…

And what is that rather sheer top Paula is wearing? No wonder Simon just winked at her…

Let’s get to some performances…

Ramiele Malubay, “Alone”: 12
Leave it to Ramiele to take a rocking 80s classic and turn it into a boring, soulless ballad. This was a HORRIBLE choice and the backup singers totally overwhelmed her. They can play that sick card all they want, but she couldn’t have nailed that one well. But what was up with Simon sticking up for her? Is he gunning for Kristy Lee or Chikezie, maybe? Remember that Simon listens to the dress rehearsals so he knows what they sound like before they take the stage tonight…

Kudos to her, though, for not going with Whitney…

I'm here!

Well, thanks to the lovely and talented Denise, I am here after all.

But you may have to bear with me a little since I’m typing on one computer and watching the screen somewhere else. It’ll take a little getting used to…

I’ll be back in eight minutes…

Tonight's Show...

Okay, so I’m working on a backup plan to possibly be up-and-running tonight after all, but we’ll have to wait and see on that one…

In the meantime, I've been sending my request telepathically to Carly that she do “Holding Out for a Hero” tonight. I know I’ve had my problems with her, but that would make all of them go away…

In the case that I’m not able to blog live tonight, feel free to post any comments that can’t wait until morning on this page…

Technical Difficulties...

So, just as I was sitting down to post Amanda’s departing thoughts and lots of great updates on your favorite Idols past, my laptop decided to go on the fritz. So now, I am without a computer at my house…

Which unfortunately means no live blogging this week. In fact, you’ll have to wait until the next day for my opinions on this week’s shows.

Doesn’t my laptop know that it’s “Idol” season?! I mean, come on!

I’m hoping I’ll have this thing licked by the end of the week, so please just bear with me…

The Details on This Week's Theme

So what will this week’s theme be?

According to Amanda’s exit interview with reporters, it will be music from the year the contestants were born. She was going to do “On the Dark Side” from 1984…

So what years will the other contestants have to choose from? Here’s the list based on the ages in their Idol webpage bios:

Brooke White—1984
Carly Smithson—1984
Chikezie—1986
David Archuleta—1991
David Cook—1983
Jason Castro—1988
Kristy Lee Cook—1984
Michael Johns—1979
Ramiele Malubay—1988
Syesha Mercado—1987

Woo-hoo! A lot of 80s music, with the majority coming from a really great year—1984. But you know Kristy Lee will still screw it up…

Speaking of 1984, that was a pretty good year for my all-time fave, Hall and Oates, which Brooke lists as one of her musical influences. Wouldn’t it be cool to hear Brooke strip down “Out of Touch” or even better “Adult Education”? I say bring it on, but Kristy Lee had better stay away from both of those…

You just know that David Cook spent a long night on the Internet looking for an obscure cover to wow us with. Maybe there’s a rock version of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” out there somewhere…

And yes, I’m well aware that 1987 and 1988 were big years for Whitney Houston, so you just know that either Syesha or Ramiele, or both will pick her—even though we all know what a mistake that would be…

What do you think? What songs would you like to see them tackle (or not tackle) this week?...

Remember that Tuesday's show is only 90 minutes (Thank goodness!), but we're still stuck with an hour-long results show...

Did America Get It Right?

So, did America get it right? Honestly, they probably did. But I SO want Kristy Lee to go…

Now we know the 10 who will be touring this summer. And let’s be honest. Are any of them worth shelling out $50+ for? I’m not sure they are. Maybe David C., but I don’t know…

What I am psyched about is Dolly Parton as a mentor. She is such a hoot that you know she’s going to be great. And I really hope she does her cover of Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives me Crazy,” because that song ROCKS! And you know that Kristy Lee is hoping to last until she shows up.

Neil Diamond, however, scares me a little; and I’ve already told you my thoughts about a Broadway/Lord Webber week. And Mariah Carey week? Talk about trouble…

So what do you think? Did America get it right? Will you go see any of these contestants in concert if they come to town?

Post a comment and let’s get this discussion started…

And going home is...

9:52 We’re back. Let’s do this…Carly, Kristy and Amanda…Carly seems to be pumping them up…Carly…safe…She says, “You’re kidding me.” She is genuinely surprised. Why?...Kristy and Amanda…

9:53 Simon says America got it right for the second week in a row…Kristy…safe...Amanda chases Kristy off to the couch. Amanda flashes a giant smile to the audience…The other contestants console Kristy Lee…I texted my friend during the break that Amanda was going to go and Kristy would get to stay. Come on, America! It’s time for her to go…However, I’m guessing the people who put the tour together are relieved right now. They probably weren’t sure what they were going to do with Amanda…Goodbye video. That goodbye song just doesn’t work, does it?...

9:56 Amanda says that being #11 is more than she could’ve ever expected…Carly is crushed about her roommate…Amanda does “Back in the USSR”…Okay, she deserved to go, but I can’t believe that Kristy gets to tour. I guess the good news is that I’ll be saving about 50 bucks this year…

9:58 The other contestants, led by Carly, run out to hug Amanda…And we’re out…

The Bottom Three Revealed

9:43 We’re back…Idol Gives Back report…A video of Elliott and Fantasia in Angola to see where some of the money went…They hand out bed nets and hugs…Fantasia sings “Amazing Grace”…Elliott goes to the hospital and meets a baby they’ve named after him and it makes him cry. Apparently it’s a tradition that children are named after visitors. So I’m guessing if it was a girl, she would have been Fantasia. He gives the mother a bed net, still wiping his eyes. He tells the camera he’s a godfather…

9:47 Reminder that April 9th is the date for IGB with Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Dane Cook and more…

9:47 Lights down…Syesha comes out…Top 10…She’s very relieved…

9:48 Amanda and Chikezie both take the stage…Chikezie is nervous. Amanda doesn’t seem to care…Chikezie is safe…Amanda flashes a big smile…

9:48 Carly and Kristy Lee join Amanda on the stage…After the break…

Is it just me or does Amanda look like she wants to go home?

More stalling...

9:28 We’re back….Oh lord, it’s time to take viewer calls…She asks why Simon spends so much money on cars and none on clothes. Simon says that it’s a rude question. Simon says it’s because “unlike other people on the show” he doesn’t have an ego. Ryan says he’s being rude to Paula, but of course, Simon meant Ryan. I think Ryan looks good, Simon…

9:30 This caller wants to know if Simon would consider filming a sequel to his kiss with Paula from season two and he says yes. Simon says she’s a very good kisser. Ryan says they’ve got time but Simon says it will take lots of preparation…

9:32 This caller wants to know from Ramiele what the last song she downloaded on her iPod was. She says R Kelly’s “I’m a Flirt”…The next caller wants to know from Michael Johns if the experience has been everything he thought it would be. He says it’s been more than he thought it would be but says he “apparently peaked in Hollywood” and then Ryan rats out the segment is on tape by saying “Good luck to Michael tonight” and we already know that Michael is safe…

9:34 Ryan takes another crack about Kellie’s boob job by saying she’s “grown in so many ways since leaving us”…Kellie intro video recapping what she’s been up to…

9:35 Kellie emerges to do “Red High Heels”…Still don’t know why she’s doing this one and not her new single. Maybe because it was her first hit?...I think that actually looks like the judges in their place, so this may actually be live…

9:37 Kellie comes over to sing to Simon. He looks very uncomfortable, but tries to keep smiling for the camera…So, it’s obviously live…

9:39 Kellie high-fives the contestants…Ryan comments that Randy was checking her out. Randy laughs uncomfortably…

9:40 After the break…

Come on, America! Do the Right Thing...

9:19 We’re back…Behind the scenes of the Ford commercial shoot…It’s a 50s movie shoot…Michael Johns compares his performance to Susan Lucci. That’s funny…Amanda says she likes this one because it’s easy to do…The song is “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The Idols jump into the Fords to get away from a UFO, but then it’s revealed that David A. and Jason are holding the UFOs and David C. is directing. And yes, it was pretty cheesy…

9:22 Carly actually smiles and laughs at the commercial…David Cook comes out…He looks nervous…Ryan asks him about Simon saying he was smug and how he reacts to that. David answers, “I don’t.” Man, he learned his lesson…Kristy Lee Cook…Come on, America!...She says last night was her strongest performance. She’s probably right, but that doesn’t mean it was good…Yea! She’s in the bottom three…Come on, America. Do the right thing here…

9:24 Jason Castro…Top 10…Michael Johns tells him, “Let’s tour, baby”…Ramiele is really nervous…She’s safe…So does that mean Chikezie or Amanda as the third member of the bottom three?...Carly and Kristy Lee are in deep conversation, probably about the same thing…

9:25 After the break…

The Night's First Shocker

9:07 We’re back…Recap…Man, those people in the audience are annoying. Have they always been that bad or are they just encouraging that behavior because of the new set?...

9:11 Ryan points out the couch on the right and three of the urinal stools on the left for the bottom three. Ryan brings out Brooke White…Oh lord, we’re going to do this one at a time? Holy cow! Stupid writers’ strike! Bring back the half-hour results!...Brooke is in the top 10…

9:12 Carly Smithson walks out as Ryan shows Brooke which part of the couch she should sit on…AND SHE’S IN THE BOTTOM THREE?! WHAT?!...Randy and Paula say America got it wrong…I was so sure she was safe, I was just typing about Brooke and not even paying attention to what Ryan said…

9:14 David Archuleta…He’s going on the tour…Michael Johns…He defends his song choice…He’s safe…I told you he got enough sympathy votes…Carly is pretty upset, but she’s trying really hard to hide it. Could this be the backlash finally catching up to her…

9:15 After the break…

Mentors Revealed!

8:57 Sorry, I missed the intro because I was watching the end of the finale of “Top Chef” season one that I had never seen…

8:58 So who are the mentors?...Dolly Parton…Mariah Carey. Yikes!...Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber…Neil Diamond…Some heavy hitters, ladies and gentlemen. Nice!...But I’m guessing Sir Andrew means a Broadway night. Boo hiss!... Remember how bad that was in season four? Even Carrie Underwood botched it…

8:59 Songwriting competition plug…Ryan tells us that Jordin’s CD has now been certified gold. And yes, that is a disappointment. But she does have singles chart success, so that should count for something…I love how they’re trying to make us think “This Is My Now’ was some huge hit…

9:00 Medley time…David A. kicks it off…David C. has a beautiful higher range as he harmonizes with Jason…Sorry, I don’t know the name of this one. Something about “my guitar weeps.” Someone will have to help me out…Okay, girls’ time…Brooke and Ramiele were supposed to be singing together, but there was no sound coming out of Ramiele’s mouth. Has she gotten laryngitis or was there something wrong with her mike?...And the new director strikes again as the camera suddenly jerks from Kristy Lee…Okay, how did they jump up form the bleachers so quickly? That was a little crazy…Amanda is clearly not singing in the group numbers. What will they do with her if she makes the tour…That was a little pathetic…Again, the show should never do the same theme two weeks in a row…

9:04 Break…

Who Won Last Night's Ratings Battle?

So who won last night’s battle of “Idol” vs. “Dancing With the Stars”?

No contest. “Idol” crushed “Dancing” 26.8 million to 15.17 million.

By the way, during “Dancing” dress rehearsals, Ryan Seacrest came in and read Tom Bergeron’s lines from the teleprompter. Later Bergeron told “TV Guide” that he wished they could do that on the show with him faking laryngitis…

The minute-by-minute action starts in just a few…

So who's going home?

So maybe we don’t agree about each of the performances or even who should go home, but I think we can all agree on one thing. “Idol” should never do the same theme two weeks in a row again…

The contestants worked so hard to choose the perfect song in week one that any song they chose this week was going to be mediocre. The only two contestants that made better choices this week were Syesha and David A. Kristy Lee and Michael could also fall into that category, but it didn’t help them…

So, who is going home tomorrow? I want to say Kristy Lee Cook, but I tried that one last week. Tom from Sarasota told me that the key to Kristy Lee is that she’s “bea-u-ti-ful” and she did look good tonight. But I’ve got to believe she’ll at least make the bottom three. I think she’ll be joined by Amanda and Ramiele. I would have said Michael, but I think Ryan got him enough sympathy votes to stick around.

And if it comes down to Amanda, Ramiele and Kristy Lee, I’ve got to believe Kristy Lee will go.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to try and insure that happens by voting for Syesha several times.

Hey, she made me look smart. How can I not vote for her?

Oh, there are two other things I think we can agree on. One, the audience is completely annoying this year. And two, these two-hour shows are getting REALLY annoying. Thankfully, next week is only 90 minutes and then, we go back to an hour.

I never thought I’d be so happy to see “Hell’s Kitchen”…

Be sure to let me know what you think about tonight’s show by posting your comments…

We're Closing With This?

Ramiele Malubay, “I Should Have Known Better”: 17
That song was tonight’s closer? She sang all the notes right, but it was way too cute for me…

Chikezie Leaves Me Speechless...Again

Chikezie, “I’ve Just Seen a Face”: 15
What was that?! Is it a requirement now that we have a hoedown each week? And why would you play an instrument that you’ve never played before in front of 30 million people?

And did Simon just take a shot at Billy Ray Cyrus?

Syesha Proves Me Right

Syesha Mercado, “Yesterday”: 20
I’m going to need a moment to bask in my rightness. That was gorgeous—even if she did steal David H.’s arrangement with the acoustic guitar player seated next to her. And she looks gorgeous. Syesha is totally back!

I Love It When I'm Right

So when I talked yesterday to Tom, the reporter from Sarasota, I told him that since “Yesterday” was up for grabs since it was David H.’s song, that maybe Syesha should do it and turn it into a big power ballad.

And what song did Ryan just say she was doing? That’s right. “Yesterday.”

I love it when I’m right.

Let’s see how it goes…

Jason C. Goes Bilingual

Jason Castro, “Michelle”: 17
So, he sounded good and the French sounded even better than the English. But he is so uncomfortable without the guitar. You could see that he was thinking way too much during the song…

Carly Flies...

Carly Smithson, “Blackbird”: 18
What is up with all this love I’m showing Carly? I thought there were moments when she sounded like Cher (and that’s a compliment). But I thought her outfit and makeup looked bad and she was doing something weird with her eyes throughout. But her blackbird speech and her total humility will score her major points with the audience…

David C. Does Whitesnake Doing The Beatles

David Cook, “Daytripper”: 19
First of all, let me thank David for telling me whose version he was doing so I didn’t have to search it out (Whitesnake, if you missed it.). The only thing I didn’t like about the song was the backup singers. I would’ve nixed them. And notice that he didn’t take issue with Simon. He’s learned his lesson there. And believe it or not, I liked the vocoder...

Will the "Sun" Set on Brooke?

Brooke White, “Here Comes the Sun”: 16
It was just a little too giddy for me. I think playing the guitar would’ve helped her. But I love her personality, especially when she told the audience that it was okay that Simon was trashing her. She’ll be fine…

Michael Johns Sings (Sorry, that's all I could come up with for him)

Michael Johns, “A Day in the Life”: 15
It’s no wonder that Madonna dropped his band. This guy has zippo charisma. And that dizzying camerawork didn’t really help matters. And why does he always drop the microphone before the note is over? Of course the one time he didn’t, I wish he had. But he’s probably safe anyway, thanks to Ryan pointing out his reason for singing the song…

And I noticed that David was wearing an ear monitor. Maybe the close audience was drowning out the monitors a little too much? Maybe Michael should have worn one too. It would’ve at least helped Paula make excuses for him…

The "wallpaper" and the "master class"

Could we stop pushing Kristy Lee down our throats, please?!

Kristy Lee Cook, “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”: 14
They can boo all they want, but Simon is exactly right. His description of her as “musical wallpaper” is spot-on. But not only was that song boring and safe, it was also off-key for most of it…

David Archuleta, “The Long and Winding Road”: 19
No big surprise. David is back. He tried to take the judges’ advice and go peppier last week and it failed. This week, he went back to his moneymaker—the ballad. And even Simon had to admit that as he called it a “master class”…

Amanda Goes Back to the "U.S.S.R."

Okay, stop it with the “back by popular demand” crap. We’re not buying it. And apparently, they’re not buying it either since they’re trying to tell us last week was Lennon-McCartney and this week is The Beatles. So, I’m confused. Those songs last week weren’t Beatles songs?...

Come on…

And don’t you love all of the stalling so they can postpone the performances as much as possible, thus trying to keep people from turning to “Dancing With the Stars”?

Finally, the performances begin…

And have I said how hot I think Ryan looks tonight? Sorry, I know I have a problem…

Amanda Overmyer, “Back in the U.S.S.R.”: 15
Allow me to declare Amanda tonight’s first victim of the backup singers. I’m not sure if she was as off-key as they made her sound. However, you can’t blame them for that rough beginning. It was a good song choice, though, but I agree with Simon that it’s a little too predictable. And she might want to watch the attitude. I’m starting to wonder why she’s even here…

Oh, lord. Kristy Lee Cook is next. I’m nauseous already…

Tonight's Real Battle...

On tonight’s show, the top 11 battle for a spot on this year’s tour as a member of the top 10.

But the real battle tonight is between “Idol” and “Dancing With the Stars.”

“Stars” moved to 9 p.m. Tuesdays to avoid “Idol,” which usually airs from 8-9 p.m. But thanks to the writers’ strike, “Idol” is doing two-hour episodes, which will pit the two shows against each other for an hour tonight.

But it’s not only ratings the shows will be battling for. Remember that unless things have changed since last season, the shows tape in adjoining studios which share dressing rooms.

That could make things very interesting…

Back in a few…

Danny Sails Away With Rosie

Danny Noriega accepted Rosie O’Donnell’s offer and joined her on her R Family cruise over the weekend.

Rosie made the announcement via a video post on her blog entitled “Bon Voyage.” The video shows Rosie, Ant, and Ross the Intern meeting up with Danny before the ship departs.

You can see the video here.

Idol Camp Deadline Tonight

If you were planning to enroll your child in Idol Camp, you better get to typing…

The deadline for applying is today (March 18th). However, not everyone who applies will be accepted AND tuition is $2995 for 14 days, with five different sessions to choose from.

The camp, which features Idols and industry professionals teaching “special master classes” plus traditional camp activities, is open to kids ages 10-15. It’s located in the San Bernadino Mountains in California.

To apply, visit the Idol website…

Another Songwriting Competition?

You’d think they would have learned their lesson…

“Idol” is doing yet another songwriting competition this year to determine the winner’s single.

I think we were all hoping that after the disaster that was “This Is My Now” that they would just go out and find some decent songwriters to write something.

The deadline for submissions is March 31st and this year there’s a $10 entry fee.

You can get more details here…

Blake and Jordin Get Their “Now” on DVD

Do we really need to relive Blake botching that horrid single, “This Is My Now”?

Apparently, someone thinks so…

“American Idol Season 6 Finale Performance Show: The Top 2” will hit stores May 13th, the week before this season’s finale. The two DVD-set will contain the 90-minute finale performance show with all three of Blake and Jordin’s performances and Daughtry doing “Home;” Jordin’s winning moment; bloopers, featurettes on Jordin and Blake; and “How To Audition for American Idol Guide.”

Why they are only putting the finale on DVD, I have no idea. I really wish they would do another best of DVD with all of the great performances from seasons five and six—even if it’s only another AT&T promo DVD…

Kellie Kicks Up Her “Heels” on “Idol”

Kellie Pickler will be this week’s returning Idol on Wednesday’s results show.

She’ll sing her hit “Red High Heels.” I’m not sure why she’s not singing her new single, “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.” Maybe they think “Heels” will make a better performance…

I’m guessing all of these return performances are part of the “Where Are They Now?” segments that the producers promised us at the beginning of the year…

Simon’s “Big Give”

Let’s face it. Despite all his bravado, Simon Cowell is just a nice guy…

Yesterday on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Simon gave the family of a 3-year-old girl with cancer $162,000 to pay off their mortgage.

Simon said he credited Oprah for teaching him the benefits of a good deed. “I never knew that doing good could feel so good”…

Carrie and Keith Cover a Classic

While snooping around the Internet, I found this from the Carrie Underwood-Keith Urban concert tour…

The two do a duet of the Stevie Nicks-Tom Petty classic, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and it’s pretty good.

You can check it out here.

I just wish Carrie would learn that it’s okay to move…

Carrie’s “Idol” Generosity

Speaking of Carrie Underwood, Phil Stacey talks about her generosity toward last year’s Idols in this week’s installment of his diary for “USA Today.”

Phil writes that when the contestants were narrowed to the final 10, they each received a gift from Carrie—a note of congratulations and a silver necklace from Tiffany’s. The necklace had a “dog-tag-looking” pendant with each contestant’s name on one side and “love, CU” on the other.

You’ve got to respect someone who remembers where they came from…

And no, that was not a swipe at Kelly Clarkson. Settle down, kids…

Carrie Gets a Grand Ole Invitation

Carrie Underwood will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry May 10th.

She was extended the invitation Saturday at the Opry by Randy Travis after Carrie performed his song, “I Told U So.”

Afterward, Carrie said “I felt like I just won something amazing all over again”...

The New King of All Media

I can hear Howard Stern throwing a fit already…

In their issue spotlighting 2008 mavericks—“big thinkers shaping your life”—“Details” magazine calls Ryan Seacrest the “King of All Media.”

I can’t say I disagree…

In the article Ryan calls himself a “content provider” instead of a personality and he talks about his detailed daily schedule planned out to the minute.

And no, that schedule does not include dating, although Ryan admits he was in a relationship recently (He does not name her.). “I completely fell into a relationship, and I didn’t want to. I remember having conversations like ‘This is so weird for me, because I’m not supposed to be with anyone until I’ve achieved what I want to achieve.’”

Ryan, I could be there for you when that day comes…

K-Lo Gets Fierce on the Idol Stage

Kimberley Locke, who finished third in season two, will return to the “Idol” stage Wednesday, March 26th.

K-Lo will perform her new single, “Fall,” a cover of Clay Walker’s country hit, which has already gotten rave reviews from “Billboard.”

But here’s the best part. Her outfit for the performance will be designed by “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano.

How fierce is that?

For those of you who think Kimberley has been laying low in the music world since “Idol,” that is far from the case. Although sales for her sophomore CD, “Based On a True Story,” have been weak, the album has produced two top 10 Adult Contemporary hits, bringing her total to seven since September 2004. Recently, “Billboard” called her the AC format’s “consummate modern-day heroine”…

Randy CD Review: Should You Join the "Club"?

Dictionary.com defines club as a group of persons organized for a social, literary, athletic, political, or other purpose.

But with Randy Jackson’s Music Club, the only purpose seems to be because Randy said so. Because the music has no defining tie other then Randy, which produces a real hodgepodge of stuff—and not all good stuff…

The CD kicks off with the high energy “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow” with Paula Abdul. I’ve already told you many times that I love this song so it gets the CD off to a great start. But if you’re looking for the album to sustain that momentum, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

The next track, “Just Walk On By” does follow nicely as Joss Stone gets nice and funky with a great bass line. Trisha Covington, Keke Wyatt and Kiley Dean take the next one, “What Am I So Afraid Of,” a lightweight R&B track that’s been done a million times before, but it’s stil