The last stop for the American Idol auditions was Denver.   Let’s start with the end of the show and Bikini Boy.  We heard him sing…it wasn’t very good.  I emailed Ty Hemmerling to find out why he did this.  He works for a radio station in Denver, so this may have just been a radio stunt.  Hopefully, he’ll respond. 

************UPDATE:  I heard back from Ty, via Facebook.  Here’s his one line response: “just trying to make it entertaining pretty much, and no i dont think im that good of a singer”.  Maybe not, Ty, but you’re now part of American Idol history and will forever be known as  Bikini Boy! *****************

Back to the beginning of the night with Mark Libriola.  He was on the run with his mother for quite a few years before his father caught up with him.  I wasn’t expecting much from him but he sorta blew me away.  He sang, “Tempted” by Squeeze.  He may have the pipes to go pretty deep… maybe Top 36?

I think the night was highlighted by two singers….Haeley Vaugn and Casey James.  Both threats to go deep in the competition.

Haeley Vaugn stood out to the judges because, as being a black girl, she did not sing Mary J. Blige or a Motown Song.  Instead, she sang country and she did it well.  What amazes me is that she is only 16 years old.  Another one of those young’ns showing everyone up.

The other stand out, Casey James, sang John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”.  While the voice was fairly monotone in this performance, I like his voice.   Here’s what made the audition stand out…the women judges loved him, asking him to unbutton his shirt and Randy, kiddingly, told him to take it off.  Casey’s got a story to back up his singing (and looks).  He was in a bad motorcycle accident when he was 21, and had multiple fractures to his hands/wrist.  The doctors told him that he’d never play the guitar again.  He does play the guitar now, but probably with some pain.  He’s got the look, and I think he’s got enough of a voice to go far in Hollywood. 

Tonight’s American Idol is a recap of what we’ve seen so far and next week Hollywood week begins….finally.

You can watch American Idol, Season 9 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning at 8pm.  The Rhode Show will recap it every morning, and of course I’ll write about it right here.

Enjoy!