American Idol 2018 Recap – Auditions 3 Live Blog (VIDEOS)

We’ve got a TON of Spoiler posts linked on the left side bar. Gonna link a few below. NO SPOILER DISCUSSION ON THE LIVE BLOG. Keep spoiler chatter confined to spoilers posts’ comment sections. Giving results away during the live blog will result in an instant banning. Thank you for your cooperation.

American Idol 2018 Spoilers – Top 14 Contestant List
American Idol 2018 Spoilers – Top 24 Contestant List

First up tonight – SAVANNAH GEORGIA.  The judges sing “Easy” as they travel in the car. “Easy like Savannah morning, Luke and Lionel croon.

Crystal Alicia  – 20 – Winter Haven FL – Lay Me Down by Sam Smith – She’s performed a ton of karaoke, but nothing else! She’s afraid to step out in front of an audience, because she used to get bullied about her weight. People told her over and over she wasn’t good enough. She self-harmed. The singer is tearful describing her past. Her boyfriend was so supportive. It helped. Confronted with Luke Bryan, she admits a little crush. She has a pretty tone. For a karaoke warrior, she’s decent. Of course, somebody as inexperienced as she is could fold under pressure. How would she handle Hollywood aka “hell week.”  Kelly loves her personality–relatable and down to earth. “You’ve got something very special…I think you’re a little star.” She’d follow her on Instagram. Lionel calls her “refreshing.” The boyfriend comes in. The judges warn they may need to be long distance for a bit…because she’s going to Hollywood! 3 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLNY-CX0RpM

Lionel takes a spill. Ooops. Katy and Lionel play jokes on him, including sneaking a whoopie cushion on to his seat. “I had no idea this job entailed baby sitting,” Lionel grumbles.

Kristyn Harris – 23 – McKinney TX – I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart –  She didn’t know music was in her future until middle school She trains horses for trick riding as a day job. Kristyn’s parents teach Ryan how to yodel. It’s pathetic. Inside, the singer teaches Katy how to milk a cow using a whoopie cushion as a prop. Luke knows all about “udder aid” which is a lotion for milkers. OK then. Her performance includes yodeling which gets the judges out of their seats. Luke and Katy “dosey doe.” Lionel joins in.  Kristyn’s singing is just OK. But that yodeling is pretty impressive. Luke calls her a “one woman show.” Luke thinks she’s a little green. Katy calls her “unique” but doesn’t think it’s “American Idol stuff.” She says no. Lionel is on the fence. She comes out with her ticket! Lionel says yes, along with Luke. One of the few split votes so far. 2 yeses (Lionel, Luke) 1 no (Katy).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY8hjPlYnSs

Jonny Brenns – 18 – St. Augustine FL – Blue Jeans (Original) – His dad is Dutch and he’s very very tall-6 foot 5. Standing next to Seacrest. Whoa. His parents have no idea he’s auditioning. His songwriting skills are not impressive. The song is a ballad, but doesn’t seem to go anywhere. He could benefit from experienced co-writers. Katy compares him to Chet Baker–physically. “He’s good looking.” Luke likes his smooth voice. He wonders if he’s a Bublé fan? Yes he is. Luke asks him to sing a snip of “Home.” The judges ask him to give more. “Dig in,” Luke demonstrates. This is very good advice. Jonny has a good tone, but his delivery is laconic to the point of boring. Lionel says “no” for right now. He’s correct.  Katy and Luke thinks he’s too appealing to pass up, even if he needs a lot of work. They both say yes. Katy calls his parents. Mom is like THIS IS NOT KATY PERRY. Lionel sings a little to convince her. “HELLO DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM.” Har har. – 2 yeses (Katy, Luke) 1 no (Lionel).

We’re BACK in Los Angeles.

Ricky Manning – 22 – Los Angeles – LA is Lonely (Original Song) – Does that name sound familiar? IT SHOULD. Ricky Manning went all the way to the Playoffs, The Voice season 7. He was Team Gwen. Katy was so moved by the song. She heard her own story in his words. Ricky has a real pretty voice. And the song is solid. Lionel calls him “a songwriter.” Luke is a big time yes.

Ricky immediately put up an Official Music Video for LA is Lonely. Smart.

Next, is a montage of terrible, no good original songs. One song had to be bleeped a lot. Another gal couldn’t keep the beat. Tragic. “YOU’VE GONE INSANE WHERE IS MY BRAIN” sings another. Bad.

Effie Passaro -26 – Modesto CA – Troubled Mind (ORIGINAL) – She just moved to LA. She’s a property manager. Man, she’s got a STRONG VOICE. She could probably dial it back a little, though. The top notes are LOUD. But the original song has a good hook. Additionally, she accompanies herself on piano, which is a plus. The judges give her a standing ovation at the end. Effie explains that she grew up studying opera. The songwriting came later.  Lionel calls her a “patriot missile.” Katy says the panel has been looking for her voice. – 3 yeses.

Back in Savannah

Tyler “Cougar” Gordon – 25 – Athens IL – Tyler can’t wait to meet the judges. He claims to have a 6 octave range. He wants to start a new era of rock and  heavy metal. I SMELL A JOKE AUDITION. Yep. He’s terrible.  Lionel checks his throat to make sure that sound is for real. When filling out the audition forms, Tyler made up his stage name on the spot. Katy refers to herself as a “cougar” and calls him a cool guy, but she still says no. – 3 Nos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvSNIKD4Ju4

Johnny White – 18 – Hickory NC – Man’s Man’s Man’s World by James Brown -He’s the last singer of the day. Adopted at 7 years old, he had a difficult upgring. His mother was on drugs, his dad in jail. He ended up in shelters and foster care. Eventually, he was adopted. But that was hard too. Music was his therapy. His vocal coach, Ms Finley, changed his life. He tears up talking about her. Well, his voice is loud and strong. But his dial is fixed on 11 through the entire song. There are no dynamics or phrasing here. That vocal teacher has more work to do. Lionel asks for a second song, suggesting Johnny “dial it back.” He stands behind him, giving him instruction as he sings. “Everytime you feel like you want to explode…wait.” Lionel says we need a little foreplay first. OK THEN. Despite being underdeveloped, Johnny gets 3 yeses. Katy says he’s Top 10 material. I wish she’d quit saying that to hopefuls. Particularly in this case, it’s not at all true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJCvib2GcHI

Caleb Lee Hutchison – 18 – Dallas GA – If It Hadn’t Been For Love by the SteelDrivers  – He had to play a show the night before he auditioned in Savannah. His parents are super supportive!  His dad is his “No 1 Roadie.” Ohh boy. Stage parents. Caleb says seriously that he’s his dad’s retirement plan. Also, the parents aren’t musical, but love listening. He does a Luke Bryan impression that cracks up the panel.  I’m getting total Scotty McCreery vibes off of Caleb. He’s got a similar deep, mature voice. And he sounds and carries himself like a pro. Katy likes his fast vibrato and vocal texture, and notes his emotional maturity as well. Luke likes what he hears, but advises him not to overdo the fast vibrato. 3 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ISoMJkiu60

Shannon  O’Hara – 17 – Mooresville NC – When We Were Young by Adele – Lots of cows and farms in her hometown. She loves it! She nannys a 9 month old, and she loves that too. Her dad lost his job about 6 months ago, and now she’s got to pitch in financially. Accompanying herself on piano, she sounds so much like Adele. Too much. Her instrument is gorgeous, but at 17 she still needs to develop her own style. Lionel thinks she can be a major threat. She delivered passion, he says. She sings at church and youth group. Katy calls her voice exceptional and her personality strong minded. “I think she’s a songbird,” Luke declares. 3 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75RfxcqO89s

Season one runner-up Justin Guarini is this week’s “American Idol Icon” Check it out here.

Next, a montage featuring Lionel telling ALL THE STORIES.

Amelia Hammer Harris – 26 – Gimme Shelter by Rolling Stones – Her father wrote a ton of hits, including “Great Balls of Fire” and “Yakkety Yak.” Jack Hammer, Amelia met him for the first time at age 16. That first reunion was   “really weird” because she was angry at the time. It took Amelia years to finally forgive her dad for leaving.  As he grew sick with dementia in his 90’s, father and daughter grew closer. “I’m just carrying on the legacy,” Amelia says of her own career.  Performing with a soulful rock tinged vocal, the singer has a great sense of style. Her phrasing is very original. She definitely twists the song into something her own. Lionel calls her voice “sultry.” Katy wonders why she hasn’t made it yet! “You have a presence and style.” AGAIN WITH CALLING A MERE HOPEFUL TOP 10 MATERIAL. Quit that, Katy. Leave the hyperbole for that other show. Lionel wants to see what the heck Amelia is going to do next. – 3 yeses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfqms78Hh4I

In a montage featuring hopefuls bearing gifts, Luke asks a singer who his musical inspiration is.  He responds apologetically, “Taylor Swift.” And Katy says, “I love her…as a songwriter as well.”  As a songwriter. Heh. Notably, no Taylor Swift songs have been sung on American Idol so far this season. I wonder if Taylor is refusing to clear them? Or perhaps, Idol would rather not.

Ryan Zamo – 28 – Pasadena CA –  Gravity by Sara Bareilles – He comes bearing gifts. He sells organic skin care products. And he probably should stick to his day job. What is he even doing here? The song is completely unrecognizable.  “That’s the worst rendition I’ve ever heard,” says Katy after he leaves the room.  Ryan says we haven’t heard the last of him, with a thick layer of irony. Hm. I think he auditioned as a way to pimp his skin care company. – 3 Nos

Julian & Milo Sposato – 17 –  Malibu CA – TWINS – Run Away Baby by Bruno Mars – Ryan does a “twins intuition” test with the brothers. And they pass.  American Idol has always loved their twins. Pops is there to play guitar.  They intro themselves on horns.  Julian is the better singer. We’ll see who outlasts who. Because you KNOW they won’t be eliminated at the same time. Like I said. Idol loves their twins–as a vehicle for DRAMA.  Katy stops them. “That was dope.” She calls them serious, and fun. Lionel would love to pass both of them to Hollywood. 3 yeses for both. UPDATE: “Pops” is Frankie Blue who has had a long career in the music business as a remixer and composer/producer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYNNT1WIhwM

Les Greene – 27 – Baltimore MD –  A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke – When his parents split, his mother moved the family from the USA to Guyana where she is from. They lived in a tent–it was hard times.  The performance is shouty in spots. Dial it back dude–you’re going to hurt yourself. When he does sing softer–a pretty tone comes through. Les has potential, but he needs some coaching. Luke compares his to a Ferrari. “You’re raw, you’re rugged, you’re full speed ahead.” Lionel likes the rawness, but feels he needs to tone it down a little. Katy wonders if he ever loses his voice.  Yes, the strain on those high/big notes sounds painful.  “Let’s polish you up a bit,” Luke suggests. 3 yeses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z60-JlcJlww

Maddie Zahm – 19 – Boise Idaho – New Rules by Dua Lipa – She attends the audition with her family and “best friend,” her special needs student, Marcus. She was very active in high school, but gained 100 pounds due to a hormonal imbalance. After the weight gain, she crawled into a shell. Marcus helped her climb out of it. She’s auditioning for both of them today.  Maddie’s got a pleasnt tone and knows how to phrase a song. She sounds effortless.  I wasn’t expecting that. Marcus joins her on the seal. They perform Katy’s “Firework” together. He sings the “boom boom booms.” Marcus seems a little overwhelmed, understandably. Luke feels she’s a little timid sometimes. but sees so much potential. 3 yeses. Luke snaps a selfie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAKGskPyo_4