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Hey everyone. I’m doing a recap today instead of a live blog. I can’t wait to hear what you all thought!
Tonight, American Idol was in Charleston, South Carolina and it did not go as well as the previous auditions. The episode opened with a stadium full of people singing "Let’s Get it Started."
Oliver Highman was slated to be the first audition but, after his pregnant wife called to say that her water broke, he rushed off to take her to the hospital. Not to worry, though. He got to audition in the end (see below).
More after the jump!
Raysharde Henderson was first and sported a cute little afro. He said that people tend to call him the "Black Clay Aiken." He sang "I Can’t Make You Love Me" and the judges said he was too over-the-top. Simon said that he was reminded of Clay Aiken (could not be true – I don’t think he is like Clay in any way!). Simon also said he sang like he was in a 1970s cruise ship cabaret show.
Deanna Prevatte is a waitress from Albermarle (like Kellie Pickler!) and says that she loves Kellie and her song "Red High Heels." Some of what she said barely made sense and she told the judges that the all-you-can eat customers are the worst – they keep making her run back for food and barely leave any tips. She sang "Fancy" and even got down on the floor but Simon said it was an angry performance and referred to her as a "little tiger." None of the judges said "yes" to her audition.
Crystal Ortiz and Randy Stark met on the Idol message boards and they sang, what seemed to be, an original song titled "She’s More." It was a mess, really but it was totally sweet. They were all over each other! Simon described the audition as "complete torture" and advised them to "go check in to a hotel." Pretty funny…
Michelle and Jeffery Lampkin were an energetic pair of siblings and were, actually, pretty entertaining. They sang "I Am You’re Angel" and the judges were impressed for the most part. Simon liked Jeffery more than Michelle (just like he did with Sanjaya and Shyamali Malakar!!!). Randy said they were all in tune (uh, no they weren’t but they were good). In the end, Randy said "no" to Michelle but Paula and Simon said "yes" to both. They are through but Simon told Jeffery that he has 3 months to get his sister in shape for the competition…
There was a montage of a bunch of people butching Carrie Underwood’s "Before He Cheats." Ouch.
Amy Catherine Flynn is a 16-year-old and is the leader of her dance group and an advocate for STARS (students teaching and respecting sexuality). She even gave the judges a little lecture about abstinence. She sang "Reflection" and Simon said that "a lot of people are going to find her annoying" but she got a "yes" from all three judges. It should be interesting having two attractive 16-year-olds in the group (Amy and yesterday’s David Archuleta!).
London Weidberg put music on hold to care for her sick father who died of cancer three years ago. She works as a full-time musician and sang "Good Morning Heartache" and Randy said it wasn’t the best audition but Simon disagreed (although he didn’t find her unique). She was put through to the next round!
Lyndsey Goodman is a pilot for the US Air Force and I had high hopes for her. She sang "Black Velvet" and I didn’t actually think it was that bad but she was extremely nervous and it showed. All of the judges said "no."
Aretha Codner was named after the great soul singer, Aretha Franklin. She sang "I Have Nothing" and I thought it started off well but then she changed keys. This could have just been nerves but she was rejected by the judges. Too bad.
Joshua Boson sang "And I Am Telling You" and I think it was the worst audition all season (so far). He seemed shocked when the judges said he couldn’t sing and said that "this show is fake and rigged" (oh no he didn’t!!!!! WOW!). He then went out into the waiting area and told Ryan and his family that the judges said bad things about South Carolina!
Tara Smith sang "Unwritten" (poorly) and was followed by some more bad auditions.
Finally, Oliver Highman got to audition. He brought his wife and brand-new, less than a day old baby, Emma Grace, with him to the auditions. He sang "Get Here" and his vibrato and falsetto were annoying, I can say that much. I liked him, though. Too bad 
Simon said he was corny and old-fashioned. When he brought baby Emma in, Simon said "I feel like this is my baby." Hilarious.
23 contestants were put through – next week begins in Omaha!
really unimpressed with tonight’s episode. a bunch of people werent as bad as the judges made them out to be, and then some people (coughabstinancespeachgirlcough) we just plain annoying.