American Idol Recap: Savannah on Fire!
American Idol returned on Wednesday for Season 11 with auditions in Savannah, Georgia where a new crop of Idol hopefuls were on fire with talent.
When American Idol hit the airwaves on Wednesday night, judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were in Savannah, Georgia for the first round of Season 11 auditions. As it turned out, Savannah was on fire with talent since 42 Idol hopefuls were put through to Hollywood with golden tickets.
And with that many singers from one place going to Hollywood, there’s a good chance the next American Idol could be from Savannah.
At first, though, the return of American Idol looked to follow The X Factor with young singer, David “Mr. Steal Your Girl” Leathers, Jr.. Although David Leathers Jr. told the judges he was 17, Leathers looked and acted a lot like 14-year old Astro from The X Factor. That is, however, until he performed.
Amazingly, Leathers Jr. sounded just like a young Michael Jackson. When the judges asked him to sing some young Michael, Leathers hit them with “Never Can Say Goodbye” to immediately earn a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Cue the vocally challenged! Bad auditions and heartbreak followed until …
15-year old Shannon Magrane hit the stage next, daughter of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Karl Magrane who joined his daughter in the audition room with his wife and extended posse. Although Steven Tyler told Magrane that his daughter was hot, humid and happening like Savannah, Shannon nailed her song to head to Hollywood.
More bad auditions. No William Hung or Pants On The Ground moments. Only tears, anguish and anger until …
Amy Brumfield, who lives in a tent in the woods with her boyfriend, wowed the judges with her gravelly, rustic voice to earn a golden ticket. Yes, that’s right, tent in the woods. Should Brumfield go far in the American Idol competition, there’s a good chance she’ll be the underdog we all root for this season. I mean, seriously. How great of a story is that? From the Savannah woods to American Idol winner… the script may already be written for Amy.
Cue Ryan Seacrest look-a-like Shaun Kraisman who failed to get a golden ticket with his singing voice but will most definitely have a career in TV if he sticks to the Seacrest shtick.
Closing out the night on a high was 20-year old pawn shop worker Phillip Phillips, Jr. who ended the American Idol night the same way it started, with Michael Jackson. Although Phillips Jr. hit the judges with Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”, it was his acoustic version of “Thriller” that made an even bigger impact.
Now that Season 11 of American Idol is underway, what did you think of the talent?
