First, let’s go to the real reason for the show and rate the contestants we actually saw get Tickets to Ride to Hollywood…

–
Brian Rittenberry, Jasper, Ga, 27 – interesting voice, wife tells him to go sing in the basement (good for her), she had stage 4 cancer that is now in remission (did the backstory get him this
opportunity?), he might make one more cut and then it’s back to Jasper…

–  Jimmy Smith, Waynesboro, Tenn., 25 – country (what else did you expect from Charlotte?), auditioned on-line via a twitter notice (from a tweet to an Idol?), he gets 4 yes votes … he will make a quick trip to Hollywood and back to Tennessee…

–   Isabelle Gonzalez, Alphareta, Ga., 16 – nominated by an aunt, Randy came to her school to surprise her with the invite to appear, kept waiting for her to belt out “Tomorrow” and switch into an Annie outfit…her journey to Hollywood might last awhile, but unless she matures
quickly she won’t make it to Vegas rounds…

–  Tashia Bethea, Concord, N.C. – lead singer in a rock band, does “Folsom Prison Blues”, wanted her to be better than she was and how she made it through is beyond Idol Chatter…she will be back singing in the band very, very soon…

–    Summer Cunningham, 20 – her personal label is “country soul”, she does “Lean On Me” well…she will make it through at least one more round…

–  Brandy Hamilton, 25 – judges went way, way overboard in their praise for her, on the way out the door she said softly, “Please don’t fight, it makes me sad”, more on that comment later … quick round-trip to Hollywood for Ms. Hamilton…

–  Ashley Smith, 22, Charlotte – sings “Cowboy Casanova” and does it well, Mariah calls her “effervescent”, Nicki nicknames her Blondie (real original, huh?)… might make it through one more round…

–  Janelle Arthur, Tennessee – singing since she won a part as Dolly at a theme park, met Ms. Parton once (OK, so what), unanimous acclaim from the judges … she will be back home soon.

–   Rodney Barber, self-proclaimed Voice of Charlotte – sings on the street for money (much like Crystal Bowersox did in Chicago), and doesn’t sing well (although the panel sent him off to Hollywood)…this is where a backstory is forced to be a positive and it shouldn’t be, enjoy your stay in Hollywood, Rodney…

–  Candice Glover, 22, South Carolina – Made it to Vegas round a year ago, huge voice (but we have heard our share of screamers in this competition), gets a standing “O” from the judges (why?)…just not fond of the style but because of her history give her two or three more rounds…

–  Ja’Bria Barber, Clover, S.C. – she likes to go frog giggin’, has a personality to match the voice… here is your surprise Top 10 finisher from Charlotte…

–  Sereta Guinn, 26, Charlotte – Obligatory, tear-jerking backstory finale of the evening, boyfriend was in a car accident and in a coma for two days, she brings her daughter with her, of course she gets a pass to Hollywood…she will be home soon also.

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37 make it to Hollywood, Thursday night we are off to Baton Rouge, La.

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P.S. Idol Chatter don’t even get into the alleged catfight between MC and NM…(Brandy, the fighting not only makes me sad, it makes me sick to my stomach)…totally over it, totally over NM – nicknames are useless, not funny and unoriginal; off-and-on British accent phony, comments usually mundane or off-base, adds nothing to the show other than bringing it
down…