This week the contestants had to choose from musicians from the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Gwen Stefani was brought in to style the contestants with her L.A.M.B collection.  Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas was there to coach the contestants.

Jacob Lusk - “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson.  Dressed head to toe in white, he looked nice but I didn’t care for his version of this great song.  No one will ever sing it as well as Michael.  Jacob added some hip thrust and swinging hips.  I really don’t care for this guy.  Steven said that it was beautiful and well done.  Jennifer said it was perfect on every emotional level.  Randy was happy that he chose a song that morally fit with him better than what was chosen for him, which was “Let’s Get it On.”

Haley Reinhart – “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin.  From the beginning, the judges could hear some Janis Joplin in her voice so she finally gave it to them.  She has a great growl to her voice but sometime it seems she overdoes it a little.  She did a great job tonight but I wish she had left some of that growl out so that we could hear her voice.  She worked the crowd well and was all over the stage, easy to tell that she was having with the fun but there was no real emotion in her.  Jennifer said that she showed everyone that she is a real contender.  Randy thought that they Haley that they had original seen and fell in love with was bad.  Steven couldn’t find anything wrong with it, she nailed it.

Casey Abrams – “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.  This was an excellent song for him to chose.  His voice is well suited for Creedence Clearwater.  His vocals were accompanied by him playing a stand-up bass.  Randy felt that it he made CCR proud and that he made playing the bass cool.  He was very excited that he put it in a pop a song, it was revolutionary.  Steven called him a true musician, he bring something different every time he comes on.  Jennifer said that she would pay to be front row every time he plays.

Lauren Alaina – “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin.  She combined R&B with country when she pulled this one out.  She did a great job, very controlled.  She also sounded sexy, with just the right amount of growl and rough notes mixed with soft tones.  Steven said that she’s grown up and he loves her voice.  Jennifer called her amazing. Randy said that she picked one of the most difficult songs but she did a good job.  Big props to her for that!

James Durbin - “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by George Harrison of the Beatles.  This is quite a change from his usual hard rock.  He wanted to take a risk, and I loved him for it!  It was great to hear that he can sing ballads as well as scream out some rock.  He still managed to bring his high notes into the song and held it for a good amount of time.  He appeared to begin to cry at the end of the song, maybe to prove that the feeling was there.  Jennifer said that it was special to watch and it was a great choice for him.  Randy loved seeing the true emotional side of James.  He loved that he could feel him connect with the notes and taking chances like that are good for artists.  Steven said it was great to see that not only did his guitar gently weep but he did, too.  James was asked what he was thinking about while he sang this song and he replied, his family.

Scotty McCreery – “That’s Alright Mama” by Elvis.  He made it into a country, slightly rock song.  He did a lot of pointing during his performance as he walked all over the stage and strangely held the microphone sideways to his mouth.  He did some weird eyes looks and even weirder hips shaking.  After sing song, some girls ran onto the stage and hugged him like crazed fans.  Randy said that he’s not a one trick pony.  Scotty’s in-it-to-win-it.  Steven felt that he brought the music back into play again.  Jennifer called him fun and asked if had been watching rap videos because she could feel a little of that flavor in there.

Pia Toscano – “River Deep, Mountain High” by Tina Turner.  Amazing!  She’s gorgeous and tonight she showed that she is more than just a ballad singer.  Her voice is so powerful and she connects well to the audience.  There’s absolutely nothing bad to say about her performance.  All you can say is WOW!  Steven called her a murderer because she killed it.  Jennifer said it was amazing and she is really, really special up there.  Spectacular.  Randy felt that she showed what he already knew, that she could deliver on an up tempo note.  Christian Slater’s daughter gave her two thumbs up, they were both in the audience tonight.

Stefano Langone – “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge.  He may be a good looking guy but I think that he is going to get eating up in this competition because he is just not up there with the rest of them.  Don’t get me wrong, he can sing, just not as well as the others.  He did connect with his audience with his eye contact tonight which is an improvement for him.  Jennifer said that she knew that he had it in him, it was beautiful.  She felt that it had something else, another layer, like he was singing to someone or about someone.  It was magical.  Randy felt that it felt a little jerky, he liked it but he wasn’t jumping up and down.  Steven disagreed with Randy (as did Jennifer).  He felt that he had a lot of passion and that he nailed it.

Paul McDonald – “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash.  Sounded good.  Wasn’t too crazy about it.  He’s a strange character and it gets tiring watching all that foot stomping.  Jennifer was feeling it, though.  She, as well as the rest of the audience, was clapping along.  Randy had 3 words for him…”I love it!”  Steven called him a perfect imperfect boy.  He loved it and felt that he rocked the house.  Jennifer thought it was a perfect way to end the show.  Wow, his teeth are so white.

Thia Magia and Naima Adedapo Eliminated

The show began with the announcement that there were 55 million votes, the most at this stage of the game, a record.  It’s always sad to see who goes home, and tonight was twice as painful since two were eliminated.  In the bottom 3 tonight were Paul McDonald, Naima Adedapo, and Thia Magia.  Paul made it through while the two ladies were not as lucky.  It’s saddest to see Thia go because she has a wonderful voice but just didn’t stand out.  Thia is young and probably will find her way to a record label.

Performances tonight were…

• Jamie Foxx and Will.I.Am
• “I Told You So”  duet by Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery
• Katie Perry’s “Teenage Dream” was sang by Haley Reinhart, Pia Toscano, and Thia Magia
• “Band On the Run” a quartet of Casey Abrams, Paul McDonald, Stefano Langone, and James Durbin

The contestants have 24 hours to memorize and then perform a Beatles hit song.  This is one step closer to finding out who the top 24 will be!  327 began Hollywood Week, this round began with only 61.

At The Mirage, in Las Vegas, contestants frantically worked on their Beatles songs.  They get to perform their songs on the stage for Cirque du Soliel The Beatles Love stage.

Slightly psychotic contestant, Ashley Sullivan, took this opportunity of being in Vegas to get married in between rehearsing.  The cameraman was the witness and she chose the same place that Britney Spears was married in, ’cause that relationship really worked out well!  Now she is Ashley Suraiva.

Once finished with performances and after making a few cuts (61 down to 40), the Vegas survivors had one last chance to sing for their lives before the top 24 cuts are made.

Among the 17 cut to find our top 24, was Chris Medina.  America fell in love with him when we heard his story about his fiance and the car accident that has her confined to a wheelchair.  Medina has stayed with her and helped her through this difficult time, the truest test of love.  Jennifer Lopez broke down in tears after letting him go.

The Top 24 are…

• Naima Adedapo
• Clint Jun Gamboa
• Haley Reinhart
• Paul McDonald
• Ashton Jones
• Karen Rodriguez
• Robbie Rosen
• Tatynisa Wilson
• Tim Halperin
• Julie Zorrilla
• Scotty McCreery
• Jovany Barreto
• Lauren Turner
• Rachel Zevita
• Kendra Chantelle
• Jordan Dorsey
• Lauren Alaina
• Stefano Langone
• Jacob Lusk
• Pia Toscano
• James Durbin
• Casey Abrams
• Thia Megia
• Brett Loewenstern

Which Favorites Didn’t Make It?

• Molly DeWolf
• Carson Higgins
• Caleb Hawley
• Denise Jackson
• Melinda Ademi
• Ashley Sullivan-Suraiva
• Hollie Cavanagh
• Lakeisha Lewis
• Alex Ryan
• DeAndre Brackensick
• Chris Medina
• Brittany Mazur
• Jimmie Allen
• John Wayne Schulz
• Tiwan Strong
• Erin Kelly
• Jackie Wilson
• Jessica Cunningham
• Jacee Badeaux
• Colton Dixon
• Aaron Sanders

Now the competition can really begin!  The boys will start off first in the first live performances on Tuesday night, followed by the girls on Wednesday!  Then, results on Thursday night!

Auditions #7 continues in California.  Two years ago, Adam Lambert was discovered in San Francisco.  So, hopefully, they will find some more talent like him!

Who received a Golden Ticket?

• Brittney Mazur; 21; Tucson, AZ
• Lara Johnston; 20; Novato, CA
• Matthew Nuss; 25; Huntington Beach, CA
• Stefano Langone; 21; Kent, WA
• Clint Jun Gamboa; 26; Long Beach, CA
• Julie Zorrilla; 20; Los Angeles,  CA    ~~~~~  predicted by J. Lo to be the winner of American Idol
• Emily Anne Reed; 26; Arlington, VA
• James Durbin; 21; Santa Cruz, CA

The audition tour is over.  Now onto the real competition!  Tomorrow night begins Hollywood Week!

Steven Tyler

For the first time in Idol history, Idol allowed people to audition via Myspace and the ones that were chosen, came to Los Angeles from all over the country to continue their auditions.

The day began with Steven Tyler exiting his limo, smoking a cigar.

Disaster of the day was 59 year old Copper Robinson, supposedly from a plantation deep within Arkansas.  Obviously starving for attention, he was just put onto the show for entertainment value…isn’t this type of contestants getting repetitive, a rather annoying?  Nothing will ever hold a candle to the awesomeness of last season’s “Pants on the Ground” routine by General Larry Platt, but it seemed like Mr. Robinson was attempting to be this year’s General Larry Platt, with absolutely no success.

In the end, LA didn’t seem to find all that much talent, just a lot of crappy, delusional, wannabe singers.

Who received a Golden Ticket to Hollywood?

• Tim Halperin; 23; Fort Worth, TX
• Karen Rodriguez; 21; New York City, NY
• Heidi Khzam; 23; Agoura Hills, CA
• Matt Gutierrez; 28; Redlands, CA
• Aaron Gutierrez; 27; Redlands, CA

Next week is San Fransisco.  Hopefully they will find more talent then they did in LA.  Also, next week, Hollywood week begins!

Auditions hit Music City USA.  Nashville is home to Idol Carrie Underwood.  The show started off with the crappy singers that somehow made it through to perform in front of the judges.  Seriously, annoying.

Who wasn’t a joke and made it through to Hollywood?

• Rob Bolin; 23; Nashville, TN
• Chelsee Oaks; 23; Nashville, TN
• Stormi Henley; 19; Crossville, TN
• Adrienne Beasley; 22; Wickliffe, KY
• Jackie Wilson; 28; Nashville, TN
• Paul McDonald; 25; Nashville, TN
• Jimmie Allen; 25; Franklin, TN
• Danny Pate; 23; Auburndale, FL
• Matt Dillard; 27; Cheatham, TN
• Lauren Alaina; 15; Rossville, GA ….. predicted by Steven Tyler to be the winner!

Next week, audition will be hitting Austin, Texas.

To see all the American Idol Golden Ticket winners…go to AmericanIdol.com.

The next round of auditions are set in New Orleans, Louisiana, not far from Baton Rough where Randy Jackson was born.  One contestant, Jacquelyn DuPree, even brought some high school photos of Randy, as well as his high school football coach.  In return, she received a golden ticket.

Plenty of potential idols were dressed in festive Mardi Gras, crazy attire.  This new season seems to be focusing more on the talented contestants and less of the goofy, non-talented contestants, which is a relief!  Short pieces of of sucky singers were shone.

Steven Tyler continued his flirtatious comments, he’s adorable!  Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and contestant Jovany Barreto revealed their abs to J. Lo, must say that Jovany was pretty delicious!  Randy, not so much, but he’s such a funny guy!

We also found out the Tyler knows Mick Jagger‘s mouth well…interesting.

Who made it through to Hollywood:

• Jordan Doresy; 21; LaPlace, LA
• Sarah Sellers; 28; Richardson, TX
• Jovany Barreto; 23; Harvey, LA
• Jacquelyn DuPree; 24; Summit, MS
• Brett Loewenstern; 16; Boca Raton, FL
• Jacee Badeaux; 15; LaFayette, LA
• Paris Tassin; 23; New Orleans, LA

The day ended with J. Lo showing some raw emotions.  Contestant Paris Tassin brought her to tears with her song, Temporary Home.  She sang it for her daughter who was born with a disability when Paris was only 18.  The doctors told Paris that she should terminate the pregnancy but she had her baby girl anyway.  After the day was done, J. Lo found Paris and met her adorable daughter.  This just shows what a real, kind person J. Lo truly is.

Next round: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What’s new for Season 10?  The judges.  The newest judges to join American Idol are Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler (lead singer of Aerosmith).  The only returning judge is Randy Jackson.  These new faces will give a whole new feel and voice of the much loved show.  Also, Jimmy Iovine is the new music mastermind that will be the winner’s producer.

Who made it to Hollywood?

• Rachel Zavita; 22; New York, NY
• Caleb Hawley; 25; New York, NY
• Kenzie Palmer; 15; West Middlesex, PA  *First 15 year old on the show
• Tiffany Rios; 21; Morris Plains, NJ
• Robbie Rosen; 16; Merrick, NJ
• Ashley Sullivan; 25; Springfield, MA
• Victoria Huggins; 16 3/4; Lumberton, NC
• Melinda Ademi; 16; Yonkers, NY
• Devyn Rush; 20; New Hope, PA
• Brielle Von Hugel; 16; Staten Island, NY
• Travis Orlando; 16; Bronx, NY

This was our first insight into our new judges.  Looks like Jennifer Lopez has a very sweet heart (which we already knew) and it breaks her heart to shatter people’s dreams.  Steven Tyler is easy going and has a dirty mind.  Randy Jackson is now the tougher judge!

Next, it’s on to New Orleans!

With an audience of 7,000 at the Nokia Theater in LA, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze performed for the last time before an Idol is crowned.  Also, this was Simon’s last night judging.

Three rounds were performed tonight; one is the contestant’s favorite from this season, two is Simon Fuller‘s choice, and the third will be the song that will be released for whomever wins.

Lee DeWyze

Song 1:  From inspiration Week, The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel

• Randy -  “A great way to start off this night.”  “You sounded nice doing it but pick it up, pick it up.”
• Ellen -  “I couldn’t be prouder if I birthed you myself.”
• Kara -  “You gotta punch harder.”
• Simon -  “I would expect actually a lot more passion, excitement.  That was a kiss on the cheek when I want a kiss on the lips, not from you.”

Song 2:  Everybody Hurts by R.E.M

• Randy -  “You pulled it together and I could feel that Lee that I love by the end.”
• Ellen -  “A couple of time you really, really got into it…and then you pulled back again.”
• Kara -  “You’re emotionally accessible.  And that I can feel every word that you’re saying.”
• Simon -  “You went a little bit off melody at parts.”  “You’re nervous.”

Song 3:  Beautiful Day by U2

• Randy -  “By the middle of the song, when you hit the high notes and the chores, you started to get your groove back.”
• Ellen -  “You were fully present for that song.”  “You did a great job.”
• Kara -  “You got swallowed up in that song.  You had some good moments and some not so good moments.”  “You’ve grown the most on this show.”  “You deserve to be here tonight.”
• Simon -  “I genuinely wish the best for you.  You’re a great guy.”

Crystal Bowersox

Song 1:  From Billboard #1s week, Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin

• Randy -  “I hope you make a record like that, it was dope dude.”
• Ellen -  “You are so compelling on that stage.”
• Kara -  “You have fire in your belly tonight.”
• Simon -  “This brought me back to time that we absolutely fell in love with you.”  “This is you, back on your best.”

Song 2:  Black Velvet by Alannah Myles

• Randy -  “Mama Sox is in it to win it!”  “That was hot!”
• Ellen -  “That was fantastic!”
• Kara -  “You want it, you can tell.”
• Simon -  “You took that song and you absolutely nailed it.  I’m very impressed.”

Song 3:  Up To The Mountain by Patty Griffin

• Randy -  “This is one of the greatest performances and one of your best moments at the perfect time.”
• Ellen -  “You are in a league of your own.”  “If you make a salad, I’ll eat it.”
• Kara -  “You were completely emotionally invested in that song, unlike any other night.”  “You really blossomed just with that song.”
• Simon -  “That was by far the best performance and the song of the night and since this is the final critic I’m ever gonna give, I just want to say, that was outstanding.”

And with that, the competition is over and we just wait for the results.  Crystal seemed to steal the show tonight with her rendition of Up To the Mountain, but was it enough to take the popular vote and win it all?  We will have to wait for tomorrow night!

As we have all heard, after this season, Simon will be moving on and no longer on American Idol.  So, that leaves Fox with the biggest decision that they need to make this summer…who will his replacement be?  The bad news is that because they will be focusing on the finding a musically inclined and entertaining replacement, the auditions for the show will be pushed back later than usual, probably in September!