Idol Stalker - Watching American Idol

Posted: 14 Jan 2009 05:08 PM PST

Tonight, American Idol heads to Kansas City to see if they've got any talent. Come back for the live blog of tonight's auditions!

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American Idol 8 Phoenix Auditions Recap

Posted: 14 Jan 2009 11:24 AM PST

Here's a recap of last night's American Idol auditions from Phoenix, Arizona!

Last night's American Idol auditions kicked off with Tuan Nguyen of Spring Valley, California. The 20-year-old cashier attempted to sing "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson and I think it started okay but things just went downhill from there. He didn't make it through.

Emily Wynne-Hughes (age 21) of Los Angeles, California sang Heart's "Barracuda" (a song that's enjoyed some considerable
"second-time-around" success due to its' inclusion on the song list of Guitar Hero III) and I thought she did an excellent job. She was given a golden ticket!

28-year-old wannabe rocker, Randy Madden of Moorpark, California, showed up looking like he bought all his rocker gear on his way to the audition. He sang "Livin' on a Prayer" and actually cried when the judges turned him away. It was said because I understand he wants to break away from his office job but the man just could not sing…

More after the jump!

JB Ahfua of Taylorsville, Utah sang Idol-winner Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings" and I thought he was phenomenal. What is going on in Utah?! Like David Archuleta when he first auditioned, JB is just 16 years old and was very emotional when he was put through to the next round.

Unfortunately for fellow teen, Michael Gurr (17) of Meza, Arizona, singing a former Idol's song doesn't guarantee success. He sang Carrie Underwood's "Starts With Goodbye" and it just didn't impress the judges.

Twenty year old Aundre "Xray" Caraway of Phoenix, Arizona came into the audition with a guitar and a swagger. I thought he was going to really blow me away. He sang "Cactus Baby" and, while the judges didn't put him through to the next round, I didn't think he was as bad as they said.

Arianna Afsar of San Diego, California came to the auditions fresh-faced and ready to go. The 16-year-old sang "Put Your Records On" by Corrine Bailey Rae and I hated her timing but I really liked her voice. I'm hoping it was just the result of nerves but, either way, with a good voice, most people can overcome timing issues. I'll be interested to see what she does in Hollywood.

From the minute Elijah Scarlett (22 - Phoenix, Arizona)opened his mouth to speak to Ryan Seacrest, I knew it would be a disaster. I don't know what possessed him to audition but he sang "My First, My Last, My Everything" by Barry White and it was absolutely horrible. Of course, he wasn't put through by the judges.

Lea Marie Golde of Los Angeles, California proclaimed herself to be Kara DioGuardi's biggest fan. The 16-year-old aspiring songwriter said she looks up to Kara and hopes to be like her one day. Lea even brought a binder filled with more than 100 songs she had written. Oddly, she chose to sing the upbeat dance song "Every Time We Touch" by Cascada and, while it wasn't as pitchy as you might imagine, it was very annoying. They told her she wasn't ready and she was sent packing.

Stevie Wright of Phelen, California sang the Etta James classic, "At Last" and it was one of my favorite auditions of the night. It was a definite yes from the judges!

When they showed the footage of Michael Sarver working as a roughneck, I knew he was going to be good. I can't even explain it. Anyway, the 27-year-old sang "Thank You" by Boyz II Men and he was so full of soul. I hope the competition works out so that he can get a less dangerous job.

Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell – yeah, read this post about her audition…

Eric "Sexual Chocolate" Thomas (17) of Phoenix, Arizona butchered my favorite Stevie Wonder song "Ribbon in the Sky" and got a quick "no" from the judges.

Brianna Quijada of Tempe, Arizona sang "Let's Hear it For the Boy" by Denise Williams and garnered a yes from Simon and Paula after a slightly rough audition. They weren't going to put her through to the next round and I felt like she deserved a chance. The things they were saying kinda threw her off and I think she has a good voice under all the personality and nerves. I was glad she ended up getting a second chance.

Deanna Brown of Louisville, Kentucky (25) sang "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding and I really, really loved her unique voice. I'm not sure how this will play out during the Hollywood rounds but I'm glad she got put through!

Cody Sheldon (17) of Detroit, Michigan sang "Wonderful World" by James Morrison and his voice surprised me. He (like me) loves horror movies so I immediately liked Cody. His audition started a little strangely for me but it ended quite well. He's a little whiny but I like his voice. We'll be seeing him in Hollywood!

Alex Wagner Thugman of Studio City, California entered the audition room looking like someone that I thought was going to really do terribly but his personality (he was bantering back and forth with Simon like a pro!) started to win me over. When the 19-year-old opened his mouth and sang James Ingraham's "Baby Come to Me" (many of you will know it's a duet with Patti Austin) I was positively floored. He did a great job and was put through to the next round.

Scott MacIntyre, a 23-year-old visually impaired songwriter from Scottsdale, Arizona sang "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel and, while it was a little shaky in parts for me, it was an overall good audition and, of course, his story made it that much more powerful. He was put through and I can't wait to see how he does in Hollywood!