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American Idol Auditions — Marcio Brings It

american idol

Monday night’s auditions on American Idol start in Nashville, Tennesse, so it would be fitting to start with the guy who sees himself as the next Johnny Cash. Trevor McBane’s 81-year-old grandmother, Nan, takes care of the family farm, but he sees music as a bigger part of his life. Strutting into the audition room, Trevor is auditioning with “Colder Weather,” by the Zac Brown Band and he has a great raspy country sound. I didn’t expect this.  The judges call him interesting and that he needs a bit of work, but they like him. Nan comes in the room! Wow, she’s 81. Holly smokes!

The judges take us on a tour of Nashville’s Music Row — which I’m seriously going to visit soon, but I won’t go if the next singer is performing. LOL She said she was an opera singer in high school (?). Twenty-year-old Audriana Bolton, from Portland, Oregon is all over the place in the song “Natural Woman” and of course she doesn’t get through. Honestly, not sure if she really wanted to take it seriously or not. She had some abilities and the look, but oh well.

Another question — why are you bringing in the dog to your biggest audition? Unreal.

Okay back to the auditions. But beforehand, Luke Bryan shows his excitement about being able to sit at a piano next to Lionel Richie. Even a legend like Luke gets fangirly.

Next auditioning is the oldest of 10 children, Genavieve Linkowski, 18, from Goodrich, Michigan talks about how she had to be the mom when hers had heart failure and was very sick. Ohmigod, this clip is getting to me. This girl is amazing that she would do that and wouldn’t be a whiny teenager. Good for you kid. Now sing your ass off. She is a little breathy but she has a great deal of talent. The judges call her “magic” and Lionel compares her to Celine Dion. Do you think magic went off to Hollywood — of course she did!

The next contestant actually had to have Luke tune his guitar. Seriously? You’re not going through.

Next is Kenedee Rittenhouse, 19, who is from Checotah, Oklahoma — if that sounds familiar it’s the home of Carrie Underwood. Wow, this girl is amazing and has a great look — deadly combination. Wow, I’m surprised that Luke isn’t into her that much. She was asked to sing Firework (Katy’s song) and does a pretty good job. Luke is on the fence, but gives her a yes. She gets through to Hollywood.

Can we nickname this episode the Tissues episode? Explaining that he has only been singing for a year and a half, 22-year-old Brandon Elder has his own story to tell. Apparently, his mother traded him for a car but that person couldn’t raise him and he was put up for adoption. His adopted single mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was 14. She was cancer-free for three years and it came back and unfortunately she passed in April 2016. The Arab, Alabama resident turned to music to help with his loss. He is singing an original song called “Gone,” as a tribute to his mom (pass the tissues). Put that song on the damn radio — holy smokes he is good. I’m rooting for this kid. He’s making Luke cry and me. When Lionel Richie calls you an amazing songwriter, you know you have something. His voice needs a little help, says Katy Perry. He got a yes from all three judges. And from me.

Can I have a puppy? (It was Katy’s birthday and she loves puppies!)

Cody Martin, 26, from Louisville, Kentucky walks in singing Happy Birthday to Katy. That secured him the golden ticket to Hollywood.

Victoria McQueen, 15, was born the day American Idol premiered. She’s auditioning with “Don’t You Worry About a Thing,” from Stevie Wonder. She’s cute and can saaang and Lionel said she’s spot on the money. This Idol baby is going to Hollywood. She’s so damn perky.

Britany Holmes, 28, from Frisco, Texas is a vocal coach who admires 90s music and has been inspired by her father. She’s auditioning with Whitney Houston and that typically is a hard thing to do. She does a solid job, but Katy doesn’t feel like she’s connecting yet. Luke says no. Katy says yes. It’s up to Lionel and he says “go for feeling, not teaching” and he votes no. Now this is interesting:

Guess we’ll find out what that means soon.

The next montage of singers come through, but they are ones that the judges aren’t really “feeling.” They are great singers, but not really blowing them away.

Next is Dominique, 26, from Birmingham, Alabama. singing “A Song for You,” by Donny Hathaway. “You handled it with care and ease,” said Lionel. Of course, he’s going to Hollywood.

Amalia Watty, 28, from Brooklyn, New York has a unique sound to her voice, very different from most of what we’ve heard in the competition. “Your range, sound and uniqueness are all the things is what we’re looking for,” said Lionel Richie. Luke things she’s super cool and they all vote yes.

After the break, we’re joined by Daniel Ethridge, 22, from Austin, Texas who sings a song he wrote for his little sister. What a great song! Wow, the original songs have been so good this season. They all say yes and put him through. I don’t think his voice is as strong as others in the competition, but the grit in his voice is cool.

Next are sisters — one is playing guitar for the other who is singing. The singer is 17-year-old Taryn Coccia, from Nashville, Tennessee, who sings at a cafe at the airport. She’s singing “Masterpiece” and she puts on more of a performance and I kinda like it. The judges clap for her and Katy asks Lionel if her sister sings. Payton Taylor, who said she wasn’t going to sing, is now auditioning. Payton is 20 years old and has a fabulous voice.

They are both going to Hollywood! Nothing like a little sister rivalry.

Now let’s bring in the hair, I mean Samothias, 20, from Wheaton, Illinois. He sounds a lot like the guys I currently hear on the radio, but I think he has a great vibe. Luke calls him a great performer and Katy says she feels like she was in his performance at the time. They vote and he’s through to Hollywood!

Last up today is Marcio Donaldson, 28, of Compton, California who has brought his nephew (now his adopted son), Rashad, and told his hard story about growing up in violent areas and being put in foster care. He wanted to make sure his sister’s son didn’t go through what he went through so he took him. Wow. That’s amazing and I really applaud this young man, but will I applaud his singing? His face is so full of emotion and I think that helps performances. What a great performance. He held it together until the last note. Marcio that was awesome.

Until next week!

Written by Lisa Iannucci

Lisa Iannucci has been interviewing professional athletes and Olympians, sports writers and film/tv personalities for more than a decade. Her book, A Film & TV Lover's Travel Guide is now available: https://www.amazon.com/Location-Film-Lovers-Travel-Guide/dp/149303085X

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