American Idol Top 4

Jamie Foxx mentored the final 4 Idol's who sang songs from the movies. Jamie stressed eye contact to feel the audience.
The show included duets by Crystal & Lee and then Casey with Big Mike.
Lee DeWyze opened with Seal's big hit "Kiss From A Rose." The judges were split on Lee's performance and song selection.

Big Mike Lynche left the Rhythm and Blues genre and sang a gospel song that Michael Jackson recorded, "Will You Be There." Randy thought Mike should have picked a R&B song and thought the performance was just ok. Ellen and Kara liked the song but Simon agreed with Randy.

Casey James, with a mini guitar, picked Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson." Randy jumped right in with "who you singing that to", while pointing to Kara. Ellen said it was just alright and passed to "Mrs Robinson"--Kara. Kara got all flustered with the comments by Randy and explained the song to Simon as a Older Woman falling for a Younger Man. Now Kara "the Cougar" has been gaga over Casey since about the second week and as you recall, Kara's husband showed up one week to check her reactions out. I'm convinced she has the "HOTS" for Casey and is definitely a "COUGAR." Simon was confused but didn't really like the performance.

Crystal Bowersox selected a Kenny Loggins song that is right for her called "I'm All Right." She had a very good arrangement and was accompanied by a great drummer playing on stage with her. Randy commented that Crystal is a real artist. Ellen said Crystal made the song better than the original Kenny Loggins song. Kara and Simon agreed.

Now for the duets. Crystal and Lee did a terrific job with "Fallin' Slowly" and Casey and Mike did a terrific job with "Have You Ever Loved A Women." All judges agreed that both duets were the best performances of the show.

Ok someone has to go home. I think Crystal and Lee are safe so that leaves Mike and Casey. HUM !! Mike has a good following and Casey has a lot of "COUGARS" so I'll take a stab that it will be Casey. But it really doesn't matter.

Tomorrow night on the results show, guest appearances by Daughtry, Fantasia and BON JOVI !! WOW !! Can't wait.

AMerican Idol Top 5 Results

Wednesday's American Idol Top 5 Results show had performances by this weeks mentor and arranger, Harry Connick, Jr.

Harry crooned a Sinatra biggy, "And I Love Her." What a great singer who also does so much for the people of New Orleans. Harry is bringing his orchestra and will be performing on Broadway shortly.

Also Wednesday night was a performance by the very talented "Lady GAGA." The unusual "Lady" was very entertaining with her singing and dancing of "Alejandro." "Lady Gaga" has quite a following and I plan on seeing her at the Bradley Center in September. Should be an interesting concert.

Now here were the Top 5.

Casey James

Crystal Bowersox

Lee DeWyze

Big Mike Lynche

And going home,


Aaron Kelly

Next week's mentor will be Jamie Foxx and the final 4 will perform.

American Idol Top 5

Tuesday night's Idol was mentored and arrangements by Harry Connick, Jr. based on the Great Frank Sinatra music. My opinion was, this music was a bad choice for all IDOL contestants even with Harry trying to add to each performance. It was just not TODAY!
So much for the theme selection. Here's each of the last 5 contestants:

Aaron Kelly sang "Fly Me To The Moon." It was ok but this guy has no stage presence at all. Guess the "Tiny Boopers" may save him.

Casey James sang "Blue Skies." YUCK!! My dog howled the whole time. Casey started off key and stayed off key. He can't sing with an orchestra behind him and I think he is gone.

Crystal Bowersox brought "Summer Wind" to a blues cafe. Kara commented that Crystal did a good job with the phrasing but overall it was just ok. I thought the big flower tattoo on her back didn't fit the dress.

Big Mike Lynche singing "The Way You Look Tonight" to his wife brought good comments from all the judges. Mike is really confortable on stage.

Lee DeWyze rocked the house with his singing of "That's Life." Judges all agreed Lee was the best and has a great shot at winning it all.

Bottom 3; Aaron, Casey, and Crystal. Casey goes byebye !!

Harry sings tomorrow night along with the one and only LADY GAGA!! This should be quite interesting. See you tomorrow night!!

Alan Jackson's Freight Train Tour with Chris Young & Josh Turner Concert

Saturday night it was Chris Young, Josh Turner,and Alan Jackson with Alan's Freight Train Tour at the Allstate. Great concert. Just another terrific concert.

First, here were my neighbors for the night. Joe & Carol great country fans who just got back from 5 days in Nashville.

And a happy family from US99.
















Ok now to Chris Young who opened the concert and got the fans whooping it up.


















Then it was one of my favorite's--JOSH TURNER!!
And here's "The Rockin' Old Man" with Josh.

Here's a short video of "One Women Man" (you might notice in the video's Josh is always on the stool because he sprained his ankle playing basketball the day before with Chris Young.)

(click on each video to play)





And then Josh sang "Firecracker."

And then it was Alan Jackson's turn. But first a picture with "The Rockin'Old Man."

And Alan singing "Livin' On Love."


"Small Town Southern Man"


"It's Just That Way"

Visit Josh's web at www.joshturner.com and Alan's web at www.alanjackson.com.

And a special thanks to Pam and US99 the best country station in the USA. And to Joe and Carol who sent me this picture.

American Idol Top 6 Results

Wednesday Night's American Idol Results show featured some really great Country Stars. Rascal Flatts with Shakira, Lady Antebellum, and the group formerly know as "The Clark Brothers" who are now know as "Sons of Sylvia" and who open for Carrie Underwood. They are very talented guys.

Now for the results, the bottom three were Siobhan Magnus, Casey James, and Big Mike Lynche. Ryan sent Big Mike back so he stayed in the contest. And then Siobhan was told she was going home. O well, someone has to go home but I thought Siobhan was safe with the strong following she has but America's girls like the Crystal and the guys.

Next week Harry Connick Jr with songs by Frank Sinatra.

American Idol Top 6

Last week's American Idol Gives Back received $45 million dollars in pledges to help the less fortunate people around the world. Tuesday night's progam began the last month of this year's Idol's contest.

The top 6 Idols performed to Shania Twain's music. Shania, one of Country Music's best female singer, was the guest mentor and offered some good advice to the contestants.

This will be the toughest week for picking the one Idol to go home. They all did a good job with Casey probably performing the best. Ok here's my thoughts.
Lee DeWyze opened with "Your Still The One." The judges said it was a good choice for Lee and that he made it his own.
Casey James picked "Don't" and the judges thought it was Casey's best performance and a great song choice. Kara "the Cougar" was all smiles.
Aaron Kelly did a good job with "You Got Away" and the judges liked the song choice and Simon said Aaron should pick Country as his genre.
Big Mike Lynch sang "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing" (one of my favorites) and the judges thought Big Mike was in the zone and it sounded like Luther. Simon thought it was "wet." WHAT?
Crystal gave a good Country performance with "No One Needs To Know" and the judges said it wasn't her best but still really like Crystal.
Siobhan Magnus tackled " Any Man Of Mine"ending the sing with her very high loud note. The judges really liked Siobhan's performance but Simon added that the high note sounded like she was giving birth. NOW HOW WOULD HE KNOW?

Tough call on going home but I guess Aaron. Big Mike could be gone if the young kids vote for Aaron.
We'll see!

The Rockin' Old Man on America's Got Talent!

The "America's Got Talent" Show was in Chicago today and will be in town tomorrow taping for the upcoming season. Host Nick Cannon, judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and this years third judge, Howie Mandel all arrived at America's Got Talent's last stop for auditions.

The Rockin' Old Man was on the program. No, not as a contestant but in the audience. I had the opportunity to greet Piers Morgan with a handshake, greet Sharon Osbourne with a kiss, and greet Howie Mandel with a fist pound.

What an honor!!

Now some of the acts that were put throught to Las Vegas were: A family of 11 kids who sang and were joined by their little 10 year old brother who Piers say must join the group for the next show. Howie asked where the parent's were and asked if they where busy working on another kid. HaHa !!

A Blues group with a mama who swung her Booty all around.

An unique dancer who had great stage presence and got good feedback from the three judges.

A dancing Mad Scientist who turned water into snow while dancing (he didn't however, walk on water).

And a snake man who set a guiness record by holding 12 rattle snakes in his mouth for 40 seconds.

The show is scheduled to start June 1st on NBC. I'm not sure when the Chicago tape will be on but watch for "The Rockin' Old Man."

America Idol Gives Back & Results

Wednesday nights "American Idol Gives Back" featured several stars that included Queen Latifah who co-hosted from a remote location. Also featured were Elton John, Black Eyed Peas, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys , who mentored the Idols Tuesday, Mary J Blige, Jennifer Garner, Jeff Beck & Joss Stone, who's duo of "I Put A spell On You" was really dope. George Lopez did a good number with judging the judges and made them all safe from going home. It was funny.
The Top 12 Idols were reunited to sing "Keeping The Dream Alive" and it was pretty good.
An appearance by the "Octomom" was a big mistake even if it was for charity.

Ok now the bottom three: Casey James, Aaron Kelly, and Tim 'the teflon kid" Urban.
Aaron was sent back right away by Ryan and Tim was sent home.
On to next week and the bottom 4.

BTW I gave"snap" did you? Call 1-866-436-5243 and give. Save a kids life!!

American Idol Top 7

Tonight's American Idol had the great Alicia Keys as the mentor for the contestants with the theme of inspirational songs. Alicia offered her help and a few of them took her advise, like Lee and Mike.

Casey James opened with Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" and played his guitar as usual but missed tonight's theme and didn't impress the judges.

Lee Dewyze did a great job with Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer" and the judges agreed Lee made the right song choice, gave a great performance, and has grown into a great artist.

Tim Urban did a karaoke version of the Goo Goo Dolls "Better Days" and the judges didn't care for Tim's performance.

Siobhan Magnus took on Whitney and Mariah's "When You Believe" and her vocals were good and a lot of inspiration for her in her performance, but somehow she always sounds the same. The judges were confused.

Aaron Kelly sang R Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" and it was ok but Aaron has no charisma. The judges said he has a big voice and I think the girls will keep him in the hunt but he doesn't have a chance.

Big Mike Lynche strummed the guitar and sang "Hero" good enough that he probably will move on.

Crystal Bowersox who will be the next American Idol (unless Lee beats her out) did another phenomenal job with a stand alone version of "People Get Ready" and of course got all the judges to agree she hit it out of the park. Crystal finally showed some emotion and let the tears flow at the end of her song.

Bottom three: Casey James, Tim Urban, and Soibhan Magnus. Guess it doesn't matter who goes home because this contest is down to Lee and Crystal. My guess Casey cause he's the oldest of the three.

We'll see tomorrow night on the two hour American Idol Gives Back.

ACM Awards Show

Last night's ACM Awards Show was one of the best for you country fans !!







If you missed it 'Lady Antebellum' took home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Top Vocal Group.

Carrie Underwood took home Entertainer of the Year.

Other winners were:
Top Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
Top Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert
Top Vocal Duo: Brooks & Dunn
Top New Artist: Luke Bryan
Top New Solo Vocalist: Luke Bryan
Top New Vocal Duo: Joey & Rory
Top New Vocal Group: Gloriana
Album of the Year: Revolution by Miranda Lambert
Video of the Year: White Liar by Miranda Lambert
Vocal Event of the Year: Hillbilly Bone from Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins


Check out http://www.cbs.com/specials/acma/#start and
http://www.acmcountry.com/ for highlights and previous winners, videos and photos.