AAN Breaking News — 8.8 Earthquake hits Chile

An 8.8 earthquake hit Chile early this morning.  A Tsunami warning has been issued to the entire Pacific coastal area.  Tsunami evacuation sirens are going off in Hawaii at half hour intervals.  This warning is for the population to get to higher ground.

According to the news folks the last time Chile received an 8 level earthquake Hawaii did experience a Tsunami.

The folks who monitor Tsunami buoys placed in the Pacific Ocean are reporting that the water level has risen, not real high, but it has risen.  They say that it won’t get high because of the depth on the water, but any rise is a call for concern.

We have nothing else to report at this time except that we will be monitoring this situation.  Stay safe all you folks out there!  Be sure to listen to the folks who are in charge and follow their instructions.

American Idol Season 9 – Top 24 Results

Cut from the top 24 tonight were Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz, and Tyler Grady.

As I say to all the departing contestants, “To Janell, Ashley, Joe, and Tyler we send our congratulations for making the Top24 and even though you are leaving tonight, “Let nothing stand in your way as you continue your journey to complete your dream”.

Tonight’s Show highlights:

Allison form last year sang he new single “Scars”.  It was nice seeing Allison again, she was one of our favorites.

For “Idol Gives Back” Chris Allen last years winner sang “Let it be.” and if you download the song from “iTunes” all of the proceeds will be donated to Haiti Relief.  Also texting and phone donations will be accepted all for the next 24 hours.

I have Nothing to add except to comment on the typical voting process of the viewing audience in the beginning weeks of American Idol.  Until the Top 10 are chosen the typical voting pattern is not based on talent as much as popularity of the contestants, especially in the “guys” group.  John Park, Tim Urban were absolutely terrible last night and yet they made it through tonight.  Granted Tyler Grady was not all that good, but Joe Munoz was far better than these three and he is gone.

American Idol Season 9 – Top 12 Guys Performance

Tonight the guys go live battling for your votes.  Tomorrow night will be the results from tonight and last nights girl performances.  Two guys and two girls will be leaving.

The Judges tonight were Simon, Kara, Randy, and Ellen.

Here are the top 12 guys in order of performance:

1] Todrick Hall – Song: “Since you been gone”
Simon said, “You looked like a dancer trying to sing and you murdered that song.
Randy said, “You are talented but you messed up the song by changing it too much.”
Kara said, “You did not need to change the song so much.”
Ellen said, “You are a great performer, but you were ruff on the singing.
We did not like the arrangement at all.  The singing was so-so.

2] Aaron Kelly – Song: “Here comes goodbye”
Simon said, “That was a good performance, but you need more confidence.”
Randy said, “That was a big song for you and you pulled it off with just a few pitch problems.  Great voice.”
Kara said, “You have no idea how good you are and so humble.  You are so natural and soulful.”
Ellen said, “You are going to so well.  Good job.”
We agree with the “needs more confidence” statements.  We like the performance, but with more confidence we think it would have been a great one. (1^st night jitters?)

3] Jermaine Sellers – Song: “Get here.”
Simon said, “That song was too old for you and you sang it over the top.  You might have blown this opportunity.
Randy said, “You tried to do too much.  Next time hold back and just sing.”
Kara said, “Make the ‘runs’ more meaningful next time.”
Ellen said, “I am a huge fan of yours but I don’t think you felt that song and tried too hard.
It was a slow start but once he got going we enjoyed the performance.  Some minor pitch issues.

4] Tim Urban – Song: “Apologize”
Simon said, “There was nothing in that performance.  It was plain weak and not good at all.”
Randy said, “You made the wrong song choice.  You don’t have enough for that song.”
Kara said, “The music overpowered you and buried you.”
Ellen said, “You did not hit the high notes and need to choose the song better.  You are cute however and may get votes on that.
We agree with the judges. Not a good performance at all.

5] Joe Munoz – Song: “Out of words.”
Simon said, “Was ok and safe.  You did not show star power.”
Randy said, “Not exactly good song choice, but did a good job.”
Kara said, “You were right up front, centered, and consistent.  I like that, you’re the first one tonight.”
Ellen said, “You looked comfortable on stage and sounded good.”
We agree with Simon, it was safe without anything special.

6] Tyler Grady – Song: “American Woman”
Simon said, “It looks like you are trying to be a rock star.”
Randy said, “You need to bring songs from the 70’s to current.”
Kara said, “You need to get original.”
Ellen said, “You are being a copy-cat just going through the motions.  Get original.”
He did okay, but agree he needs to get more current.  Seemed like a “wanna be” rocker.

7] Lee Dewyze – Song: “Chasing Cars”
Simon said, “That was the best performance to this point tonight.  You are a naturally good singer and authentic.  He then asked what Randy and  Kara were listening to?”
Randy said, “I did not like the song choice.  You need to be more of a rocker.”
Kara said, “You need better song choice.”
Ellen said, “Really good song choice and I love your tone.”
We thought this was the best performance up to this point tonight.  He was original and great vocals.

8] John Park – Song: “God Bless the children”
Simon said, “That song was way to big for you.  You sang it flat and without emotion.”
Randy said, “Wrong song choice and you had some good moments and some bad.”
Kara said, “You did not have any connection and I agree with Simon.”
Ellen said, “It was a bad song choice but I thought you sang it great.  I like you a lot.”
We did not like it at all.

9] Michael Lynche – Song: “This Love”
Simon said, “You did not deliver.  You need to make people pay attention and you did not.”
Randy said, “You have good energy and did a good job.”
Kara said, “You picked everyone up with your personality. You ar comfortable with you and I like that.”
Ellen said, “You have a busting personality and that was a great song choice.  I love watching you.”
We thought it was too safe, but like his energy.

10] Alex Lambert – Song: “Wonderful World”
Simon aid, “That was the most uncomfortable performance tonight.  You have a good voice, but did not show it.”
Randy said, “You have great tone but need to get it together.”
Kara said, “You have it all, but need to bring it together.”
Ellen said, “Great voice but you are like a banana that needs to ripen.”
We like his voice, but did feel uncomfortable with the performance.

11] Casey James – Song: “Heaven”
Simon said, “You choose the right song, sang it good, and I think that was the best performance from you since you began this season.”
Randy said, “Great choice and you have that “swagger.”
Kara said, “You are eye and ear candy.”
Ellen said, “You sounded great.”
We like the vocals and it was a good song choice.  He made it different in a small way and we enjoyed it.

12] Andrew Garcia – Song: “Going downtown”
Simon said, “I was looking forward to hearing you tonight and was disappointed.  It was self indulgent and too safe. I know you have fantastic voice.
Randy said, “It was a strange song, but you are memorable.”
Kara said, “That was a strange rendition, but I like that in you.  You are great.”
Ellen said, “I am thrilled that you are on the show, but that was too serious.”
We enjoyed the performance and know that this guy can flat out sing and is a one of a kind.

AAN “Best of Night” was Lee Dewyze, Casey James, and Andrew Garcia.

Remember tomorrow night is the result night for the guys and girls.

We have nothing to add except we do agree that the girls are a much better group than the guys this year, if this week is any indication.  Could be just a case of first night jitters, but we shall see.

American Idol Season 9 – Top 12 Girls Performance

Tonight the girls go live battling for your votes.  Tomorrow night will be the guys turn.  On Thursday two girls and two guys will be leaving the show based on the voting.

The Judges tonight were Simon, Kara, Randy, and Ellen.

Here are the top 12 girls in order of performance:

1] Paige Miles – Song: “It’s Alright Now”
Ellen said, “You were so ‘there’ on that song. Great job.”
Simon said, “You have the best voice of all the girls, but you picked the wrong song.  You should be ok, but be sure to pick better songs.”
Kara said, “I disagree with Simon, that was a brilliant choice and you have a great dynamic.  Great voice.”
Randy said, “I agree that was the wrong choice, but you have a ‘big’ voice and you did a great job.
We really liked her performance and thought she made the song her own even though it was done originally by a group.  And she does have a ‘BIG” voice.

2] Ashley Rodriguez – Song: “Be Happy”
Ellen said, “I wanted a whole different vibe.  You need more originality”
Simon said, “It was clumsy, and I did not like the arrangement.  I think your going backwards and you might be in trouble.”
Randy said, “You did a good job, but I did not see who your are.”
Kara said, “You had some good moments and some not so good moments.  You need to show who you are, and you didn’t.
We thought she started slow and it did not get much better.  It was too karaoke and we thought she needed to make it her own.

3] Janell Wheeler – Song: “What about love”
Ellen said, “I liked the song and I like you.”
Simon said, “You gave 100% effort and 65% performance.  I do like your voice, but you did not quite get there.”
Randy said, “Not my favorite choice, but I do like your voice.
Kara said, “That song was too big for you.  You need better choices.”
We overall enjoyed her performance even though there were some shaky notes.

4] Lilly Scott – Song: “Fixing a hole.”
Ellen said, “That was a great job.  You are unique and original and that is what we love.”
Simon said, “That was the best of the night so far.  You showed yourself, but need more ‘star power’.”
Randy said, “You did your own thing with honesty.  I loved it.”
Kara said, “You believable as an artist and I could feel your performance.”
We agree with Ellen, it was unique and like that fact that she did it her way.  Very interesting voice we thought.

5]  Katelynn Epperly – Song: “Oh Darling or Oh Darlin”
Simon said, “I actually like you.  That was a good song choice and it was brave.”
Randy said, “I really love that you sing the tones.  You have a big voice.
Ellen said, “You have a lot of personality and a great voice.
Kara said, “You know your voice very well and what you can do with it.  Good job.”
We like this performance right from the “get-go”.  It was original and she ahs a very good sound.

6]  Haeley Vaughn – Song: “I wanna hold your hand.”
Simon said, “That was verging on terrible.  It was a mess.”
Randy said, “The high notes were off, you might try lowering the notes.”
Kara said, “That had some issues, but I could see your coming from your heart.”
Ellen said, “You have good stage presence and I enjoyed it.”
We did not like the arrangement and thought it was a so-so performance.

7] Lacey Brown – Song: “Landslide”
Randy said, “That was the wrong song choice.  I thought it was terrible and it did not suit you at all.
Ellen said, “You had bad moments and I kept hoping you would pull through.”
Kara said, “I agree, it was the wrong choice and you were not hitting the notes.”
Simon said, “That was depressing and seemed indulgent.  It was boring.”
We that it was absolutely the wrong song choice and “off” on the vocals.

8] Michelle Delamor – Song: “I keep on Falling”
Randy said, “Tough song, but your did a pretty good job with it.  You need to take more risks.”
Ellen said, “That was fantastic.  You made it look so easy and it is a tough song to sing..”
Kara said, “You look good and had some great and not so great moments.  You need to feel it more.”
Simon said, “You are very professional but the ‘wow’ was missing.”
We thought it was a big song and she did a good job with it.  Nice voice.

9] Didi Benami – Sing: “The way I am.”
Ellen said, “I like the song but it was too low key.”
Randy said, “I did not see any ‘star factor.’”
Kara said, “I like your choice and you changed it up and you showed another level.”
Simon said, “You are a good sing but I did not see any spark.”
We though it was and interesting song choice,along with a unique stage presence.  We liked the performance.

10] Siobhan Magnus – Song: “Wicked Game”
Ellen said, “I loved that and you entertained me.”
Randy said, “That is a tough song and I loved it from the second verse on.”
Simon said, “I loved that song and it was dark.”
Kara said, “I kind of like you and I really like that you are in the moment when you sing.”
At first we thought it was an odd song choice, but then she got in to it and we completely enjoyed the performance.

11] Crystal Bowersox – Song: “Hand in my pocket”
Ellen said, “I am a fan of yours.  You add fresh to the show.”
Randy said, “You are one of my favorites.  You are original, honest and I like what you do with all that.”
Simon said, “That was good, but not original.”
Kara said, “You were good, but I know you can be great.  I know you have it in you.”
We liked her voice and originality.  We enjoyed her performance and think she made the song her own.

12]  Katie Stevens – Song: “ Felling Good”.
Simon said, “The song was too old, it was like your parents choose it for you.  You are 16 years old and need to get current.”
Kara said, “You were a little pitchy, but you have a natural talent and great chops.”
Randy said, “You were pushing the notes hard and going too high.”
Ellen said, “That was great, but way too conservative.”
We thought for 16 years old she was great, but the song choice was way too old.

The AAN choice for “Best of show” was Paige Miles.

Remember tomorrow night is the Top 12 guys and the Thursday will be the results night where two girls and two guys will leave the show.

We have nothing else to add except to note that the “buzz” we have heard over the past week is that Andrew Garcia is the best of this years group.  We shall see …..

American Idol Season 9 – Top 12 Guy Pic’s

Top 12 Guys (For the names of the contestants “mouse over” the picture):

American Idol Season 9 – Top 12 Girls

Top 12 Girls (For the names of the contestants “mouse over” the picture):

American Idol Season 9 – Hollywood Week Top 24 Final

The Judges tonight were Simon, Kara, Randy, and Ellen.

 No singing again tonight.  The judges finished picking the top 24 for this season

Top 12 Guys:

 1] Michael Lynch “Big Mike”
 2] Casey James
 3] Aaron Kelly
 4] Lee Dewyze
 5] Todrick Hall
 6] Tyler Grady
 7] Alex Lambert
 8] Joe Munoz
 9] Jermaine Sellers
10] John Park
11] Tim Urban
12] Andrew Garcia

 Top 12 Girls:

 1] Didi Benami
 2] Katelyn Epperly
 3] Janell Wheeler
 4] Lacey Brown
 5] Ashley Rodriguez
 6] Crystal Bowersox
 7] Katie Stevens
 8] Lilly Scott
 9] Paige Miles
10] Siobhan Magnus
11] Michelle Delamar
12] Haeley Vaughn

  There were two contestants that did not make it through and we were shocked – Thaddeus Johnson, and Angela Martin.

 Next week the competition begins with the top12 girls one night and the top 12 guys the other night. 

To all the departing contestants we say, “Let nothing stand in your way as you continue your journey to complete your dream”.

 We have nothing else to report except we are hoping the contestants will be singing next week.

American Idol Season 9 – The Road to the Top 24 Show #1

The Judges tonight were Simon, Kara, Randy, and Ellen.

 Starting with 71 contestants the process to pick the top 24 began this week.

 We at AAN are going to give our opinion right off.  We thought this format was a huge disappointment.  We tuned in to see contestants sing, and what we got was all of the 72 contestants were done with their solos and placed in to three rooms.  Then the first hour and a half consisted of snippets of about twenty contestants and their backgrounds, which have already been done.  After each “quickie” it was pointed out which room they were in.  This went on and on until finally the judges went to each room and gave them the news.  All of the contestant in room two were cut, which by the snippets we had determined ahead of time.  Now they were down to 46 contestants and then they began picking the top 24 from the remaining contestants.  No singing, just more snippets as each contestant was called before the judges to get the news.

  So to keep this short, so far they have picked seven contestants, 5 guys and 3 gals.  They are going to finish the choosing tomorrow night.

 So far the Guys picked are:
1] Michael Lynch “Big Mike” (70689)
2] Casey James (16678)
3] Aaron Kelly (73668)
4] Lee Dewyze (26854)
5] Todrick Hall (85812)

 The two gals are:
1] Didi Benami (11424)
2] Katelyn Epperly (34421)

 That’s it so far.  Not alot of song for a show that is about singing.

 We have nothing else to report except we jest heard there are some downhill racers singing a victory song at the Winter Olympics and we are tuning in to NBC to see that.

Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Vancouver Canada 2010

All we can say is WOW!

 If you are not a proud Canadian then we don’t know what to tell you.  This was one of those television events that are a rare.

  The day started with the tragic loss of a Georgian athlete named Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old luger and he was remembered though out the ceremony.  The flags are being flown at half mast in his honor and he was honored by a minute of silence during the ceremony.

 The Beijing Olympic Ceremony had it’s moments of greatness, but Canada has taken it to a higher level.  Canada’s ceremony was one great moment from beginning to end. We must have said “wow” a hundred times tonight.  Nothing comes to mind to compare this event too or even comes close. 

 The special effects along with the scenery just plain blew us away.  The participants included not only the people on the main floor, but the 60,000 folks watching were also part of the festivities.  And that floor, wow, how they used the special light effects to enhance each segment of the ceremony.  My absolutely favorite one was when the whales swam into the stadium and out again crossing the full length.  Wow, that was one great effect.

  Each segment highlighted areas of Canada from the east to the west, concluding with Vancouver.  I can’t even begin to describe the ceremonies without out saying, “You had to be there or have watched it to get the full impact.”

 In closing we have one last thing to say and that is “Wow!  Thank you Canada, bravo!”

  We at AAN invite comments on this article. What was your favorite part of the ceremony?

American Idol Season 9 – Hollywood Week Group Night

The Judges tonight were Simon, Kara, Randy, and Ellen.

 85 contestants were cut on day one, 96 remain for “group” night.

 The contestants form groups and pick a song to sing and choreograph moves to fit their routine.  This always proves to be a challenge and the first 25 minutes of tonight’s show was the focus on what the constants go through.  Organizing the groups, confusing as too who is in which group, rehearsing, attempting to become a team and perform, etc.  It was a long day for some with plenty of drama.  This continued on to early morning the next day.  There were final rehearsals and tears for some who just were not ready.  A clip was shown of Simon saying, “You forget the words, you are gone.”  More pressure.

  Along with all this going on, “Big” Mike’s wife went into labor and ended up delivering their new baby while Mike watched via video phone.

  When the “group” competition started and progressed, Simon’s words “rang true”, if you forgot the words, you were gone.

  Once the competition started the first few groups were highlighted so the viewing audience could get the “flavor” of how this all works.  Then the “blur” of the other group performances flew by, only stopping for a few highlights such as the good performances of group “Little C” and “Three Men and a Baby”.  All of the contestants in these groups were put through.  There also were groups where all of the contestants were sent home.  One of the contestants simply gave up and left before she performed with her group.  She said “I don’t want to get up there looking like a fool.”  She packed up and left the entire competition.

  Finally the group named “The Dreamers” was the last group to perform.  This group was highlighted in the beginning of the show to display how personalities clash in the making of a group process.  They had trouble from the “get-go” and now they had to do their thing.  Mary, Alex, and Hope made it through for another day.  Mary said when it was over, “I may not have got along with everyone, but I love them all and I know that I will not have to go through those 12 hours of “Heck” again.”

 Tonight started with 96 contestants and when the night was over 71 contestants were put through for day 3, which will be on next week.

  We have nothing else to report except that “Big” Mike not only is a brand new daddy, but he also made it through to day 3 of Hollywood Week.  A big AAN shout out to Mike of “WTG Dude!”

 And too Ellen we say, “Welcome aboard the American Idol express train.  You are doing a great job and your humor is a refreshing change.