WISCONSIN.
Home of Lambeau Field... Arnold's... the Milwaukee Brewers... and a lot of
beer. But will we see the top-shelf talent or be driven to drink? Tonight,
it's the Milwaukee auditions!
First, hometown hero Danny Gokey comes home to celebrate.
MILWAUKEE
Bradley Center/Milwaukee Art Museum
First up, Scotty McCreery (Garner, NC, one hour north of GSNN World
Headquarters #2). He's got a deep voice for a 16-year-old, which is ideal
for a country music singer. He sings "Your Man" by Josh Turner and "Put Some
Drive In Your Country" by Travis Tritt, which is... a LITTLE higher. It's
high enough to get him through. Or, as Steven says, "Hellfire, save matches,
f(^_^) a duck and see what hatches."
All I can say is... this kid right here... This kid right here.
Joe Repka (Swanton, OH) says that he's going to kick this thing straight to
the moon. He's a communications student hoping to get into radio. Judging by
the package, the only way he'll get into the radio is if he gets a
legitimate job as a DJ. Which is very possible. He sings "The Longest Time"
by Billy Joel.... and he'll be waiting "the longest time" for a golden
ticket.
Emma Henry (Littleton, CO) is 15 and driving 16 hours to the audition.
Remember, she has to have someone in the front seat with her. She's been
watching since Kelly took it in 2002. She sings "True Colors" by Cyndi
Lauper. It's a little weak. Randy doesn't think she's ready YET... Neither
does Jennifer. Will Randy switch his vote? YES!
Kody Zalewski, Juanita Borges, and Kamil Anthony..... aren't going to
Hollywood. Neither is Kanisha Miller.
Naima Adedapo (Milwaukee) is connected with Summerfest, the largest music
event EVER... but she basically cleans the grounds there. She's a big ol'
crybaby. Will she cry tears of joy or tears of sorrow after tonight? She
sings Donny Hathaway's version of "For All We Know". Naima may go from
cleaning Summerfest to PLAYING Summerfest. But first, she has to get through
the Hollywoood Round.
And we have an injury in the holding. Let's go to our roving reporter,
Gordon Pepper...
(Gordongram: HA HA!)
Thank you, even more painful are Jovan Raymond, Toothbrush Man Chris Kammer
(who, at 54, is an ineligible), or Jerome Bell (New York City), a bar
mitzvah singer who sings Marvin's "Let's Get It On". Okay, maybe not that
last one, as he goes through.
OMGITSJUSTINBIEBER! Will we say OMGITSVALERIE? (5-year-old from
Milwaukee).... maybe on "The X Factor", but not here. How about OMGITS...
Thia Megia (Mountain House, CA)... That's right, former America's Got Talent
contestant graduating to the big leagues. She sings "Chasing Pavements" by
Adele. And will the repeat ho-ffender repeat as a pass-through? That would
be a YES! Joining her... every 15-year-old that went into the room.
Nathaniel Jones (Mt. Zion, WI) reenacts the Civil War in his spare-time.
Today, he's going to battle against the toughest room in America. He's going
into battle with his father, who looks like a hippie. He sings "The Lion
Sleeps Tonight" by the Tokens. And time to play "Taps" for our fallen
warrior.
Ultimately... Mason Wilkinson (West Allis, WI) starts singing... and he was
better doing that cleansing breath thing he was doing before he started.
Molly DeWolf Swensen (Seattle) recently graduated from Haaaaah-vard and is
currently a White House intern. Not THAT kind. The kind that gets punched in
the mouth by lead judges... Randy. She sings "Dock of the Bay" by Otis
Redding. Very deep voiced lady... with a lot of range. She's also got a lot
of swag to her... and she's through to Hollywood.
Day 2 begins with... a long note.
Haley Reinhart (Wheeling, IL) had a year of practice since the last time she
auditioned in Chicago. She was told to come back, so... she did. She sings
"Oh Darling" by the Beatles... and second time is the charm.
How about Tiwan Strong (Chicago) "Twistin' the Night Away" by Sam Cooke?
That's two for two for Chicago.
Steve Beghun (Bloomington, MN) is a CPA whose co-workers are going to be
shocked to find him here. By day, he crunches numbers. By night, he crunches
notes, as is proven by his audition of the Script's "The Man That Can't Be
Moved". He can be moved... to Hollywood.
Hoping to follow him is Vernika Patterson (Milwaukee) with "Loving You" by
Minnie Riperton. Doesn't even come CLOSE to passing muster, and she doesn't
hold back with the judges. I guess that's a no. She said no. And she just
wants to go home. Okay. Doesn't want to go to Hollywood... Whatev.
Next up... President Obama? Nope, just a guy who sounds a lot like him,
Albert Rogers III (Oglethorpe, GA), who sings Ben E. King's "Stand By Me".
Steven liked it, but not in a going-to-Hollywood way. Randy thought it was a
joke. He's... going back to Georgia.
Next, Scott Dangerfield (Milwaukee) sings "Dreamin'" by Amos Lee. Jennifer's
a fan. That's pretty much an in right there.
Next up, the ultimate Cheesehead, Packer fan Megan Fraser (Green Bay, WI).
She sings "Baby" by the Bieber. And ... tackled for a loss. Someone throw a
flag on that.
Alyson Jados (Chicago) wanted so bad to meet... Steven Tyler. She sings
"Come Together" by the Beatles, a good choice. A good vocal. Very Joan Jett-ish.
But is she ready for the big time? It's up to Steven to settle this... And
She's GOING TO HOLLYWOOD!
Time for one more audition, Chris Medina (Oak Forest, IL), whose fiancee
suffered through a traumatic brain injury. She wouldn't wake from it until a
month and a half later. He sings "Breakeven" by the Script. Impressive
range. The judges seem to think so as well. While he goes and gets his
fiancee, the judges decide... he's going to Hollywood. Chris joins all the
others through to the next round.
Next time, the Idol train passes through Music City. The Nashville auditions
promise big voices and bigger dreams crashed. Y'all come back for that.
