Reality Roll Call

By Deb Porter-Jones

This Season begins with our judges, Randy, Simon and Paula choosing what they believed to be the best of 164 contestants: 12 guys and 12 girls.  Tonight, we’re introduced to the guys first who had to sing all ‘60’s music. 

Danny Noriega – An 18-year-old who also got cut last season after making it to Hollywood week.  He sang an Elvis favorite, “Jailhouse Rock,” and let’s just say he put a lot of himself into his performance.  This kid is definitely talented and if you close your eyes, you don’t imagine the singer looking like Danny looks.  When he sings, it’s like he channels a large Black woman with attitude.  That’s the voice that comes out!  Randy and Paula felt his performance was “safe” and didn’t show off his vocals very much.  Simon hated Danny’s performance, felt it was “verging on grotesque, whole performance was hideous, awful”.  Okay, Simon hated it.  I thought he did a good job making a decidedly Elvis song his own, but it really didn’t show off his ridiculously broad range.  I could totally believe that this kid would have inmates “dancing to the jailhouse rock”.

Luke Menard – A 28-year-old carpet cleaner that was cut last season in Memphis, TN.  Okay, just put it this way: Luke was a fluke.  He sang “Everybody’s Talking At Me,” and it was pitchy and sharp, according to Randy.  Paula said that he’s chosen better songs.  Simon thought it was forgettable and I couldn’t agree more.   Wait, who are we talking about again?

Chikezie Ezie – A 22-year-old college student who had been cut the previous season before making it to Hollywood.  He sang a really unique, somewhat slow-moving version of “I Love You More Today than Yesterday”.  Randy didn’t seem to like the performance very much: he said it was “alright”.  Paula said he did “very nice” but Simon hated the whole performance.  Simon said, “The suit is hideous, the wink was hideous, the “woo” was hideous, old-fashioned, corny, cheesy”.  I agree.  He’s a nice guy, but the performance was quite forgettable.

David Cook – A 25-year-old bartender and musician.  He comes with a clearly rocker-oriented background and was accused of being too tied to his guitar.  I like his clear, crisp and oftentimes raspy voice.  He sang “Happy Together” and I think he did a great job.  He gave a somewhat folksy song a decidedly rocker edge.  Randy and Paula both loved it and, surprisingly, so did Simon. 

Jason Yeager – Is 28-years old, and sang “Moon River”. It was kind of slow-moving and dull.  Randy thought it was pretty good, and Paula agreed.  Simon thought it was very “cruise ship” and “middle of the road.”  I actually agree. 

Rodney Carrico – A 26-year-old who toured with Britney Spears in 2000 with a boy-girl band.  “One is the Loneliest Number” was the song that he chose and I think he did a great job bringing a little of his own flair to this song.  Randy, Paul and Simon all thought he did a great job incorporating his own style to an old song.  Simon’s not convinced that he’s comfortable as a true rocker.  He did a good job with this song. 

David Archuleta – A 17-year-old boy with a face full of idealism, youth and naïveté.  I swear I saw milk on his upper lip.  David sang “You Better Shop Around”.  You believe his momma told him he better shop around!  David is confident and sweet and totally adorable.  Randy and Paul both loved his performance.  Simon said “when you got it, you got it.”  This kid is definitely one to watch.

Colton Berry – An 18-year-old student who looks like Ellen Degeneres.  Colton sang “Caught in a Trap” (is that another Elvis song?).  I also thought it was forgettable.  Randy thought he did a pretty good job, Paula thought it wasn’t his best performance but he gave it an eager and fun attempt.  Simon thought it was OK, not quite as bad as others but he wasn’t impressed. I must agree.   

David Hernandez – He sang “Wait ‘Til the Midnight Hour”.  For a Hispanic guy, I’m pleasantly surprised at how much soul this 24-year-old young man has.  Randy and Paula seemed to really like the performance, especially the first half.  Everyone thought that he kinda fell apart towards the end.  Simon felt like David was very stiff and nervous but said “it was better than he thought it would be.”

Garrett Haley – Is another 17-year-old student who kinda looks like a surfer dude – from Ohio.  He has a Jesus look to him (what society has been telling us Jesus looks like, that is).  His voice is rather high-pitched and sweet and pure.  He chose Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”.  Garrett is most probably going home.  His performance was dull and forgettable.  He’s clearly out of his league. Randy felt like he didn’t bring anything new to the song and it was boring.  Paula gives him advice on how to assert himself with the band.  Simon didn’t mince words, says he looks “terrified, pale and haunted”.  I agree; the kid looks like he could use some sun. His whole look is like a throwback from the sixties drug scene.

Jason Castro – Is a dreadlocked, androgynous 20-year-old drummer from Texas.  He appears to be a gentle soul.  Jason’s only performed publicly about 5 times.  He sings “What a Day for a Daydream,” and he sings it with truth and clarity.  Randy thought it was alright: “didn’t blow [me] away, but it was alright”.  Paula was blown away, thought his performance was “joyful”.  Simon thought it was in the top two performances of the night because he, like David Archuleta, has just got it.”  Overall, Simon thought it was terrific.  I agree.

Michael Johns – Is a 29-year-old Australian transplanted in Atlanta.  Michael’s got a decidedly rocker tone and he sang  “Light My Fire” by The Doors.  I think his performance was a good one.  Randy and Paula both loved his performance and I agree.  This song was perfect for him.  Simon thought he has natural charisma and he’s “got it”. 

Of all the guy performers, the ones who should be nervous are, from my point of view are Chikezie, Jason Yeager, Luke Menard, Colton, and Garrett Haley. 

Stay tuned.