American Idol Season 11 Top 13 Power Rankings

March 2, 2012 By 1 Comment

Now we, to the real contenders.  After a long night of results we are down to the American Idol Season 11 Top 13. It was a tough night for Christian musicians on American Idol Season 11.

I think America and the judges pretty much got it right.  I agree with the judges picks and only have minor disagreement with America’s picks.  The real contenders are in the Top 13 and I don’t think we lost anyone who was a serious contender to win the competition.  This is a very, very good group of singers so American Idol Season 11 should be a good one.

We at One21music cover Christian musicians competing on American Idol Season 11.  In that regard last night was not great.  We lost seven Christian musicians from American Idol Season 11 last night, so we are only left with four in the competition.

Christian Musicians in American Idol Season 11

Unfortunately we lost Chase Likens, Hallie Day, Adam Brock, Baylie Brown, Chelsea Sorrell, Aaron Marcellus and Eben Frankowitz. I think Aaron Marcellus should be in the Top 13 but his voting block was consumed by the tremendous performance of Joshua Ledet and the bigger than life story of Jermaine Jones. I though Hallie Day should be in but she is blond and not 16 and there are several blond and not 16 singers in American Idol Season 13. As much as we like Adam Brock, I don’t think he resonates with American Idol‘s voting block. Unfortunately for Chase Likens, Baylie Brown and Chelsea Sorrell they just could not deliver the blockbuster performances they needed to survive this week’s massive cuts.

So that leaves us with Christian musicians Colton Dixon, Joshua Ledet, Jermaine Jones and Jeremy Rosado in American Idol Season 13. I think Colton and Joshua are very real contenders to win. Jeremy Rosado and Jermaine Jones need to be very, very good over the next few weeks to create momentum.

American Idol Season 11 Top 13 Power Rankings

1) Jessica Sanchez

Really? This girl is 16? Jessica Sanchez is the total package. She has the vocal control of Melinda Dolittle, the vocal power of Jennifer Hudson and the 16ish of Jordin Sparks.  American Idol is a long road and many favorites have been derailed along the way (reference Pia Toscano) but the other contestants have some major work to do to overcome Jessica Sanchez in American Idol Season 11.

2) Joshua Ledet

On Tuesday, Christian musician Joshua Ledet made a statement that he was  a force to be reckoned with.  He is a great gospel singer.  However, he is raw and maybe a little naive. He will be really tested with the different theme styles and he will need to demonstrate versatility beyond gospel to keep America’s interest.

3) Phil Phillips

We were not big fans of Phil Phillips until Tuesday night.  His arrangement of “In The Air Tonight” was brilliant.  It looks like he is going to be able to twist any musical theme to his own.  With the departure of Reed Grimm and Creighton Fraker it looks like he will have control of the “indie rocker” vote that carried Kris Allen and Lee Dewyze to the American Idol title.

4) Colton Dixon

We are not sure what to think about Christian musician Colton Dixon.  He is the right age, good looking and extremely talented.  However, his look is way edgier than the music he plays. He has yet to develop a personality that the American Idol audience can settle into.  He is capable of delivering some show stopping performances and he will need to do that over the next few weeks to create the kind of momentum that could overthrow Jessica Sanchez on American Idol Season 11.

5) Hollie Cavanaugh

This tiny Texas blond stood in the middle of the stage on Wednesday night and slayed the Christina dragon with a powerful, if imperfect, version of “Reflections”.  Very few have taken on a Christina song and survived, but she did it.  Hollie Cavanaugh has a huge voice but she is very quiet.  America will need to see her break out of her shell is she wants to go far into American Idol Season 11.

6) Elise Testone

Three singers took on Adelle this week on American Idol Season 11.  Two failed.  Her gravelly, soulful voice is perfect for Adelle‘s music and she delivered with a nuanced and assured performance.  Elise Testone greatly benefited from having the final spot.  She is one of 11 great singers in American Idol Season 11. The judges’ decision to add her stylistic dopplganger Erika Van Pelt does not help Elise Testone.  She will need great performances and lucky performance spots to survive the early weeks.

7) Skylar Laine

Okay, so it was crazy and over the top, but isn’t Mick Jagger crazy and over the top? Skylar Laine saw herself lumped in with two others as the “country girls” and take a huge risk by performing a 30 year classic rock song.   “Stay With Me” was the boldest song choice of the week and she pulled it off.  Her performance was vocally great and manically in control.  Her intensely country persona may hurt her but she has the voice and now I believe she has the savvy to far into American Idol Season 11.  at least we know Skylar Laine is not going quietly. Note: watch the video, Skylar nearly falls into the pit near the end of her performance.

8) Jeremy Rosado

Faced with elimination, Christian musician Jeremy Rosado delivered one of the best performances of the week. A favorite among the Idol group, Jeremy has come through the first week as the only modern R&B singer.  That may enable Jeremy to survive until the Top 10 and go on the American Idol Season 11 tour.  He needs to bring it strong every week.

9) Jermaine Jones

Oh, the gentle giant of sub woofer tones got a second chance and was embraced by American Idol fandome. Jermaine Jones has a fantastic voice and has proven he can deliver an emotional punch. He will have some good performances through the season. The question with Jermaine is how he will be able to adapt to the different musical styles he will face this season.  I need to see him do an uptempo song before he can be counted as a contender.

10) Erika Van Pelt

We are now in the judge’s section of the Power Rankings.  Erika is a great singer but she is in that blond but not 16 category. She is going to need special performances every week and lucky placement in the performance line-up each week to last very long.  Expect Erika Van Pelt to be a repeat resident in the Bottom 3 for the first few weeks.  If she survives into the Top 10 it will be because she found an audience.

11) DeAndre Brackensick

He made a brilliant song choice for his wild card song.  Everybody kills “Georgia (On My Mind)” and DeAndre did on Thursday night. DeAndre Brackensick may sound great in person but his vocals and his persona are a little exotic for American Idol.  I expect DeAndre to make an early exit.

12) Shannon Magrane

Shannon Magrane took advantage of great placement in the performances and delivered a wonderful performance of  the CCM classic “Go Light Your World”.  I just have not connected with her and her performances.  She will benefit for a while by being a personable, blond teenage girl that the American Idol audience will relate to.  However, she cannot afford to have one bad performance and I am not sure she can be perfect through the first few weeks of American Idol Season 11.

13) Heejun Han

We love Heejun and we have laughed at every one of the numerous clips American Idol has shown of him through the Season 11.  We just don’t get his voice.  He does not seems to be that great of a singer over the television. Heejun has benefited greatly from the overwhelming air time he has received through the season but that screen time will start to level out.

Next week we believe that Heejun Hahn will struggle with the Stevie Wonder theme and Shannon Magrane could really falter trying to perform Whitney Houston songs.  However, we think their popularity will carry them through next week.  Look for Erika Van Pelt, Jermaine Jones and Elise Testone to face elimination next week.

One21 music will be there live blogging the performances on Wednesday night and analyzing the results on Thursday night.

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American Idol Season 11 Top 12 Girls

February 29, 2012 By 1 Comment

Wow, after a hot night of performances by the guys last night, the American Idol Season 11 gauntlet has been thrown down.  The question for us is, which of our favorites will go home on Thursday.  Joshua Ledet, Colton Dixon, Aaron Marcellus and Phil Phillips were stand outs for us last night.  I will be ecstatically surprised if those four are on the show next week. Christian musicians lead the pack last night with five of the top six performances, but the evening’s pinnacle was delivered by Christian musician Joshua Ledet with “You Pulled Me Through”

But onto the girls.

Tonight, the American Idol Season 11 girls will try to match the consistency and artistry of that group of guys.  Will anyone take the risks that Colton Dixon took last night?  Are any of the girls capable of standing in the middle of the stage and just dominating the room like Joshua Ledet did last night.  Join us for the next two hours as we watch these girls start their quest to break the string of guy winners on American Idol.

Baylie Brown
Brielle Von Hugel
Chelsea Sorrell
Elise Testone
Erika Van Pelt
Hallie Day
Haley Johnson
Hollie Cavanaugh
Jen Hirsh
Jessica Sanchez
Shannon Magrane
Skylar Laine

There is a lot of blond hair on the American Idol stage tonight.  They kind of blend into the new stage colors.  It sounds like each of the judges will get a “judge’s pick” so it looks like we will 13 finalists next week.

First up is Chelsea Sorrell, who is a real sharp shooter with a handgun.  Chelsea is singing “Cowboy Casanova”. She is singing pretty well but the song is kind of a nothing and the mix is a little muddled.  No great vocal moments to catch America’s attention.  I agree with Randy that she could have sung something that showcased her better. The judges are coming out throwing punches tonight.  I think Chelsea Sorrell has little chance to make it through tomorrow night’s results show.

Mobile DJ and professional wedding singe Erika Van Pelt is next singing “What About Love “. First of all, Erika looks the best we have seen her this year.  More importantly, she is delivering a big brassy version of this song.  Her deep alto voice is perfect through the entire music and she comfortably glided through her range.  No missteps for Erika tonight.  The judges heard that they were not critical enough last night so their criticism, even in praising Erika, is a little more pointed.

Jen Hirsch, one of the biggest singers on American Idol Season 11, takes on “One and Only”. Why do these kids wander into Adelle‘s world.  It is so treacherous. And sure enough this big singer sounds thin and tinny compared to Adelle.  And that is why you don’t do that because you get compared to Adelle. I agree with J-Lo that Jen did a really good job, just not a killer job and tonight needs to be killer.

So far none of the first three girls would make it into the top 10 from last night.  Come on ladies!

Brielle Von Hugel is a typical teen age girl from Staten Island.  Well, not really, she is singing on national television in front of millions of people.  Tonight she is singing “Sitting On The Dock of The Bay”. How does a 17 year old girl make us believe she has any connection to this song. This is a silly, clumsy arrangement of this song that proves, without soul, this song is just a song.  Stephen and J-Lo love the performance. I disagree, I think she oversang this song without the hopelessness of its mood.

Former rocker Hallie Day is singing “Feeling Good “, uh oh. This young lady has fought back from a suicide attempt to build a life with her husband and her church.  We are rooting for Hallie. I had high hopes but Hallie never really reached out and grabbed the song.  It was good but not spectacular.  She slinked around the stage like a star but I wonder if that performance with that song is enough to stick around.

Who is going to step out and stake their claim to this night.  Only seven more girls left to sing and no one is a slam dunk for my top 5. What is going on tonight?

It is country time with the Skylar Laine/Baylie Brown show.

First up, teenager Skylar Laine sings “Stay With Me “. The country girl turns a rock classic into a country romp. Skylar certainly has no problem with stage pressence as she stomps amd prances around the stage in a shiny, fringy dress. Finally, a big confident performance with sass and a big booming voice. Yep, Skylar Laine just put her stamp on tonight’s show.  Randy loved it, J-Lo loved it anc compared her to Tina Turner. J-Lo called it a great performance.

Now cool country crooner Baylie Brown must follow that great performance.  She tries to make her statement with “Lone Stars Amaze”. Well, this turns out to be a tough placement for Baylie Brown.  This performance is a little bland and pitchy.  Sorry Baylie we have been waiting a long time for you but I don’t think you are going to be around for long.  The judges really rake her over the coals.

Now the pride of McKinney, Texas, Hollie Cavanaugh brings “Reflections ” to the American Idol Season 11 stage.  Wow, we have another contender.  After a slightly shaky beginning Hollie just stands her ground behind the mike and belts out this Christina Aguilera number.  That, everyone, is singing with a capital “S”.  I think we have a little blond stick of dynamite. J-Lo calls her one of this year’s front runners. I, for the first time, agree.

Now let’s see what Haley Johnson can do with “Sweet Dreams.”  She starts with the perfect tone, let’s see where she goes from here. Wow, Annie Lennox is a really good singer.  Haley tries to bring emotion to this song through a shouty vocal and this is not a shouty song. I don’t think this was the best song for Haley.  J-Lo is begging America to vote for Haley and Stephen groped for good things today.  Randy called it a nightmare rather than a dream.  This is really the tale of two judging nights.

Shannon Magrane now takes her turn with Mr Hyde judges. She is singing “Go Light Your World”. Well Shannon makes a great song choice.  I believe she believes these lyrics.  This is a really solid performance with a big finish.  That gets her to next week. Good job Shannon.  J-lo pegs it that Shannon sings with so much passion. One of the best of the night.

Jessica Sanchez is one of my favorites to win American Idol Season 11. Let’s see if she delivers on her promise with “Love You, I Do “. Sore vocal chords and all and Jessica Sanchez stakes her claim as the front runner.  Great dynamics, tremendous technical  skills, timing , stage presence she’s got it all.  A big, professional performance that brings everyone to their feet.  That is how it is done. Guys, this is your competition.  The judges bow at Jessica’s feet.  I want to see a Jessica/Joshua duet.  Come on America!

Elise Testone ends this party tonight. Sorry you have to follow Jessica.  She is singing “One and Only “. Two people singing the same song.  From behind the piano Elise delivers the right bluesy, rapsy opening to this song.  Great dynamics and punctuation.  It looks like we are going to have big finish. Completely comfortable on stage, Elise Testone just captured the audience and the judges.  Great, great ending. Yep, Stephen she blew it out of the water.  Elise answered Jessica’s challenge.

So a night that started out very slow, continued to be shaky through the middle, finished with a big bang.  The triumvirate of Shannon Magrane, Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone dominated the night.  Skylar Laine‘s very savvy choice of a rock song, spectacularly executed, gave us hope in the middle of the show.  Based on tonight’s performances, these four ladies should move on to the Top 12, joined by Hollie Cavanaugh. If that happens the judges will add either Brielle Von Hugel or Erika Van Pelt as the sixth girl.

Join us this weekend as we analyze this week’s results and start to handicap the field in American Idol Season 11.

 

 

 

 

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American Idol Season 11 Top 24

February 24, 2012 By 2 Comments

Well, American Idol Season 11 is in our hands now.   After an agonizing two nights of acceptance and rejection, the American Idol judges revealed their Top 24.  Now Randy, J-Lo and Stephen can sit back for the next two months and encourage, make meaningless comments and provide star power.  I pretty much agree with all of the decisions, except for the decision to eliminate Christian musician Jermaine Jones.  Not only was his rejection agonizing to experience, this hulking bass gospel boomer was one of the most unique voices I have ever heard on American Idol. Jermaine’s falsetto is deeper than the bottom of Scott McCreery‘s bass.

But in a shocking turn of events American Idol announced that Jermaine Jones, David Leathers, Richie Law and Johnny Keyser   have a chance to become the 13th guy in the American Idol Season 11 Top 12.  Yeah, I am confused as well.  I don’t know how the 13th Idol will be selected.  I do know that I hope, beyond hope, that Jermaine Jones makes that 13th spot.

Oh well, next week We get the vote.  The American Idol Season 11 Top 12 13 guys will perform for our votes and then, on Wednesday night, the Top 12 girls will perform.  Thursday night our votes will take us to a Top 10 and then the judges will select the final 2 that will make up or Top 12.  However, given the history of these American Idol judges, I bet we wind up with a Top 13.

American Idol Season 11 Top 12 Girls

Baylie Brown
Brielle Von Hugel
Chelsea Sorrell
Elise Testone
Erika Van Pelt
Hallie Day
Haley Johnson
Hollie Cavanaugh
Jen Hirsh
Jessica Sanchez
Shannon Magrane
Skylar Laine

American Idol Season 11 Top 12 Guys

Aaron Marcellus
Adam Brock
Chase Likens
Creighton Fraker
Heejun Han
DeAndre Brackensick
Eben Franckewitz
Jeremy Rasado
Joshua Ledet
Colton Dixon
Phil Phillips
Reed Grimm

We have, so far, identified 10 Christian musicians in the American Idol Season 11 Top 24. We believe several more of the Top 24 are believers but we cannot find any evidence to verify our instinct. Here are your Christian musicians going to the live shows:

Christian Musicians in American Idol’s Top 24

Baylie Brown
Chelsea Sorrell
Hallie Day
Aaron Marcellus
Adam Brock
Chase Likens
Eben Frankewitz
Jeremy Rasado
Joshua Ledet
Colton Dixon

Last year, at this time, I pegged Christian musicians Scott McCreery and Lauren Alaina as the ones to beat for American Idol Season 10.  This year is not so clear.

From what I have seen, there are two stand out singers among the girls: Jessica Sanchez and Jen Hirsh. They will surely make it into the American Idol Season 11 Top 12.  I think we will see only one of the three country singing girls (Baylie Brown, Chelsea Sorrel and Skylar Laine) emerge from next week’s vote. That leaves three spots for the girls and I think it will all depend on which ones deliver show stopping performances.

For the guys, Christian musicians Joshua Ledet and Colton Dixon are contenders to win it all.  I think Jeremy Rasado‘s personality and soulful voice will carry him into the American Idol Season 11 Top 12.  The big question is whether Eben Frankewtiz‘s Justin Beiber looks will compel the teenage vote to drive him into the Top 12.  And where does that leave Adam Brock, Creighton Fraker, Aaron Marcellus, Reed Grimm and Phil Phillips.  I don’t know the answer to that question but it does look like we have another American Idol season with a stronger group of guys than girls.

I will live blog next weeks performances from Los Angeles so we will be running a couple of hours later than usual but be sure to check-in on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for my reactions in the moment.  And don’t forget to vote.

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American Idol Groups in Hollywood and Vegas

February 18, 2012 By 1 Comment

It was a good week in Hollywood and Vegas for Christian musicians on American Idol Season 11.  In the four hours of American Idol this week just about all of our Christian musicians received a lot of love and we even had a Chelsea Sorrell sighting, no performance footage just a sighting. After a sluggish first week in Hollywood we had a whirlwind four hours with Hollywood week groups and final individual performances, the room cuts, a trip to Vegas for a another group round and more final cuts.  We went from 160 contestants to start the group round down to 40 Idol hopefuls by the time the bus pulled out of Vegas.

Baylie Brown, Chase Likens, Eben Franckweitz, Aaron Marcellus, Jeremy Rosado and Colton Dixon all received some screen time and did well.  Aaron Marcellus drove one of the best group performances in Hollywood as Group Sauce slammed through “Hold On (I’m Coming)”.  His solo started the judges whooping and cheering. Jeremy Rosado and Eben Franckewitz shined with their Hollywood group’s version of “Mercy” and Jeremy Rosdao thrilled us again in Vegas when his group performed an intricate version of “Rockin’ Robin”.  However there were three significant developments this week for Christian musicians.

The Emergence of Joshua Ledet

We had not seen Joshua Ledet on American Idol Season 11 until his Hollywood group performed. Then he hit the stage with 697 singing “Hit ‘Em Up Style” and blew everyone else’s socks off. Then during the Vegas group performance of “Blue Suede Shoes” he blew up that song with a sick gospel run in the middle of the song. If all of that was not enough Joshua Ledet stamped himself as a serious contender for American Idol Season 11 with this performance of “Jar of Hearts”:

Adam Brock Asserts His Gospel Blues Cred

Early on Adam Brock said that people have told him there is an old black woman blues singer in his white body. This week he backed up that claim with this performance of “Georgia On My Mind”:

Adam Brock backed that performance up with his Vegas group arrangement of “Great Balls of Fire” that brought the house down.

Jermaine Johnson Channels God’s Voice

Gospel singer Jermaine Johnson caused my jaw to drop and hang open with his exquisite delivery of “Make It Easy On Yourself.”  His deep bass and perfect pitch is one of the most unique voices I have ever heard on American Idol. The performance was made more difficult because of his paring with one of American Idol Season 11′s “villians” Richie Law. Through the difficult preparation, Jermaine Johnson was gentle and patient with Richie’s strong will and demands to dominate preparations. No matter their struggles, watch this stunning performance:

So we have at least a dozen strong Christian musicians in the American Idol Season 11 Top 40 so watch next week as the Top 40 deliver their last performances before the judges make their final decisions. Then check back with us next week for further analysis and re-cap.

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American Idol Season 11 Hollywood Week

February 11, 2012 By 2 Comments

My overall assessment of American Idol Season 11 Hollywood Week is too short and not enough.  The episodes were too short and there were not enough performances.  Thursday’s group night episode had no group performances, and really, not even that much drama.  We did not really learn much about any of the performers on Thursday night.  There were some who could not find a group, some who wanted to work later than others and some who monoplized their groups. Nothing new there.

Christian Musicians on American Idol Season 11

Several Christian musicians were featured during Round 1 when more than 160 hopefuls were sent home.  Texan Baylie Brown sang a country song I don’t know and  Baltimore’s Hallie Day sang “Natural Woman”.  Both of them slayed the judges and were passed on through to the group round. Jazz singer Adam Brock unleashed his big, soulful voice on “Walkin’ In Memphis”, to the delight of Jennifer Lopez and the other judges.  Aaron Marcellus unleashed a run so powerful that the American Idol judges stopped him before I could identify the song.  Finally, Jeremy Rasado delivered a soft lilting rendition of “Superstar” that brought goosebumps to Jennifer’s arms.

Nothing more than fleeting, background appearances on either episode by Colton Dixon, Chelsea Sorrell, Chase Likens or Eben Frankewiez.  Let’s hope we get to see them in their group performances this week.

We did identify another Christina musician in American Idol Season 11.  We did not see him this week so keep an eye out for him during the group performances next week.

Joshua Ledet

A 19 year-old son of a preacher man from southern Louisiana. Joshua Ledet (think “lay debt”) seems to be the story book American Idol contestant.  He is a college student he can sing and has a dream. Let’s hope Joshua gets to some face time next week because we have yet to see him on the screen.

 

 

 

 

Join me next week for another re-cap of American Idol Season 11 Hollywood Week.  Let’s hope we see more performances and less drama.

If you know any Christian musicians on American Idol Season 11 please send us a comment.  We will follow them throughout Season 11 and cheer them on to success.

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American Idol Season 11 Christian Performers

February 4, 2012 By 3 Comments

American Idol is back for Season 11 and we at One21music are back for our fourth year of coverage. However, as we did in Seasons 8, 9 and 10 we will take a little different slant. We will identify and focus on Christian musicians competing in American Idol Season 11. So far we have identified nine American Idol Season 11 contestants who are Christian musicians. If you know of any other believers who have made it to Hollywood, please let us know. We would love to feature them through out Season11.

American Idol Season 11’s Hollywood theater of torture is upon us. It starts on Thursday February 8th. The American Idol judges will narrow the Hollywood field down to 40 for a trip to Las Vegas.  American Idol Season 11 will then announce the Top 24 semi-finalists after Las Vegas. We then begin voting on live performances on March 1.

We will research the American Idol Season 11 hopefuls to find those who profess their faith in Christ, and then we will follow their progress, with you, throughout American Idol Season 11. As we head into Hollywood week, keep your eyes open for these Christian musicians we have found so far.

American Idol Season 10 Christian Performers

Aaron Marcellus Sanders

We don’t know much about Aaron Sanders but we do know he is a member of Aaron Marcellus and The Will Band, a soul, pop group featured on Bonnafide Radio.  The Atlanta, Georgia native made it to Hollywood in American Idol Season 10.  Aaron Sanders auditioned in Pittsburgh.

 

 

 

 

Adam Brock

Christian musician Adam Brock sings jazz musician and is the featured vocalist for the Trinity Jazz Orchestra.  The Pittsburgh native lists Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Staple Singers, Kim Burrell, Clark Sisters, Vickie Winans, Kurt Elling, Adele and Beyonce as influences. As you might expect Adam Brock auditioned in Pittsburgh as well.

 

 

 

 

Baylie Brown

Christian musician Baylie Brown made it to Hollywood in Season 6 as a 16 year-old girl from a small town who craved the big city.  Since then this Krum, Texas native moved to Nashville was signed by Universal South music and has pursued a career as a professional country singer.  Baylie Brown reemerged as an experienced, adult musician in the Houston auditions.

 

 

 

Chelsea Sorrell

Christian musician Chelsea Sorrell is a veteran from American Idol Season 10 where she made it through Hollywood to Las Vegas.  This North Carolina native auditioned in Savannah and is the lead singer for The Chris Land Band, a local North Carolina band who regularly opens for touring country artists such as Sara Evans and Darius Rucker.

 

 

 

Chase Likens

Christian musician Chase Likens makes a return trip to  American Idol Season 11‘s Hollywood round after the  disappointment of being a Hollywood casualty in American Idol Season 10.  The West Virginia native is a Nashville recording artist who auditioned in Pittsburgh.  Chase Likens is a member of Point Peasant, WV group Youth in Gospel .

 

 

 

Eben Franckewitz

What do you get when you combine a 15 year-old Justin Bieber look alike with a smooth, nuanced singing voice? Well, you get Christian musician Eben Frankewitz, a contestant who makes American Idol producers giddy and will cause quite a buzz among American Idol’s tween demographic.   The Milford, Ohio native traveled to Pittsburgh with his family and proceeded to blow the judges away with his version of “Ain’t No Sunshine”.  If Eben Frankewitz makes it to the live voting, America’s tween girls will carry him far into the competition.

 

 

 

Hallie Day

Christian musician Hallie Day had a long tortuous journey to her Pittsburgh audition.  At 15 she dropped out of high school and moved to New York to head-up an all girl rock group Plum Crazy.  The story goes, as many have, until she hit bottom with a very real suicide attempt.  Today Hallie Day is a 24 year-old newlywed who is a worship song leader at Baltimore’s Second Presbyterian Church.

 

 

 

Jeremy Rosado

Christian musician Jeremy Rosado auditioned in Savannah.  The Valrico, Florida native has auditioned for American Idol five times and finally made it to Hollywood.  A member of Elite Youth Productions, Jeremy Rosado lists himself as a Gospel/Soul artist.  We did not see his audition but be sure to watch for him during Hollywood week.

 

 

 

Michael Colton Dixon

It seems the American Idol judges are trying right what was probably their biggest mistake from Season 10.  Christian musician Colton Dixon was one of the last contestants eliminated before American Idol Season 10 went to live voting and it was a huge mistake.  The good looking young singer was probably a better musician than any of the Top 12 boys and is an effortless singer.  Colton Dixon did not even sign up to audition for American Idol Season 11 but was supporting his sister, Schyler, in her Savannah audition when the judges pulled him into the room, asked him to sing and gave him a ticket to Hollywood.  Let’s see if the judges make the right decision in American Idol Season 11 and give us a chance to vote for Colton Dixon.

 

 

So it is time for the American Idol Season 11 journey to begin for One21music.  Join us as we cover these Christian musicians on their journey.  We will recap the Hollywood episodes each week at this time and then, when American Idol Season 11 goes live with the Top 24 performances we will begin live blogging the performances and providing real time reporting of the results.  We know these are not the only Christian musicians in Hollywood.  If you know Christian musicians who have made it to Hollywood in American Idol Season 11, please drop us a comment and we will add them to the list.

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