🎵 2022-04-11 04:16:28 – Paris/France.
Eleven years ago, Jimmie Allen auditioned for American Idol and made it to Hollywood, but was cut right before the live tours. However, the star-making show still opened doors for her. And now, as one of country music's brightest new stars – and one of many black country artists, along with Darius Rucker, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton, Allison Russell, Brittney Spencer, Breland and Rhiannon Giddens , which are opening open houses in Nashville — Jimmie returned to Idol Sunday, as the top 24 performed for the U.S. votes for the first time this season.
And the ACM Awards New Male Artist of the Year and CMA Awards New Artist of the Year shared a touching moment with fellow black country singer and season 24 top 20 hopeful Mike Parker, who s It truly felt historic and who passed the torch, and had everyone – including Jimmie and Mike themselves – in tears. "[Jimmie's] journey is what inspires millions of people like me," an emotional Mike explained.
Country star Jimmie Allen and contestant Mike Parker break down in tears during the 'American Idol' Season 20 rehearsal. (Photo: ABC)
Mike had already decided to perform his idol Jimmie's hit "Best Shot" - the first debut single from a black artist to top the Billboard Country Airplay chart - before he even knew that Jimmie was this week's mentor. So Mike got the shock of his life when Jimmie comically bumped into him in Hawaii, where this week's top 24 took place. But when they finally had the chance to have a one-on-one meeting, Mike explained more seriously to Jimmie than when he was looking for his own musical identity, "I dug a lot – I looked at a lot of your interviews, man, and how you viewed country music yourself. Mike described the epiphany he experienced studying Jimmie's career as "life changing" and the chance to work with Jimmie as a "dream come true".
Tears immediately rolled down Jimmie's cheeks as he told Mike, “Hearing you tell me I'm an inspiration reminds me of my purpose. Later, after Mike performed Jimmie's No. 1 hit beautifully with Jimmie openly crying in the audience, the stunned judges barely commented. "Thank you for making me not have to judge!" … I could just enjoy the birth of you as an artist,” Luke said, while Katy Perry said, “That experience really helped you come up. … We don't need to criticize you; we have only to congratulate you. Instead, the judges let Jimmie do the talking.
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“For him to tell me that I mean to him what Charley Pride meant to me is more than I could have asked for,” confessed a stifled Jimmie, who dueted with pioneer Charley Pride at the CMAs Awards 2020 (in what became to be Pride's final public performance) and presented Pride with a Lifetime Achievement Award that evening. " So thanks. And thank you for continuing what me, Charley, Mickey, Kane and Darius want to see in this kind of music.
“He made me feel like there was a place for me in country music. I will remember this day until I leave this Earth,” Mike said. Although it looks like Mike is a shoo-in to qualify for the top 20 live rounds after that magical moment, whatever happens next on the show, he's clearly already won.
However, Mike had fierce competition this Sunday, as 11 other contestants performed songs of their choice on the outdoor stage at Disney's Aulani Resort - both for a live audience of Mai Tai tourists and, just as importantly, for voters watching at home. . Let's evaluate those performances and make some tough elimination predictions…
Jay Copeland, "I Want You Back"
I don't think Jay's slow, slow take on the classic Jackson 5 zippy did him any favors (Lionel Richie questioned the song choice), though he picked up the pace and pumped up the jam mid -way. He deftly worked the crowd ("Can I get a real good shot?" he urged at one point), and Lionel seemed amused by his display of old-fashioned showmanship, but the overall effect was very old fashioned, very Justin Guarini circa Season 1. And all those ad-libbing and riffs at the end were totally unnecessary; Luke once again said that Jay had "extended too much" and warned him: "Make sure you structure your songs to bring out the best parts of your voice. Katy also wondered out loud who Jay "might be as an artist…I don't know yet," which wasn't a good sign.
Elli Rowe, "Everywhere"
Jimmie loved Elli's solo acoustic rehearsal of Fleetwood Mac's seductive, ethereal song and recommended her not do it with full band accompaniment – but she either ignored his advice or had no choice in the matter. I will say that the band held back and didn't overpower her, and Elli's sweetness and subtlety after Jay's showboating was refreshing. (Katy was "thrilled" by Elli's "beautiful and angelic" presence, and Luke said it "felt like a moment.") due to nerves; Luke even pointed out that "a few notes weren't quite there."
Tristen Gressett, "With a little help from my friends"
Doing his second Beatles song of the season – albeit a Joe Cocker-inspired version, in this case – this 17-year-old who host Ryan Seacrest described as “wise beyond his years” ordered without awe the scene with his high kicks in white jeans and jokes. “Is there a priest or pastor in the house? Because you are possesses. You are a monster ! Katy exclaimed, taking that as a great compliment; she also called Tristen a "rock star." Lionel even compared the spinning microphone Tristen to Steven Tyler. Yes, there were times when Tristen looked more like John Belushi parodying Joe Cocker in that famous SNL little, but for the most part he harnessed his theatrics in earnest. Let's face it, every Idol the season needs a great token rocker, whether it's Caleb Johnson, Casey Bishop or Cade Foehner… and I'm glad this season it's Tristen. He is very funny.
Scarlet, "Levitation"
I totally dug Alanis' attitudinal, off-balance cover of Scarlet last week, which suited her better than Dua Lipa's light-hearted disco-dolly hit this time around. I felt that the fast verses of “Levitating” tripped her up and never stuck with her low register. (Katy thought the start was too quiet but said Scarlet "eventually got there," while Luke said Scarlet "started off a little weird" and told her to "button up your note choices and make sure that each one of them is well thought out". ) However, Scarlet has carry out like a pro, clearly feeding off the energy of the cheering and possibly tipsy crowd, and Katy told him, “You have the perspective and vision of a true artist. Personally, I found this effort disappointing. I prefer Scarlet in angry rocker-chick mode.
Sage, "Jolene"
Even country superstar Jimmie admitted he would be nervous singing this "great song from a great artist", but Sage had nothing to worry about. Borrowing a little from the dark and brooding remake of the White Stripes (she'd be a great signing for Jack White's Third Man Records label, come to think of it), Sage authoritatively delivered what Katy called a "very hypnotic rendition" of Dolly Parton. classic and what Jimmie called a "big surprise". Katy and Luke were certain this 'special artistry' would make it into the top five, and I hope they're right - but I'm afraid Sage, due to his previous lack of screen time, also flew under the radar this season. Hopefully, this compelling and masterful performance was enough to finally get viewers to notice.
Danielle Finn, "Your Song"
After Katy called Danielle's Showstoppers performance "rough" and her worst yet, Danielle really needed some redemption this week. Unfortunately it was not the way to do it. While I thought the judges were way too hard on this undeniably talented kid before, I absolutely hated Sunday's goofy "super-jazzy" remake of one of Elton John's most beloved ballads. Danielle took way too many liberties with the iconic melody and showed up with way too many runs, and then she punctuated the whole mess with a really wonky note near the end. Although Katy loved this performance, oddly, I think Danielle got into her head too much, tried way too hard, and ultimately screwed it all up. " I heard you thoughtLionel noted, telling Danielle to “get your brain out of the performance” next time. But I don't know if there will be being an other time.
Emyrson Flora, "Angels Like You"
The season's youngest contestant with one of the season's most mature voices, 16-year-old Emyrson delivered a big, bold and confident performance from Miley Cyrus. plastic hearts power ballad. Luke said it was one of his favorite performances of the whole season, Lionel called Emyrson a "star" with a "future in this business", and Katy said she was "vibrating on a whole new level ". I really think Emyrson is the dark horse of season 20. And if she continues like this, she might go from dark horse to favori.
Dan Marshall, "Paradise"
Dan wanted to play his guitar, but the judges and Jimmie advised him not to rely on that "crutch", so he finally gave up the ax - and was still just as dull and wooden. Not even serenading his girlfriend in the audience could draw the charisma or passion of this vanilla dude. Ironically, Katy later admitted Dan probably would have been better off playing guitar after all, saying she could "feel the stiffness" and nervousness. Luke agreed that Dan had let his nerves “reservoir” his performance and diplomatically told Dan, “Some of the big notes at the end… miiiiight not be your way. But people will probably vote for this generic country football player anyway. Sigh. "It wasn't your best performance, but I don't think it hurt you either," Luke shrugged.
Jacob Moran, "In My Blood"
Jacob is a technician who has one of the strongest and purest male voices this season - Luke described this performance as "high-level singing" - but a great voice may not be enough. Jacob has had a less than generous edit this season, and he doesn't have the huge personality to match his huge pipes. However, he delivered a solid, connected rendition of this over-the-top Shawn Mendes anthem and received a standing ovation from the judges. I don't know if this is the end of the road for Jacob, but ever since he got cut in Hollywood when he was on Idol two years ago, at least he got to Hawaii this time.
Huntress, "Banjo"
Doing her second Rascal Flatts song of the season but ditching the “safety blanket” of her own guitar, Huntergirl gave a fun and feisty performance that seemed to thrill Luke, her biggest fan on the panel. She came across as a little star, giving off Lauren Alaina vibes, and Katy told her, “You know how to work the crowd. People want to party with you. je want to party with you! But you know, this show isn't called american party. I don't think Huntergirl - after all her hype as Season 20's first platinum ticket recipient, followed disappointingly by a surprisingly flimsy week in Hollywood - should have opted for such a lightweight, disposable device...
SOURCE: Reviews News
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