American Idol 11 – St. Louis Auditions – Recap and Videos

By On 02/02/2012 · 50 Comments · In American Idol, American Idol 11, American Idol 11 Recaps

Here’s your American Idol 11 St. Louis, MO auditions recap post. I’ll be live blogging tonight at Entertainment Weekly. Do join me there if you’d like! I’ll be back here as soon as the episode ends on the East Coast to post videos, polls and a full recap!

Entertainment Weekly Live Blog

For you chat fans, I also set up a client here if you’d like to gab Idol.

American Idol producers sure love them some Carrie Underwood. And why not?  After she won the 4th Season of Idol she went on to take country music by storm.  Her biggest hits, like “Before He Cheats” crossed over to pop radio. She’s won scads of awards.  And she never forgets where she came from. She’s an awesome ambassador for the show.  So it’s no surprise that producers chose to open the St. Louis auditions with a clip of the journey which brought Carrie  to audition in St. Louis in the summer of 2004.

Tonight’s  final audition city was one of  Idol’s  better episodes so far.  There was  Johnny Keyser, a handsome, charismatic blue-eyed soul singer who had been featured on Idol promos.  And and an uncharacteristically humorous “bad” audition starring an employee of the hotel where auditions were being held.  His co-workers loved him, despite evidence to the contrary.

I personally liked the all-silent bad audition–a super-cute take off on the movie “The Artist” complete with an adorable jumping dog!

 Rachelle Lamb brought some spunk.  Reis Kloeckener and Ethan Jones pulled at the heart strings. Overall, a real nice mix of hopefuls.  But I’m still thrilled the auditions are done. It’s on to the DRAMA of Hollywood next week!

The judges are still rubber stamping (or not) hopefuls in unison.  Oh panel. Please step up your game in the live shows. PLEASE.

Ten thousand hopefuls turned out to audition. Forty-Six hopefuls headed to Hollywood.

GO CARRIE

Carrie Underwood Video

What was up with Walter the Taxi driver? He’s driving down a nearly empty expressway complaining about all the traffic American Idol is going to bring. Alrighty.

Johnny Keyser – A Change Is Gonna Come – 22 – Pompono Beach FL – It’s just Johnny and his dad after his parents divorced.  I wonder what happened to mom?  Johnny was featured in an American Idol promo. You may recall Jennifer Lopez in the promo telling a young hopeful to “Keep on singing!” She does that here, too.   Johnny’s got that sweet blue-eyed soul thing going on, but unfortunately as the trio egg him on to “keep singing” he begins show boating with the runs and riffs. It kinda ruined his performance for me.  Honestly, kiddos? Less is really really more. Still, I look forward to seeing what Johnny can deliver in Hollywood.  The entire family got to watch him sing for the judges on monitors outside, so it’s a good thing the audition went well.

David Coleman – 28 – St. Louis Park, MN – “The Contestant” – SEND THAT DOG TO HOLLYWOOD! STAT.

Rachelle Lamb - -  Find Somebody New by Faith Hill – When Rachelle first hit my TV screen and began her much too familiar Idol sob story:  Single mom, my man done me wrong, that’s why I’m not a famous star, Idol’s gonna save my career–I was ready to write her off. But dang, girl’s got a big ole country voice with a lot of verve and sass.  If she puts away the sob story now (her kid Madison auditioned right along side mommy. She was cute. But NO)  I may find myself rooting for her.  Steven liked her “moxie”.  Jennifer complimented her pure tone.  3 yeses mean she’s on her way to Hollywood.

Reis Kloeckener – 20 – St. Louis MO – Lean On Me by Bill Withers  -  Reis, a small and shy boy, was constantly bullied in high school.  One of his teachers who heard him sing in the hallways suggested he try out for the school choir. When he was accepted, his life completely turned around. Finally, he found a place where he belonged.  Sounds like a real life Glee story, doesn’t it?  Reis has an interesting tone.  Very sweet.  Steven said it was so beautiful, it almost made him cry. Reis was completely overwhelmed by the compliments.  He’s got potential, but doesn’t seem to have much experience outside of school.  I’m afraid he’ll be eaten alive in Hollywood. I have to say I find it a little ironic that Idol would highlight this particular backstory in light of the show’s  history of bullying sad deluded singers.  Maybe sharing Reis’ story is a way to make amends.  And also jump on to the “It Gets Better” bandwagon.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Ethan Jones – 22 – Pontoon Beach, IL -  I’ll Be by Edwin McCain – Ethan’s dad had to go to rehab for alcohol and drug problems, something Steven Tyler can relate to.  “He can be a power of example to you and everyone else around him,” says Steven, “I work hard to do that as well.” It’s a touching story that serves to humanize Ethan.  Otherwise, I would find myself not caring a bit for this generic boy and his bland version of “I’ll Be”–a song that needs to be banned from Idol forever.  Randy is once again saying stupid sh*t.  “You walk in…you look nothing like the way you sound.”  Is that Randy’s new catch phrase? Because it’s idiotic.  I wanted to forget Ethan the Living Ken Doll, but when a tear slid down his cheek as he told his dad the good news over the phone,  (3 yeses mean Hollywood!)  I found myself rooting for him. Damn you Idol!

Mark Ingram – 28 – Conninsville, IL – “Over Joyed” by Stevie Wonder -  Mark works at the hotel where the auditions are taking place, so he’s got a built in cheering section. The staff gathers in the audition room to watch Mark sing. They swear their co-worker is  fantastic.  And, of course he’s not.  For the first bar or two I have a little hope,  but once he goes for the high notes, his voice turns into an annoying squawk–like the way a changing teenage voice might crack.  By the end of the song, he’s barely singing in tune   Nevertheless, the hotel staff thought he sang great!  Mark begs for another chance, and is even worse on the 2nd tune, “Part Time Lover”.  Randy says “You aren’t quite ready for this.”  Uh. YEAH.  One co-worker that Ryan cornered was semi-honest, “He needs a little work.” Ya think? “But he’ll be back next year. Nooooo! Mark is an object lesson in how bad singers stay deluded. ENABLERS!

Lauren Gray – 22 – Hardy AR – “One and Only” by Adele -  Lauren’s family owns a one-stop wedding shop.   A daddy’s girl, she sings with her father in a southern rock band on the weekend.  It’s always been Dad’s dream that she make it on Idol.  Ryan is surprised that rock dude dad runs a floral shop. I’m surprised he cares about American Idol at all.  Lauren describes her voice as bluesy, and to say she belted out the song would be an understatement. She’s shouty in a really unpleasant way.  Maybe she’s nervous, but if she weren’t pushing it to the brink, she’d have something. I can hear a nice tone in there, and her phrasing has some neat little inflections.  The judges were all “wow”.  Jennifer wipes her eye, “I didn’t need to hear that song right now.”  Adele’s got her thinking of the exes, I assume.   Steven doesn’t care that her voice broke. He considers her fearless.  Randy echoes the sentiment, “You’ve got to be willing to take chances and jump off that ledge as a singer.”  “You’re one of the best female voices we’ve heard,” says Jennifer. Three yeses and Lauren is on her way to Hollywood.

 
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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SYFK77IYLRQIVATQ2MJKSW2J7Y Pam

    Wow.  What a nice intro package that was.  It’s hard to believe how far Carrie has come since her win.  I’m guessing that since Milwaukee wasn’t on the audition list this year is one of the reasons why we haven’t seen a bigger feature for Scotty. 

  • http://twitter.com/RonnieDRocks Ronnie D

    Aren’t they showing Madonnas video tonight?

  • Anonymous

    Oh Johhny Keyser you sure are a cutey!! 

  • Anonymous

    100 Proof in background nice for Kellie Pickler.  I like that they are using idols music in this way.

  • http://twitter.com/RonnieDRocks Ronnie D

    The one kid that was bullied made me tear up as well. He had a good voice!

  • Anonymous

    How could they save the best audition show for last.  

    they honored the show’s past with both the Carrie tribute and the montage of famous train wrecks. If feels like we’ve seen more contestants, and the show has been funny, without being mean. The sob stories aren’t over the top. It’s an enjoyable episode.

    Best of all, they didn’t play the entire Madonna video.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1468223561 Jim Benson

    Um Johnny Keyser is your next American Idol.  Hes got the look and has the pipes to go with it…Hes already top 5 and Hollywood week hasnt even aired yet.  Damn

  • Anonymous

    Much better than last night.  I liked a lot of the singers. I liked johnny Kaiser, ethan jones, and the country girl singer with her little girl. But over all this what much more enjoyable than last night. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1468223561 Jim Benson

    Wow Lauren Gray that freakin awesome too

  • luvadamlambert

    1st guy was cute
    Goddd I miss the old judges too much
    The last ones talent was exaggerated
    Carrie’s great obviously
    My Backstorys were waaaay overrated
    My favorite was the country girl with the cute daughter

  • Anonymous

    Reminder, spoilers need to be kept in spoiler posts.

  • Anonymous

    Come on… that many spoilers!!!! please delete it

  • Anonymous

    Thank you!  I have read the spoilers but many haven’t and would like to stay unspoilered. 

  • Kesia Monteith

    From someone who already knows who is in the top 24…I’m kinda annoyed with all the spoilers in a non spoiler thread.

  • windmills

    I LOVE that they showed Carrie some love and played a Kellie song. So, I probably shouldn’t be complaining….but I don’t think they could’ve chosen Carrie and Kellie songs with more inappropriate lyrics for the moments they were showing if they’d tried. I mean, we got all this cute footage of Carrie leaving for her St. Louis audition and a montage of what’s happened since then and in the background we hear “I wanna undo it!”?????

    Then we’ve got Rachelle whose soon to be ex-husband held her back from her dreams, and they play a Kellie song about being “drunk on the beautiful truth, yeah we got love, 100 proof”. Um. Not anymore!

    Then at the end, the montage of contestants who made it to Hollywood with Cowboy Casanova in the background “You better run for your lives!” Huh??

    The thing is Carrie has a song that’s perfect for that introductory montage: Crazy Dreams (“Hello you longshots, dark horse runners, hairbrush singers, dashboard drummers, hello you wild magnolias just waiting to bloom. There’s a little bit of all that inside of me & you, thank God even crazy dreams come true”). And, they could have played Kellie’s Tough, or As Long As I Never See You Again from her new album, or Where’s Tammy Wynette would’ve worked just fine.

    But, it’s the thought that counts! I love that they’re featuring songs by Idol singers and that Carrie video was really cute.

    This was a good auditions episode to watch from beginning to end. I really liked Rachelle, Ethan, and Lauren. Rachelle’s got great tone and I like her phrasing. Ethan was just really likeable IMO – classy audition and he made an overdone song sound honest and real. Lauren gave me Kelly-level likeable vibes and I loved her song choice – big potential there. Reis has potential too – I don’t normally go for melisma but he had some strong phrasing there.

  • Anonymous

    Well starting next week, I won’t read the Hollywood thread, since somebody can just mention that this and this people won’t make it.

    Right now, I really don’t remember who’s who anyway.

    When Michael Phelps was at Beijing Olympic, I stop watching live TV, Internet, radio, etc since the West Coast had to wait 3 hours for his competition.
    I did not get spoiled once. That was really hard though.

  • Anonymous

    I hope Lauren and Johnny make it through HW.

  • Kesia Monteith

    I absolutely adore Lauren Gray. That raspy tone of voice, and all that power just killed me! Good Lawd, that woman is awesome. I’ll buy a record of that voice in a heartbeat. 

  • Anonymous

    NO SPOILERS IN THIS THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Believe it or not, there are fans WHO WANT TO BE SURPRISED when the Green mile airs! If you want to talk spoilers TAKE IT TO THE SPOILER POST PINNED UP TOP.

  • http://twitter.com/ealbino ealbino

    Did you see spoilers or are you just hoping?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IHIRO4P2ZPNQFGMK5KR57VH3E4 Nanc

    I apologize….I wasn’t aware of the spoiler rule…so sorry:(

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_X5MFW5AZRKGSJZ4YII2TZUSJCM SallyinChicago

    Johnny can get by just on looks!  He had too many runs, but he was good.  But — remember Casey James? I thought he was the SH**T**Z but where is he today?

  • Anonymous

     Kesia, you’re so funny!  Totally agree!!!

  • Anonymous

    I know for me I want to be surprised this time.  Even though I have read spoilers in the past.  It’s kinda like deciding whether to view that ultrasound picture on baby’s gender.  lol… I was yes tell me, yes tell me, hella don’t tell me!!!  lol…

  • http://twitter.com/KariannHart Kariann Hart

    Tonight was a good show – not as good as Pittsburg, but there were several talented singers who I can picture in the TOP 24.  The backstories weren’t overdone.  The judging could have been better.  We’ll see how helpful and honest the judges are in the Hollywood rounds.  Some people will not devote four days a week to Reality Shows.  With The Voice coming onto the scene, Idol needs to step up its game!

  • Anonymous

    Glad to hear the consensus was that this episode was a good one :) I actually haven’t watched yet, just got off of work, but I was wondering, did they show a clip for Hollywood next week? If so, what was it like?

  • Anonymous

    Lots of crying, an ambulance, stress…lots of drama!

  • Anonymous

    The best part was the beginning with Carrie and the end with the Hollywood preview. I think that Hollywood is so hard just because all these people think they make it, they are good and then, they are faced with all the “good” singers and some just can’t handle the pressure.

    Can’t wait for next week.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_S3ZGXZCUE2YYOS7QV6QSTKM4SA buffynut2001

    OMG! No menton of Madonna’s song or video!! It was horrible!!!!!!!!

  • Kylee

    The previews for next week look good! Can’t wait!

  • Anonymous

    That’s sooo true. We watch them run out into the arms of proud family members with more belief in themselves then ever. Then comes Hollywood week. Those really good ones with the dream but no performance background (not even YouTube vids) are probably among the 1st to drop. The pressure must be intense for them…especially when they have to sing in front of better contestants with true “it” factor.

    The only unfair aspect to me is the requirement to never forget lyrics. While you should be able to stand out in a group, it is unfair to expect everyone to remember lyrics in less than 24 hours. We’ve seen people like Haley and Kat McPhee go completely blank so it baffles me when people like Bailey (s6) don’t get second chances.

  • Anonymous

    I think the “not forgetting the lyrics” is not a hard rule.

    The judges will forgive their so called favorites and enforce the rule on some other non-favorites. Even Simon heard Carrie Underwood forgot the lyrics in Hollywood week and the judges just ignored it. Scotty of course forgot the lyrics too, but it was not a country song, I think, so that was OK. :)

  • Anonymous

    Never been able to stand Carrie Underwood.  I think she’s a phony.  She can certainly sing, but I never hear her talk without itching to smack her.  Ugh. 

  • Anonymous

    I will comment on it! WTF was that? Time to go back into retirement, Madonna!

  • shuey

    Lauren Gray was the only video i watched more then once!!!!! I dont see her name on the top 24 list …so sad :( shes good.

  • Anonymous

    Im sure others would agree with your comment if you re-type it in the Top 24 Spoiler thread where it belongs.

    Lol, why is it so hard for some of us to see that discussing the Top 24 in a recap thread BEFORE it airs on TV is like spoiling the end of a movie? The auditions just wrapped up…let fellow fans enjoy the ride…

  • Anonymous

    nuts of wonder is definitely a country song. it’s i hope you dance by leann womack. 

  • Valentin432

    46 golden tickets in St. Louis, 18 Men and 28 Women.

    Total for the auditions:
    302 Golden tickets, 107 Men and 195 Women.

  • Anonymous

    For crap’s sake, JLo, have you not seen enough of show business — and of American Idol — to know that a lot of people with really great voices are *not* “gonna be big” and “gonna have a huge career”? Seriously. All this seemingly naive smokeblowing from people who clearly know better is driving me crazy ….

  • fuzzywuzzy

    Twice as many women as men were put through to Hollywood?  Interesting.

    Randy is once again saying stupid sh*t.  “You walk in…you look nothing
    like the way you sound.”  Is that Randy’s new catch phrase? Because it’s
    idiotic.

    IKR?  I think that Randy has always been an idiot and he’s just showing it more now that he’s lost the “dawg” stuff.  lol

  • Kirsten

    That last shirt Randy was wearing made my eyes water.

    I’ve concluded that Randy must have a secret skill as a seamstress. I can’t imagine anybody else would think that shirt was a good idea, so he must have made it himself. 

    I liked Johnny Keyser and Lauren Gray. I thought the silent-movie bad audition was actually pretty fun.

    The old guy driving the car and providing running commentary was a hoot.

  • Anonymous

    Reminder:

    I’m going to begin BANNING PEOPLE who post spoilers in the recap threads. THERE ARE FANS WHO DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED!!!!

    It’s common sense people!

  • Anonymous

    Since odds are the spoilers are not wrong, this is my prediction for the season…
    Top 5 girls-
    1. Baylie Brown- Amazing voice that she can do wonders with. They actually SHOWED her audition, and she is a LOCK. Comparison to last year- Lauren or Pia
    2. Jessica Sanchez- Already a lot of anticipation to hear her sing again, since AGT, a great semi finals performance, and a strong fan base= LOCK. Comparison to last year- Thia and Pia mix
    3. Hallie Day- She has a big voice and a lot of fans already. She is almost definately making the t10. (I don’t like her, but hey, we all have different tastes… Comparison to last year- Haley? or maybe Jacob?
    4. Hollie Cavanaugh- What can I say about Hollie? I loved her last year, and I can only imagine her voice has matured from last year. I’m sure she’s astonishing now. Comparison to last year- Lauren or Pia
    5. Chelsea Sorrel- LOL SHE IS SO LIKABLE!!! She has a bubbly personality, but not so much that she gets annoying, like that brittany girl from wednesday, not kellog, the other one… Comparison to last year- Karen
    Top 5 guys-
    1. Reed Grimm- I’ll say it again… Pure entertainment!!! He will make the live shows fun to watch with his performances. I mean, if you watched his audition and didn’t smile, you must not have a soul. Comparison to last year- Casey
    2. Colton Dixon- This kid is gonna have girls on him like glue. Problem is, I didn’t hear any improvement from last year… don’t kill me, but I really don’t think I like him this year at all. Comparison to last year- HMMMMM…. Maybe James?
    3. Phil2- This guy is good. But he could come out and belch The Climb while licking a lollipop and riding a unicycle and he would make the top 10. Comparison to last year- Girls will vote for him as well, so Scotty? Or Casey I guess…
    4. Eben Frankewitz- Nice kid with a decent voice. He will be eaten up later in the competition, but I’m gonna say he’s fine for now. Comparison to last year- Paul?
    5. Aaron Sanders- Let’s face it, this guy is good. REALLY good. As in, could be winner, but let’s not get our hopes up. Comparison to last year- IDK about this one 
    WILD CARDS-
    1. Heejun Han- Will likely be Stephens pick. He did well on the WC song, and he is a very likeable person. Comparison to last year- Jacob
    2. Deandre Brackensick- Jlos pick WILL be Deandre. I’m gonna call it right now. Comparison to last year- STEFANO
    3. Shannon Magrane- Randy’s pick is a tough one. I’m stuck between Shannon Haley or erika, But I’m gonna go with my gut. Comparison to last year- Ashthon
    Finals:
    13- Shannon eliminated, as everyone knew would happen to this wild card pick.
    12- Eben is eliminated in another non-shocker. Get’s eaten alive by all the other talent. Kid, give it a couple of years before you try out for anything else. Let your voice change.
    11- Another girl is eliminated, and while I’d love to say Hallie, I think it will be Chelsea. We have our top 10!
    10- Heejun can’t advance past 10th place, Randy and Stephen want to save him, But surprisingly, Jlo says nope.
    9- SHOCKER!!! The person going home is… Baylie Brown. But, of course, luckily, the judges use the save.
    9&8- Deandre falls out in 9th place, and Aaron goes in 8th.
    7- Since our percieved frontrunner never wins, Out goes Phil in another shock elimination
    6- Colton messes up on a song. America gives him another chance. Goodbye Jessica Sanchez. Our top 5 is Reed, Baylie, Colton, Hollie, and Hallie
    5- I was beginning to worry she would win or something! Hallie is Out.
    4- In the battle for the coveted top 3 spot, Colton just barely misses. Out goes colton.
    3- We all know there will be a guy in the finals, so out goes hollie. I really don’t like saying that, as reed is my third pick, hollie my first. Gotta be realistic.
    Finale- Listen, I REALLY hope Baylie wins. As in, Really want her to win, but I’m not sure… It’s gonna be close. Who do u think would win between reed and Baylie?

  • Anonymous

    Ethan needs to try out next year. He’s cute. I like him :)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IHIRO4P2ZPNQFGMK5KR57VH3E4 Nanc

    Ok….my spoiler post has NOTHING on this one…..dang dude

  • Anonymous

    It’s not any different from when Simon told Jazzlyn on x factor that she could be a worldwide star.”

  • Anonymous

    Yep. I’m just going right ahead and banning people who spoil in this post.

  • happyhexer

    I think I just figured out one of the contestants who didn’t make it (by an inference from a comment).  Don’t want to say too much in case others didn’t catch it.  MJ, you should DELETE ALL the spoiler comments.  I no longer intend to read any AI11 threads here.  I want to enjoy the show.

    Very disappointed, as I avoid like the plague the threads that are listed as spoiler threads.  I’ve read other AI audition threads here before and never encountered spoilers.  Now I’m kind of afraid to read The Voice threads (as well as the AI threads), in case someone spoils those threads, too.

    I’m like Ratna12.  I do the radio silence thing during the Olympics to keep the surprises intact.  Oh, well.  Less time at MJs = more time away from the Internet doing others thing with real life friends.  Much healthier, I’m sure.

  • happyhexer

    I’ll add one more thing.  I had to miss last week’s auditions and had no way to record them, so it was doubly disappointing to encounter spoilers.