Idols to Watch: Adam Lambert, Joanna Pacitti, Brent Keith Smith, Felicia Barton and Ryan Johnson

Yay for Eyecandy Smith, he and Danny are the ones that IÂ ´m looking to see more….

I watched the link to Adam Lambert’s “crazy.” Oh Man. He’s is going to have to tone it down and make it real. I’m not into what he was doing on that stage (in the youtube vid) at all. Kinda gave me the whillies.

More Felicia please in Hollywood!!!

I didn’t like Joanna that much last night and now I really don’t like her. She’s not just trying to be a music star, she just wants to be famous. Why else would she do that MTV show and try to get into headlines by breaking up that guy’s relationship. I’ll root for real people like Adam and Brent.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll root for real people like Adam and Brent.

Take a look at the “crazy” link that MJ has for Adam. He seems to be the opposite of real to me.

Take a look at the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“crazyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  link that MJ has for Adam. He seems to be the opposite of real to me.

I hope we see the “real” Adam on the show… What will happen when he, as a person and a singer is emotionally bare? That could be a moment. Hope it happens with at least one of the above.

If Ryan Johnson’s band is touring now, doesn’t that mean that he got cut in Hollywood? Unless the band is touring without him, but their website doesn’t say anything about another vocalist.

Brent looks so familiar to me. And I’ve never watched Nashville Star so I don’t think that’s where I’ve seen him. I just can’t place where I’ve seen him and it’s driving me crazy!

Plant city, here they come!

Felicia Barton is likeable, but it drives me nuts to hear kids sing hoarsely like that. There’s no way her voice will hold up during a long tour.

Now people – that portrayal of Crazy by Adam was JUST like Jasons – come on – wasnt it? LOL LOL – wow – uh NO – oh gosh that was Jasons polar opposite but the guy can sing, that cannot be denied. He will most definitely have to tone it down I would say.

I listened to Felicia Barton’s stripped down version of Alicia Key’s ‘No One’ before it was pulled from YouTube and was very impressed.

Hmmm, I’m callin it early, provided they both make the top twelve….glam-rock guy vs. Christian-rock guy, possible final two, with country dude being an outside bet. Adam can be OTT and sticks out like a sore thumb, which can be good or bad depending who you talk to, and Ryan’s cute with a nice chill voice, and they both seem to have a lot of performance experience. I don’t think I’ve ever watched so many of the auditions before…this should be new and different.

Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s is going to have to tone it down and make it real.

Ah, but some people are born to let their freak flag fly, and some aren’t. Maybe he’s the former. I think I’ll be more disappointed if we never see the crazy (or Crazy, as the case may be.) And Simon’s reaction, of course. Cuz that will be TV gold.

OK I just realized who Brent reminds me of. Years ago when I watched Guiding Light–he reminds me of the character Josh (I think that was his name.) Sorry, it just hit me.

Not sure how I feel about anyone yet. I think that Danny is still my favorite so far. I’ve never really sat and watched all the audtions all the way through and I haven’t this season either, so usually I don’t really start liking anyone til the top 12 or so. But I like Danny and I also liked Brent.

I agree, I REALLY do not like JoPlanta either.

Hmmm, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m callin it early, provided they both make the top twelveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.glam-rock guy vs. Christian-rock guy, possible final two, with country dude being an outside bet.

Hmm…I really like Ryan Johnson, but honestly, there’s not a lot of money to be made in the Christian music industry. So, my question is, if he makes it far, how is he going to be marketed? In what genre does his voice fit?

I dunno much about the Christian music business, but I think I remember that “I Can Only Imagine” song had big crossover success, didn’t it?

LOL at JoPlanta, too funny. I do not like her at all.

I watched the Crazy video :eek_wp: very entertaining LOL
I wonder if he’ll do that on the show, I hope so.

I really like Felicia Barton I hope she makes it but i’m confused about one thing. Aren’t they supposed to take their Myspace pages down if they make the show? Do I understand that right? I hope the fact that hers is still up doesn’t mean she didn’t make the Hollywood cut.

Yes to the Only Imagine song (in fact I do believe I heard Idol using it in their tryouts show the other night in the background? Which I didn’t like them doing actually because that changes the meaning of it).

So far for me Danny Gokey has top billing. Sure hope he makes it to top ten.

I’ve been a Joanna fan for yearrrrrs now and I can’t wait to see her on the show this year. Unfortunately, it seems she’s going to be the “Carly” of this season…getting all the crap before the show even starts. But I love her album and all the other songs I’ve heard from her. I wish her a lot of luck.

Oh I hope Adam brings the “crazy”, it could be very entertaining – just don’t be spanking any “heinies” like that in front of my kids please?

Tons of “Christian” artists go mainstream. Happens all the time. Matter of fact, there are “Christian” singers/bands out there ruling the charts right now that many people don’t have a clue are rooted in the faith.

Ryan Johnson will be fine.

Go Noop Dog. Really, the rest bore me already.

Go Noop Dog. Really, the rest bore me already.

Agreed. People are underestimating Anoop. He can sing everything from Chris Brown to Brian McKnight to Ozzy Osbourne, and his fanbase is only getting bigger. He has the potential to go far on the show and could really become a dark horse. Although I do like Danny and Adam, all of the girls so far are boring me to tears. I completely see why the judges think the guys have the edge this year. Even if Joanna Pacitti makes the Top 12, I don’t predict she will last long beyond that. I think that during the first three weeks of voting, she will get voted off but the judges will pick her to be in the Top 12 during Wild Card. If she doesn’t get voted off again right away, she will continuously be in the bottom like Kristy Lee until she is finally gone. I think it will be another guy/guy finale this year.

Dr. Tracey, they are supposed to take their music down, but apparently it isn’t really enforced until the Top 36 is announced. And, as long as the music/videos are down, they don’t have to delete their MySpace or anything – several of last year’s contestants had them up the entire time (they just weren’t updated). So it’s fine – plus, Felicia’s music was taken down a while ago (and has stayed down), which I’m hoping is a positive sign.

Of these five… love Felicia & Ryan, neutral toward Adam & Joanna, and I really disliked Brent Keith Smith. I can’t quite put my finger on it yet, but something about him really aggravates me. Which, of course, means he’ll make the Top 4 or so, just to spite me.

More Ryan & Felicia!

So, I’m wondering if Brent Keith Smith is a country artistst? maybe it’s time for a male country star? Is that what AI is looking for this year? We’ll have to stay tuned.uyjhhhhhhhhh

I’m still not getting the Brent love. Does nothing for me.

Adam Lambert’s performance of Crazy is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while. Was that part of the stage show he was in? He has a great voice though. He must camp it up for Simon. I would pay to see that.

I still really like Felicia Barton. Ryan has a nice voice too.

Thanks for the explanation about the Myspace Fender.
Hoping to hear a lot more from Felicia, I like her.

He has the potential to go far on the show and could really become a dark horse.

I hope so…. I really hope so.

I will be wildly happy if the Top 12 is lopsided – male vs female. The guys should seriously outnumber the girls if things were fair. But….

Keepin it real is not the same thing as staying in that mainstream safe zone. It’s clear that Adam likes to play – with gender, with costume, with sexuality, with dramatic flair. IMHO, that openness is very real. Not stuffing anything down and letting it all fly freely. Of course, the bigger question is if America is ready for it. I think many are, and then again, there are many that are not. The fact that Adam is very talented should get him through the door so we, at least get a great show.

I like Brent Keith Smith. He’s got that calm, handsome country charm going that would be great for the show I hope he does well.

More Ryan & Felicia!

Ditto here – I’m liking what I’ve heard so far from both of these guys. Hmmm, I think I spot an unintentional trend. Jason was my fave last year and now these two. All three came from singing in church. Uh oh, and I like Danny Gokey too. Yikes. I’ll go away and analyze myself later….

One thing Jason said that I really liked is that you don’t have to perform only Christian music if you’re a Christian. It’s just about being yourself and performing GOOD music. I think if Ryan and Felicia have similar attitudes they could go far.

Adam’s YouTube videos are distracting me from my homework. :/ It’s so weird. I’m not even sure if I LIKE his voice that much. Technically, it’s very good, but then sometimes it reminds me of Clay Aiken’s, who I wasn’t a fan of. But I can’t stop listening/watching. He’s definitely got charisma!

I liked what little I heard of Felicia last night. I wish we could’ve seen more of her audition. Stupid PTB.

movin2thabeet: I agree with everything you said about Adam Lambert. I love him to death. The only small problem I have with him is that he looks a lot like David Cook, and I want my Cookie to be unique. I doubt Adam will do any more crotch-grabbing until he’s off the show. He’s an actor playing a part, and he will play it like it is scripted.

But… about Brent Keith Smith… I gotta say we don’t need no calm handsome country charm. There’s a lot of that around already.

I’m surprised that Pacitti was not nominated for an Oscar today for her interpretation of The Crying Game. Wow, what a performance. Did anyone fall for it? She had a contract with a major label in 2006, a song in a major Movie that is on many people’s repeat viewing list, and acts as though she’s some kind of underdog? Clearly, everyone learned from the Carly thing last year, but do they or she think playing Sob Story Sally is going to fool anyone with internet access? Her voice is husky and coarse to my ear–good and strong, yes, but IMO too deep and husky (like Carly’s was) to be more than second or third tier talent.

My hope for Adam Lambert is that he keeps it somewhat toned down until (and if) he makes the top 10 for the tour. He should give little glimpses here and there of color and theatrics but not enough to set off alarm bells with the religious right or any others who might turn their nose up at him. But if he makes the top 10? It’s time to pull out stuff like “Crazy” and go 100% David Bowie glam. They’ll vote him out, I’m sure, but he’ll get to go on the tour and move his career forward as himself not an AI robot.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m surprised that Pacitti was not nominated for an Oscar today for her interpretation of The Crying Game. Wow, what a performance. Did anyone fall for it?

Yeah, it all did seem a bit hokey to me. The more I hear about Pacitti, the less I like her. I know she will probably make the Top 12 if TPTB have anything to say about it, but it’s pointless if you ask me. With VFTW up in arms about her, and with the big fanbases that are already forming for many of the guys, there’s no way she’s going to win this.

I have this feeling that while Adam Lambert will be crazy ecstatic if he wins AI, any exposure (especially if he gets on tour) for him is welcome. Growing a fanbase and making a name for himself will help him move up from the chorus and understudy. Also, I could see him going the route of Matt Metzger (who is now a staple on soaps), where he makes AI a springboard to Hollywood.

I barely noticed Brent last night, but I must say that the video of him doing “Found” made me kind of like him. Adam’s videos pretty much cemented the fact hat he won’t be my favorite. Not because he doesn’t have talent – because he clearly does. But, he made Dust in the Wind sound like a song from Phantom of the Opera. He’s not my favorite kind of Idol contestant, but I agree with hypertwink‘s assesment.

He’s obviously groomed himself for a career in musical theatre. In order to advance that – he certainly doesn’t need to win. A few weeks on TV should be enough to get him Broadway work.

While Joanna is certainly not my favorite of the girls, her presence really doesn’t bother me at all. I think I remember seeing some show once about all of that suing the producers of Annie business (right? I didn’t just imagine that, did I?). She’s got a good voice, and her songs are somewhat catchy I guess (although not my taste).

Her past doesn’t make me hate her, but it also doesn’t give her an advantage for me. To me, she’s the same as any other contestant.

Adam and Ryan are my two favorite so far.
ETA – Matt the dueling piano player. Can’t believe I forgot him

Go watch Brents 330 sessions on cmt from the link she posted. He is so good. I love better man. My hopes is the themes will be a little broader so he can sing country. I bet he gets a deal out of this finally that works for him. He has worked his tale of since NS. I dont think he will win just because these types of guys dont usually win. But he does have a huge fanbase even one from a usa message board when ns2 was on. So he has a leg up.

oh and wait until he rocks the electric guitar. Go Brent

Wow, Joanna…. if I needed more fuel to the fire to dislike you….

To me, now, it is just coming across as she is trying too freaking hard.

You know, it failed once(or more than once), in honesty the likelihood of it happening again on the Idol stage is slim to none.

I don’t buy it. They may not have marketed her right the first time on A&M records, but who says they’re going to market her right this time?

The whole thing just feels wrong to me. She tries too hard already, and sometimes when you try too hard you lose focus of what she really wants. This is coming across more and more as a person who just wants to make it big instead of a person who genuinely has a passion for her craft.

I highly doubt idol is going to fall in love with her.

I didn’t love Carly last season, but Joanna in comparison makes me appreciate Carly a whole lot more.

This is coming across more and more as a person who just wants to make it big instead of a person who genuinely has a passion for her craft.

Completely agree on this one. She wreaks of desperation.

I’m ALREADY annoyed by both Von and Adam. They are both way too OTT for me (or as Danny would say, TMTH!), especially Adam.

I’m not a huge fan of Joanna (or Planty McPlantPlant as I like to call her), but her singing doesn’t annoy me. I’d take her over Von and/or Adam.

Well if any of you caught ET tonight, they did a whole segments on Planty McPlantPlant( tm KK) Good Lord it was all about getting a second chance and it tried to paint her as this poor child that was fired from Broadway and how everything just keeps going wrong for her. WHATEVER. I’m already done with her and have only seen her audition. I agree with those of you that said the whole interaction with Planty and the judges was OTT scripted. TPTB are trying real hard to avoid the pitfalls of Snarly last year and take the lead in how this story is being played in the press.

The sob stories seem to be out in full force this year. Usually remember 1 or 2 stories a year. (not that I necessarily remember the stories, just that they are there). It is a complete turn off for me.

It’s interesting that they’re called sob stories when only one of them actually made me…well, sob.

I know that the whole purpose of the backstory is for the person to establish an emotional connection with the members of the viewing audience.

However, I just don’t think the producers know what it means to do it in moderation, meaning one, for most people was probably too many, but in essence, one would have been enough.

I’d actually label Lil’s, Leneshe’s and Kai’s stories backstories, which would mean getting to know a little more about their background.

I do think they realized their mistake with Carly and are trying to avoid going into damage control with JoPlanta by being upfront with everything right away. Will it work?

I do think they realized their mistake with Carly and are trying to avoid going into damage control with JoPlanta by being upfront with everything right away. Will it work?

I wonder…because 1) The way they handled it seemed faker than faker, and 2) They mentioned record-company association but left out her more extensive experience.

Then very sympathetic backstories then.

- Dead wife
- ill child
- left homeless/poverty stricken from a storm (think I got that one right)
- taking care of sick mom
- taking care of mostly deaf grandmother

I didn’t like Adam’s voice in his audition I liked Brent’s better but if this season is going country I’ll lose interest fast…

I actually like Joanna’s voice but knowing her backstory is putting me off her (combined w/how TPTB are trying to edit her to make me like her).

The sob stories are sort of eye-roll-inducing but they are better done than the America’s Got Talent ones (not saying much, I realize.) And, they make the bad auditions less annoying and more comic relief like they should be.

Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s obviously groomed himself for a career in musical theatre.

Actually, he was in a band too, as I recollect. The MySpace songs and youtube vids of the band went poofy soon after the links were posted here on MJs. Methinks AI wants Adam to be the theater dude, at least for now. Eureka, evidence that the band did exist. Tricksy AI.

but they are better done than the Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Got Talent ones (not saying much, I realize.)

No, not saying much at all.

Forgeting the back stories….what did you all think of the Danny Gokey’s singing? Just curious. I really liked him.

Actually, he was in a band too, as I recollect. The MySpace songs and youtube vids of the band went poofy soon after the links were posted here on MJs.

Did you get to see them before they went poof? I’m curious what his band style was like. I understand that the above videos were filmed at a place called the (something?) cabaret, so maybe he was playing to his audience there. Actually, if he can turn that theater persona on and off I’d be kind of impressed.

What did you all think of the Danny Gokeyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s singing? Just curious. I really liked him.

I actually do think that he has one of the best male voices this season. Of course, that’s strictly based on one song I’ve heard, and lots of them do audition with their single best song. It really just makes me want to hear more.

Did you get to see them before they went poof? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m curious what his band style was like. I understand that the above videos were filmed at a place called the (something?) cabaret, so maybe he was playing to his audience there. Actually, if he can turn that theater persona on and off Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be kind of impressed.

I snagged some mp3s of Adam’s band elsewhere, and IMO he definitely sounds less Broadway/cabaret singing with them. He still has a little of the theatrical flair…but..um, I can’t really think of a good way to describe it! I guess the sound is a little bit like The Darkness, maybe? Or like if MIKA fronted a garage band. :laugh_tb:

Joanna Pacciti – Check out her here. The buzz about Joanna started early. She hit the New York tabs back in 1996 when at the age of 12, she was fired from a Broadway production of Annie. Her family sued the producers of the production, who settled for an undisclosed sum. Not only was signed by A&M records, as Kara mentioned in Joannaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s audition, but thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more: She appeared on the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Legally Blondà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  soundtrack in 2001. In 2003, she appeared on MTVà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s True Life, which followed three kids trying to break into the music business. She tried acting, and then in 2006, was signed to Geffen Records, releasing a single à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Let It Slide.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  The album that followed, This Crazy Life, made an appearance on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, but then disappeared. Her song à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Out From Underà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  was covered by Britney Spears for her hit album, Circus. Also, rumor has it she broke up DWTS pro Mark Ballas and his girlfriend. Wiki, MySpace, Video1, Video2, Video3

Okay, I’m a conspiracy theorist. Something’s not right here. She’s had break after break (and I liked her on Idol) and break after break and she’s till not famous? or still doesn’t have a contract…..hm….could we have a personality defect?

Here’s what Adam’s MySpace page had to say about his musical stylings: “A musical chameleon, he seamlessly maneuvers in and out of pop, rock, R&B, soul, electronic, and adult contemporary genres. Influences include Freddy Mercury, Robert Plant, Donny Hathaway, Steve Perry. Moreover, Adam has also self-produced a growing number of original electro-pop tracks.”

Another interesting tidbit from the page: “His creative turning point was being cast in a six-month European tour of the musical Hair. Adam dove into hippie era history and paralleled with his very own summer of love complete with a major spiritual expansion.”

Some more photos of the various faces of Adam: http://thumbsnap.com/v/Vsspps40.jpg
http://thumbsnap.com/v/TNRMNjSZ.jpg

Very intriguing. Chameleon, eh? Sounds like he could totally ace this American Idol game.

Okay, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m a conspiracy theorist. Somethingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not right here. Sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s had break after break (and I liked her on Idol) and break after break and sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s till not famous? or still doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a contractà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦..hmà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.could we have a personality defect?

EXACTLY. I mean how many times are you trying to beat this dead horse? It didn’t work, MOVE ON.

Why can’t she just be content being a musician to a small fanbase? Why does it HAVE to be the next big thing? I understand that it might not pay the bills and she may have goals she wants to achieve, but don’t you have to draw the line somewhere?

As of 1/11 when I talked to Mark Ballas about Joanna at a Ballas Hough Band concert they were still dating and he said she made Top 36. He also said top 36 was decided awhile ago. He said he will be in the audience to support her since Idol shares a building with the DWTS soundstage (if she makes top 12). I think she has a good voice but I’ll wait to hear more before deciding whether or not I’ll vote for her.

movin2thabeet re: Adam,

Very intriguing. Chameleon, eh? Sounds like he could totally ace this American Idol game.

Aren’t they looking for originality and musical identity this year? Remember Kady Malloy? who seemed to do everything but herself last year?

He is certainly going to be interesting to watch to see what happens.

Remember Kady Malloy? who seemed to do everything but herself last year?

I don’t think Kady knew who she was, so when she turned off Britney, she had no idea what else to do.

Even with all of the YouTube videos and whatever else we’ve been able to garnish, I don’t think we’ve truly seen who Adam Lambert is. That’s why I’m reluctant to jump on that bandwagon. Yes, I absolutely love being entertained live, and he drips charisma in his performances. But, I’d also love to experience that while listening to his music. That was part of my problem with Taylor Hicks.

I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds.