American Idol Audition: Cadence Baker Potential Top 10 Says Luke Bryan

(ABC/Eric McCandless) CADENCE BAKER

Music runs through Cadence Baker’s blood. Her grandfather Gary Baker wrote the R&B hit “I Swear” by All-4-One which was also recorded by country singer, John Michael Montgomery. The songwriter also co-penned “I’m Already There” for Lonestar and played in Marie Osmond’s band.

Cadence’s father, Shane is also a musician, and accompanied his daughter for her American Idol audition in front of judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan

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Gary gives Cadence words of encouragement on a Zoom call. “You go in there and you show ’em what you got. You’ve worked so hard. You deserve this!” 

Eighteen year old Cadence, a Muscle Shoals, Alabama native, describes how she’s been singing since she was 4 years old. “Coming from a musical family, it’s hard to pop out of that shadow,” she explains. “Hopefully the judges see that I am my own artist and that I do have what it takes.”

Although Cadence is from the South, and comes from a Country and Christian music background, she covers “I’m Your Baby Tonight” by Whitney Houston. Her version is soulful, but she plays with the melody, adding touches of jazz and pop. In the last chorus, she improvises, showing off an impressive range.

“Potentially Top 10”

Lionel compliments her father’s guitar playing, “He came in with such a pocket! That pocket was so tight.” Dad is blown away by the compliments. “And then your daughter just stepped right in the pocket. I loved it,” he says.

Katy notes how singers waltz in thinking they can cover Whitney. She’s ready to show them the door before they even start. But Katy calls Cadence’s rendition “amazing,” adding that the young singer could have taken the song a step higher. “You’ve got so much gas in that tank…you’ve got a lot of stuff.” 

Luke calls it one of the best auditions he’s seen. “I wrote potentially Top 10 down,” he says. “That was awesome. awesome. awesome.” And Cadence is going to Hollywood.

Watch Cadence Baker cover “I’m Your Baby Tonight” with her father on guitar

About mj santilli 34829 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!