Season 9 Preview: Heather Todd

This is our continuation of our preview of possible Season 9 contestants. Remember, that the Hollywood round doesn’t occur until January 9th this year. We don’t know how far any of these contestants might go. And since we never see some of the competition round contestants until the competition starts, we might never see some of these people.

Number 12 : Heather Todd
Hometown: Arkansas
Style: Rock

Pictures/Myspace/Links after the jump


Picture
EP On iTunes
Myspace

A frequent “type” on American Idol, is the red-haired “rocker chick” (with varying levels of credibility). Season 1 had Nikki (F3). Season 2 had Vanessa (F12). Season 3 had Amy (F10). Season 6 had Gina (F9). Season 8 had Allison (F4). Either red-hair dye is part of the job description, confers some magical ability or somebody on the AI production staff has a soft spot for that type (please don’t turn this into a referendum on those red-haired singers. Let’s just accept that some are better than others).

Is Heather Todd going to be the red-haired “rocker chick” for this season? Well, on the one hand she has managed in the past to get some airplay as an Indie artist which is not easy, so she may have some “X-Factor”. On the other hand, at least one reader is bound to listen to her Myspace and think “dime a dozen”. The fact is, it’s often a matter of luck to make it in the music business. For almost everybody who makes it, there are lots of people like them toiling away in local bars, theatres and churches (Hello, Susan Boyle). You have to get noticed at the right time in the right place by the right people. Then, all the extra bells and whistles that comes with exposure and a major label can get you enough attention so that people listen to what you have to sing and find out how talented you are. Sometimes, that right place and right time and right people is American Idol.

So, do I think Heather Todd is something special? Not from her Myspace, but it’s possible with a bit of polishing that she could sparkle more. It’s tough out there for a female rocker. Just check the airplay list for any of the rock formats and it’s a real sausage-fest. But, again, female rocker fills a niche in the American Idol demographic. Perhaps she will be cast to add a bit of contrast in a season that seems to feature a lot of singer/songwriter/mellow types. Plus, they have to cast people to be eliminated leaving room for the people they would really prefer to have win. Perhaps I’m being too harsh, she’s not bad. She’s just missing some je ne c’est quoi for me. Not everybody will appeal to everybody. And some people grow and blossom on American Idol. Some fans like that.

What do you think?

Thanks to itsalleternal for the tip.

About Kirsten 3060 Articles
Kirsten has had a long love affair with numbers. Marry that with her love of cheese and the Numbers Threads at MJs were born.