by Todd Betzold

 

With 70 singers left, they take a break from Hollywood and head off to Las Vegas tonight on American Idol as the performance challenges kick off tonight.

 

They'll be singing music from the 1950s or 1960s on the Viva Elvis stage. Before leaving for Vegas, the singers had to put themselves in groups of three or four, so of course that means more drama for Fox to promote.

 

The groups will sing and then immediately be given results right away. Up first is a group with Cari Quoyeser, Chase Likens, Skylar Laine and Colton Dixon. Skylar struggled in rehearsal with the lyrics, but she worked it out during the performance. They all did great and I really enjoyed Cari. Well, the judges thought Cari was shaky and she was sent home, but Chase, Skylar and Colton will be moving on.

 

They met in the Savannah auditions and now they get to take the stage together in Vegas...will the new friends be separated after this? David Leather, Jr., Jeremy Rosado, Ariel Sprague and Gabi Carrubba did an awesome job together and I am loving these songs. Awesome job means they all move on to the next round.

 

Next group: Adam Brock, Erika Van Pelt, Angie Zeiderman and Shelby Tweten. These songs are so entertaining, but I feel the other group members overshadowed Shelby. Randy drug it out, but they all are moving on as well.

 

Schyler Dixon, Brielle Von Hugel and Molly Hunt made the old sexy bugle boy-look even sexier, but I was not impressed by any of them. The judges thought Brielle and Schyler stood out and moved both of them to the next round, but Molly was sent home.

 

The trend continued of people going home, as Wayne Wilson, Ashley Robles, Stephanie Renae, Aubrey Deckmeyer, Janelle Arthur and Tina Torres...all sent home!

 

Reed Grimm, Elise Testone, Haley Johnson and Eben Franckewitz are up next and I am so loving Reed. He is great on that stage and I can so see him on Broadway. He stole the show, but they all did an excellent job...so excellent they got a standing ovation from all three judges, so of course they all are moving on.

 

The only two-person group, Richie Law and Jermaine Jones, join forces with their baritone voices. Richie is so full of himself and even questions the vocal coach...he bothers me. Maybe it's because I don't like him, but I feel Richie was completely outshined by Jermaine...will I be right this time? They loved them both, so they both move on. Some other singers moving on: Hallie Day, Baylie Brown and Chelsea Sorrell.

 

The last group to perform for Day One is singing a Buddy Holly song and they change it up, in order to make it more modern, but will the judges like it? Jessica Sanchez, Deandre Brackensick and Candice Glover take the stage and put on a strong performance, but with two strong female voices, Deandre seemed out of place, but they loved them all and the three of them move on.

 

So, end of Day One performances and the singers who moved on are brought back out onto the stage and told not to get too comfortable. Depending on the performances of Day Two, some of them still can be sent home...oh Idol and your unneeded drama.

 

Performing an Elvis song on the Elvis stage, Clayton Farhat, Scott Dangerfield, Adam Lee Decker and Curtis Gray are the first group to take the stage on Day Two. This was a good performance, but at the same time it is a fun song and can be kind of karaoke at times. Scott, Clayton and Adam make it through and Curtis will be heading home.

 

We see some quick results: one four-person group, which includes Joshua Sanders and Caleb Johnson, all make it through. Joshua Ledet and Shannon also move on to the next round.

 

They all met in Portland and now Courtney Williams, Britnee Kellogg and Jessica Phillips take the stage together in Vegas. Feeling the are all seasoned singers and didn't want to waste the band's time, they were the only group to not meet with them before going on stage...will that show? The judges liked it, but said they didn't seem to know the melody...maybe meeting the band would have helped them! Britnee and Courtney make it through, but Jessica is sent home.

 

The next group is Lauren Gray, Wendy Taylor and Mathenee Treco. They had the help of vocal coach Peggi Blu, who is a bit tough with them all...making them cry...get it together. They all did well, but Wendy stole that stage girl! Lauren and Wendy move on and Mathenee is sent home.

 

One of my favorites, Heejun Han, is next and I just love his personality...so funny. Neco Starr, Jairon Jackson and Phil Phillips join Heejun on stage and slow down the tempo, but do a great job and all move on to the next round.

 

They were Groove Sauce in Hollywood, but now they lost Reed in Vegas...will they do as amazing? Jen Hirsch, Creighton Fraker, Aaron Marcellus and Nick Boddington did a great job holding it together without Reed, even though I love him. Jen, Creighton and Aaron move on, but the judges didn't feel Nick was as strong and is sent home.

 

The groups are done and now they bring back the singers from Day One to make some more cuts because the competition has been so great and now the judges need to get the number to a more workable number, which happens to be 40 singers.

 

So, to add to the singers cut: Gabi Carrubba, Schyler Dixon (Colton's sister), Angie Zeiderman, Candice Glover, Johnny Keyser, Jairon Jackson and Britnee Kellogg...a total of 27 singers were cut. Now we are down to 42 singers until we get to a Top 24 next week.

 

American Idol airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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