by  Arthur Perkins
 
Last night had a few of the better performances in the overall competition. David Hasselhoff elected to enter in a black cowboy hat and black leather coat (not exactly what cowboys wore but certainly what celebrities today wear).
 
Let's start with the better acts going on to Las Vegas:
 
The evening started well with Mark, John and JC 44 to 55 in age who were long-term friends calling themselves the Texas Tenors. Only two of them are tenors, the third a noticeable baritone, but I am not going to criticize them for a stretch name. These guys can sing close harmonies very well. I am impressed by their talent and see them making it a long way in this competition, maybe top 5.
 
Live In Color was only on the screen briefly but they are a group of maybe 10 dancers in colorful costumes. The judges said yes, but how could I tell?
 
AcroDunk is 5 high energy male athletes age 27 to 45 who jump off a small trampoline, fly through the air and pass a basketball (many quite difficult) multiple times while obeying they rules of basketball before dunking on a regulation 10 foot high hoop. Each of the 5 has incredible control of the motion of their body. This act was thoroughly entertaining. I cannot see it winning the entire competition, but it will go a long way.
 
Anna Pipoyan is a belly dancer. I was not entertained in the least by her act of shaking parts of her body to appropriate music, but the judges were.
 
Eclipse, 20 yom, is a fast rapper. I thought his act was merely OK, but the judges liked it more.
 
Eleisha Miller, 8 yof, singer and keyboard player. Her keyboard music was fairly simple but her singing was interesting and complex. Sharon and Piers both stated that her voice is weak and needs further work. She needs her voice to develop more to be really great, but her stage presence, humor and effervescence are very good right now. She will go far because she is cute, funny and very brash. Sharon voted no but the other judges yes, so she is going to Las Vegas.
 
Timez Two, brothers each 27 (how about twins?), sings to a funky syncopated beat. They are good, but only cannon fodder for the next  few rounds. I cannot see them making it to the round of 10. Again, an unusual split vote by the judges with Piers voting against and the others for Times Two.
 
Grandma Lee, 75 yof, is a real character. She is a comedian, telling very pithy funny jokes which may not be original but her delivery is. During the discussion preceding the voting, Grandma Lee states that "people say Piers is the mean one, but I think he's cute" and "Who's the Grandma? (clearly referencing Piers again). Everybody got the joke. She's moving ahead.
 
Barbara Padilla - an excellent singer who chose opera aria "O mio babbino caro"from Puccini's Gianni Schichi to sing for the audience. Her voice is well-trained and she has excellent control of it. I see her as top 5.
 
Here are the acts that did not gain a coveted Las Vegas spot:
 
Bruce Thomas, 51 yom, hand musician, playing Yankee Doodle. the uniqueness of his talent was not fully appreciated by the judges.
 
Flutists Charmaine? and Erica, 21 and 26 yof, performed just OK.
 
Crispy Family Carnival, a large man and two females, they stapled money all over his body and he hung hooked weights off his nipples. Who wants to see that? Nick Cannon didn't and I don't. The judges agreed.
 
Ruby Revue, 3 females age 21 to 26, saw their performance obliterated by continuing problems on the stage.
 
So, it's time for a forecast of which of the better acts will do particularly well. I see Barbara Padilla and the Texas Tenors going to the Final 5 and Eleisha Miller to the Top 20.