A one-hour documentary called From Idol to Inspiration will air on the Gospel Music Channel this Thursday, April 23, 2009. 
The film “explores the effect of the Fox network singing competition on Christian music.”  I think that is an interesting topic because I have thought about it myself over the years.  There are times, actually, when I’ve thought that Idol had a greater impact on Gospel and Country music than within the Pop genre.
Several familiar faces have participated in the film – Mandisa, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle and Maria Santiago, the sister-in-law of this year’s finalist, Danny …read more

Remember Chris Sligh from season 6 of American Idol?  If you were a fan, you’ll be happy to hear about his recent collaboration.  Last April, Chris and Clint Lagerberg wrote “Here Comes Goodbye” which will be the first single from the next Rascal Flatts album Unstoppable.
Of the song, Chris said: "He had the idea, ‘What if we treated goodbye like a person?’  We sat down and took it from there, painted this whole picture. I remembering sitting after we finished it and thinking, ‘This song is going to make a lot of women cry.’"
I’m really looking forward to hearing …read more

Okay, so hear me out before you start feverishly writing me some hate mail. This is a long post, but there’s lots to say and I need to get it out of my system, so here goes.
I liked Chris Sligh. In fact, I’m not even sure that I don’t still like him. I’m just confused. While he was still competing, I began to get a little annoyed by his refusal to take responsibility for his rhythm issues. His singing and the band’s playing were rarely unified. Rather than take the criticism and work to change it, he made excuses. Ugh. …read more

Will it be tonight? Will it finally happen and we can all be relieved when Sanjaya is voted off? He’s a joke of American Idol now. Granted, at this point he’s not much further above William Hung with regards to talent and respect on the show. When Ryan Seacrest is making jokes of you and coming out with his hair in a faux-hawk, something is definitely wrong here!
I’m looking forward to the live performance tonight from Gwen Stefani. Can’t wait to see what she’s wearing and what she’s singing.
I think the ones to worry about tonight are going to be …read more

The theme for tonight’s show is No Doubt music and the songs that inspired No Doubt. Gwen Stefani is a “pop superstar”. I’ve liked her music with their album “Tragic Kingdom”. I haven’t stayed as quite in touch with Gwen since she’s been on her solo stint, but have enjoyed the songs of hers that I have heard. I also like a couple of her songs that she’s done with Brian Setzer.
LaKisha Jones
She’s doing some Donna Summer song this evening. Not sure what it is about LaKisha, but she’s just not wowing me anymore with her performances. She can still …read more

We start the second half with Jordin Sparks who answers a viewer question and the song that names her life is “I’m So Excited” by the Pointer Sisters.
Jordin Sparks – “I Who Have Nothing”
LuLu says she’s only 17 and is amazing. Jordin is one of the contestants in this season’s group who’s style seems to have completely changed. Her appearance style, not necessarily her vocal style. Her vocals have continued to become stronger and stronger in my opinion. She has absolutely amazing power for such a young performance. She’s belting out these notes and not wavering at all on these …read more

Probably the most entertaining performer to watch from the guys, but his performance didn’t do much for me at all Tuesday night.

Forgetting the words didn’t help at all, but Brandon’s performance as a whole left much to be desired. Only proved by the point that he was actually voted out by viewers before Sanjaya.

I used to put Chris in the same category with Blake Lewis, but now it seems he’s shifted to more of a country, nasal singer. Too squeaky for me. Probably not a bad separation though, always comparing him to Blake wouldn’t be good for his career either.

Welcome back to the second half of my review of the American Idol guy’s performances this week. 
Jared Cotter
Before the break we hear that some Stevie Wonder is coming out with Jared Cotter’s performance tonight. Jared played Division II college basketball. When he realized he wasn’t going to make it in the NBA, he gave it up and began pursuing music. He’s got some weird facial expressions when he sings, kind of reminds me of how it looks like Michael Bolton is going to give himself an aneurysm.

Randy: solid performance, was worried about doing Stevie, but it was good
Paula: thinks he needs …read more

Ryan starts off the show by congratulating Jennifer Hudson for her Oscar, American Idol’s first! Jeff Foxworthy is in the audience tonight. Is it country night? After seeing Sanjaya Malakar’s outfit, I’m putting my money down on him singing a Michael Jackson song. We’re quickly reducing the field of contestants to 6. The lowest two vote getters will be going home, leaving us with eight. Tonight’s show has the contestants dedicating their song to the people that inspire them.
Phil Stacey: 29 from Jacksonville, FL
Phil Stacey sings “I Ain’t Missing You At All” by John Waite. I still think this guy …read more

Considering I live in Indianapolis, an interesting news story on tonight’s local news was about which Idols are Colts fans as opposed to Chicago Bears fans.
Here are the Colts fans:

Chris Sligh
Jordin Sparks

I knew I liked both of them for a good reason.
Does Jordin Sparks remind anyone else besides me of Kimberley Locke?