American Idol GIRLS NIGHT!

Tonight you may have missed my live tweets at www.twitter.com/feliciabarton however, it was for a good reason...my little boy Malachi turned 3!!!! So unfortunately, Idol took a second place slot for me tonight....but don't worry I DVR'd it!!! So the night started with Katie Stevens singing a slightly "pitchy" version of Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." She has such a natural talent, but I agree that the song may have been too BIG for her. Next up to bat was Siobhan Magnus snging "House of the Rising Sun," she sang with such technical precision and I honestly really liked the song choice! Not to mention, she sang with such conviction...that is how you compete in a competition like American Idol...she is a thrill to watch every week. Continuing with Great song choices Lacy Brown sang Brandi Carlisle's "The Story." I totally agreed with Ellen when she said that it sounded like the song could have been written for her! So last week, I hung on every note that Katelyn Epperly sang, but this week I thought she picked the WRONG SONG! not to mention I don't think she should have stood up while playing, and the song just stayed in one place for me....agreed with Kara where it was almost like she didn't compete this week!...Sill a fan, want to hear her do "The Scientist" again!!! Didi Benami sang a Fleetwood Mac song, and SOUNDED AMAZING! She was totally connected the entire time...THIS WAS HER BEST ON THE SHOW SO FAR!!! This week her tears where happy tears! Paige Miles came to the stage singing "Smile" but unfortunately forgot to actually SMILE.....honestly this performance is what I have been seeing from the beginning and why I have thought she should have been gone week 1....she has done much better, but it was just an unfortunate night for her. Bringing the night back up, Crystal Bowersox sang "Give me one Reason" and made me believe once again that she can WIN THIS SHOW! Closing the show out tonight Lilly Scott sang "I fall to pieces" playing a mandolin, which is kinda cool, and I will say it again..."I will buy her record." So my favorite of the night is a Crytal Bowersox, however a close second for me was Didi Benami, Lacey Brown, and Siobhan Magnus....ok so l actually enjoyed more than one! Unfortunately, I think Katie Stevens and Paige Miles are up for elimination on Thursday.....for live commentary and to keep up to date on my journey please follow me at www.twitter.com/feliciabarton www.facebook.com/feliciabarton and myspace.com/feliciabarton

American IDOL RESULTS

Singing the Black Eyed Peas SMASH HIT "I got a feeling," the TOP 20 of Season 9 started off the show with a positive attitude at least hoping for the best for this week's elimination . The feeling must not have been too good for John Park, as he sang his farewell reprise of "Gravity" by John Mayer....on a side note...his goodbye performance was much better than Tues. night's performance....my humble piece of advice to any "current idol" contestants that for some reason may be reading this blog....SING LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SING EVERY TIME YOU GET ON THAT STAGE!....I mean it's almost as if they lose the nerves and actually relax and then, of course, do a much better job! The next contestant to leave us this week was....Jermaine Sellers, who was possibly given the boot because of his mouth....it's unfortunate, because he wasn't a terrible singer, but I think his attitude and mouth did turn off the viewers. Before the girls found out their fate on the Idol Stage, my fellow season 8 contestant and friend, DANNY GOKEY, sang his single, "My Best Days." He hits the road tomorrow with Sugarland....anybody going to hit the tour? The first girl to go is Michelle Delamore, who Kara told during the elimination, that she didn't do as great as they thought in the moment...I think they heard what we heard, when we were all shocked she got as great of comments as she did...she has such a nice natural talent and beauty, I am sure she will do GREAT things! The last girl to go was our cute little Haley Vaughn...I think she got priceless advice last night from Kara, when she said she needs to take a year and develop as an artist....and work on her gift...Keep smiling Haley!!!! We all really love that you are full of joy! Continue to follow me on twitter.com/feliciabarton facebook.com/feliciabarton and myspace.com/feliciabarton

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE!!!! TOP 10 GIRLS!!!!

Tonight on Idol we were all excited to see that Crystal Bowersox was feeling better and back on the stage, and SOUNDED GREAT! Next up was the "flower headband creator" Haley Vaughn who, in my opinion, sang VERY PITCHY!!! I was really hoping for more vocally, because she has an "it factor" as far as possibility to be a star...she is "likeable." Fellow Season 8 contestant, Lacey Brown, who was given the boot during Hollywood last year, is back this season and I am a FAN!...tonight she sang "Kiss Me," which was a GREAT song choice, but I do think she dealt with some nerves and will need to step up the performance side in order to make it thru the competition! 17-year old, Katie Stevens was up next singing my original audition song "Put Your Records on" which was pretty good....unfortunately for her she is a 17 year old that likes older music, but is being forced into a young pop box. LET HER BE WHO SHE WANTS TO BE AS AN ARTIST!!!! Trying to bring her "star-meter" up Didi sang "Lean on Me," but may have messed with the melody of a classic song too much! She sounded great, but overall was just an O.K. performance. Michelle Delamore took a risk singing "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed....did the risk pay off? we shall see! I agree with Randy when he said "it fell flat," however Kara and Simon kinda like it saying she got 80% of it right! So hmmm what do you think? Lilly Scott proved again that this is the "season for unique artists." I personally really loved it, so much in fact, that I am READY TO BUY HER RECORD!!! So I thought Crystal Bowersox was going to be my favorite of the night, but when Katelyn Epperly sang I seriously hung on every note! SHE WAS AMAZING! I honestly don't understand where the judges got off saying anything negative about her performance...for me it was pretty flawless! Next in the line up was Paige Miles, who sang Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away." Why do I always find myself agreeing with Simon...I think her song was "forgettable" as well. She has a good voice, but will need to step it up to make thru this competition. Closing out the night was Siobhan Magnus, who is just as cute as can be, and had a technically GREAT performance last week. This week she again brought an interesting performance.....and agreeing with Simon, the first half was rough, but that last note was INCREDIBLE!
So who do you think is going home this week? All I know is that it won't be Katelyn Epperly or Crystal Bowersox!!!!

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE!!!! TOP 10 BOYS!!!!

So, this week on Idol we got a little reversed with the boys being on Tuesday and girls on Wednesday. They say it is because Crystal Bowersox is sick, which we do wish her the best, however I think it is because last week the girls bored us and then the show was saved by the guys night! HA! so regardless GOOD CALL!!! MICHAEL LYNCH!!!! brought the house down...he started off the show with a BAM!...I mean REALLY performed the song, even received a standing ovation from Randy, along with amazing comments from every other judge! Next up to bat with a better song choice, was John Park but there was something still missing, maybe it was John Mayer singing Gravity instead of him. UGH!...I was really hoping for more, kinda trying too hard?...what did you guys think? Honestly just a little confusing for me. Then in classic Casey James form, he wisk's every woman away into Casey land, by KILLING his guitar...he did seem a little uncomfortable singing, but I would just like for him to pull his hair back next week! and wisk me back to Casey land! On a side note, I really am enjoying Ellen's comments! WELCOME TO THE PANEL ELLEN! YES.....Alex Lambert...getting better and better every week....I really LOVE his voice, and love Simon's comment about getting a killer instinct and taking part in the competition...believing that he can WIN THIS! Toddrick Hall brought us back with some Tina Turner singing "What's Love got to do with it"....ending with some great falsetto, he was kinda pitchy throughout but honestly, I really like that he changes up arrangements, it makes me sit and go "what is gonna do with this song!" Maybe it is the musician in me that likes that kinda stuff, but the average listener wants things more simple? HMMM. Ok so right about now in the show I was interrupted by my husband shaving his beard which totally threw me off for a few minutes, but then Jermaine Sellers brought me back with his cool voice, however his personality is coming across a little "cocky," or maybe it was just doing too much like the judges said! With Andrew Garcia singing James Morrison he came across a little bored, but I am still a fan....but really needs to watch the pitchiness...yikes...not my favorite performance for him but shouldn't worry about leaving this week! WOW ME NEXT WEEK ANDREW!!!! Bringing more confidence? YES..Aaron Kelly sang "My Girl" this week, he consistently shows that he has a great natural talent, however I can't wait to hear him sing something more relevant and modern. Making up for last week's um....well not so good performance, Tim Urban really did a GREAT JOB! picking a GREAT song!....not to mention I think he is going to pick up the teeny bopper vote...unfortunately, the judges did not feel it so much except for Simon...which I agreed with! So...Lee Dewyze the "nice guy who made bad decisions," got the last spot of the night...I was hoping for a MUCH LESS PITCHY performance and I kinda got it? I mean he has a cool sound cool vibe, but at the end of the day he needs to vocally improve! FAV boy of the night....MICHAEL LYNCH...my prediction is that John Park is gonna be leaving us this week along with Tim Urban, Aaron Kelly....until next time please follow me on twitter at twitter.com/feliciabarton myspace.com/feliciabarton and facebook.com/feliciabarton

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE!!!! TOP 12 BOYS!!!!

Alright so I was kinda excited about the top 12 guys and then somewhere around 8:45 I was wishing I was doing live commentary for the FOX hit 24 and Jack Bauer was performing...and as Tyler Grady graced the stage and brought us back to the 70's my husband made the comment that this couldn't be the TOP 24 performers out of the 100,000 auditions!!! Finally Michael Lynch brought some energy to the stage with a cool sound. I love a good soulful singer that doesn't just do R&B, however I wasn't a fan of Simon's comments. Todrick Hall started the evening off with a HUGE risk redoing the Kelly Clarkson SMASH "Since you've been gone."
Followed by an average performance by Aaron Kelly singing Rascal Flats "Here Comes Goodbye"...he has a pretty good voice, but it kinda came across nervous....which I know first hand! Jermaine Sellers had to make up for his "throwing the band under the bus" moment in Hollywood, but at the end of the day I kinda think he came across a little cocky! Tim Urban sang "Apologize" and should have have stayed away from the whole head voice thing he has a current look, but was not the best song choice! I was definitely a fan of Joe Munoz....he showed amazing control for me he was top 4 of the night! One of the most confusing moments for me was listening to the comments from the judges regarding Lee Dewyze...he was SO PITCHY! and Simon loved him for some reason...his ears were not working!! Singing "God Bless the Child" John Park did an OK job...I hope it was good enough to keep him in the competition because I want to hear more!!!
Onto the new Lambert, Alex looked pretty bored thru the song, I think he has a cool sound but is an immature performer, so hopefully he will grow through the show!
Now I don't know where to start with Casey James....well let me just say this..my husband has a ponytail and plays guitar too, so I have an honest crush on this boy, but he looks like my hubby so it's OK! HAHA!...seriously though! LOVED HIM! FAV OF THE NIGHT!!! like Kara said, "EAR CANDY AND EYE CANDY." While on Idol, everyone always wonders who is gonna get the "pimp" spot as we call it the coveted last singer of the evening...which went to (drum roll) Andrew Garcia...well let's be honest we knew that was going to happen, and it is well deserved. Although he did not do as well as I had hoped, he held his own and we all know he is not going anywhere anytime soon!!! So Andrew Garcia if you are reading my blog...relax, enjoy every moment, and just re-do Paula Abdul songs all season long and make those judges happy! For LIVE commentary thru the show and to keep up to date on my journey please follow me on twtitter.com/feliciabarton facebook.com/feliciabarton and myspace.com/feliciabarton

AMERICAN IDOL LIVE!!!! GIRLS TOP 12

First of all, I cannot believe that this time last year I was in LA doing exactly what I am watching on TV tonight!...So besides taking in the talent and not so talented this evening, I also kinda took a walk down memory lane!....but enough about me and season 8 let's chat about the top 12 girls of season 9

The evening started with Paige Miles, which by the end of the night I had kinda forgotten about....I mean she wasn't terrible, but I think if asked Simon would retract his statement about her being the best female singer!
Then came Ashley Rodriguez singing Mariah Carey...and she was good, but got kinda pitchy when she pushed vocally. I only agreed with the judges a few times tonight, but when they said Janelle Wheeler sang the wrong song I agreed ....she should go with a "Bubbly" kinda song
So my fav of the night!!!!.....LILLY SCOTT!...interesting song choice cool sound, but the reason I love her so much is because she was SO ORIGINAL!!! I felt like she knows exactly who she is and went for that! Another killer voice of the night was Katelyn Epperly....she sounded great but I definitely agreed with the comments about her going back to the more "natural look." Haley Vaughn should be a Disney artist, you can't really fault her for being happy, but it was a little much....however, I would rather see the smile as to seeing a frown! I was really hoping Lacey Brown would have received better comments...I thought her song choice was great, and her performance got better as the song continued.....I am really hoping makes it through this week and gets another chance! Last year I sang "No One" by Alicia Keys and this year Michelle Delamor pulled out an Alicia Keys cut as well! she sang AMAZING...but I would like to see her try something a little less predictable! Our Season 7 Brook White look-a-like Didi Benami picked the perfect song unlike some of the other girls, but not to sure about the Joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat sweater-vest....but hey...to each his own...Siobhan Magnus is definitely original...and her confidence was GREAT too...not to mention out of all of the girls she was technically AWESOME!!!! However, if we want to talk about authenticity Crystal Bowersox is the pick!...she, along with her guitar and harmonica, rocked the night with originality and authenticity. Ending the night with a Michael Buble smash, Katie Stevens sang amazing, but left us all wanting to see a more "young and hip" artist with her being only 17!...So my favs are Lilly Scott, and Katelyn Epperly followed by Michelle and Siobhan....I think the ones that may be packing their bags are Paige Miles, Haley Vaughn and Janelle Wheeler....we shall see!!!!! CAN'T wait for the boys tomorrow night!

Nashville Update

So I realized that I haven't posted in quite a few days!...UGGH!..so sorry!...so I have been a little busy! I am currently in my second home NASHVILLE BABY!....We love it here. I have written a couple of really GREAT songs and then Monday night myself, Brent Keith, Alex Wagner Trugman, Ann Marie Boskovich, and Ricky Braddy got together to do a concert called "Idols For Haiti" IT WAS AMAZING!...We had such a GREAT time, not mention just getting together after a long time was awesome! I will post some videos below of the concert! We streamed it live on USTREAM and had over 800 viewers! Well today I am off to write some more HITS! and then have some meetings tomorrow (actually ALL DAY TOMORROW!) then back to the beach on Friday! I will update everyone more after I get home!..In the mean time if you are interested in helping with Haiti Relief check out Bucketofhope.org to find out how you can provide 100 meals to a family in need!

Thanks
Felicia