Scotty McCreery performs ‘Letters from Home’ for semifinalist competition

The audience was bigger and, of course, the stakes much higher.
McCreery was the eighth singer to perform, introduced by host Ryan Seacrest as “Garner, North Carolina’s hometown hero.”
McCreery sat on a stool and sang “Letters From Home” by John Michael Montgomery. The song ended on a high note, literally — or at least a higher note than we’re used to hearing from this deep-voiced country singer.
The song was warmly received by the audience  — many jumped to their feet at the end — and by the judges.
“I don’t think you could have picked a better song,” Steven Tyler said. “You did it again.”
Jennifer Lopez recalled that McCreery had said he wouldn’t have let himself go through to the next roun. She disagreed, and this performance is why, she said.
“You were born to sing country music.”
Presumably impressed that McCreery nailed a tune not originally performed by Josh Turner, Randy Jackson said, “Love that you switched it up.”
As he first pointed out in  Jackson said again that McCreery is a “throwback country guy.”

Jacob Lusk channels Luther Vandross on 'A House Is Not a Home'

Jacob Lusk picks a great old Burt Bacharach/Hal David ballad, A House Is Not a Home, famously recorded by both Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross. Jacob, wearing an elegant dark suit and two earrings, cuts a figure somewhere between the two. His performance isn't understated, exactly, but it's wonderfully nuanced. Subtle, even, which isn't a word I would have used previously to describe Jacob. And there are a couple runs in there I'd kill to be able to pull off.
That the American people get to hear a voice like that today is just unbelievable," Steven says. He's honored to be in Jacob's presence. "Divine intervention."
Jennifer says that Luther Vandross was her favorite singer of all time. "He's gone, but now we have you."
Randy: "Jennifer was right. I think Luther would be so proud of you." He also compares him to the great gospel singer Rance Allen, which is a perfect reference point. If you don't know Rance's voice, find some performance videos and you'll see what I mean.

Now American Idol 2011 Online Voting Continues-Americon Idol Vote

After weeks of sob-story auditions and dramatic Hollywood-Week meltdowns, American Idol finally made it to the big stage. And that big stage swallowed up some of the competitors.  Top 24 middle rounds have gone on too long, tonight proved that not every singer who is deemed a semifinalist deserves to get the full production number.
Kelly Clarkson gave "Idol" the right push and subsequent seasons followed the precedent. Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood, Academy and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson and American Music Awards winner Chris Daughtry are only a few of the many success stories that have come from many seasons of high ratings, insightful judges and unbelievable talent.
Following the parade of male hopefuls, some 90 minutes after arriving at CBS Television City's Stage 36, the show was finally ready to start. Ryan Seacrest made his entrance and took a look around paying special mind to the upper rafters behind the stage, whose only view of the evening's ceremonies was a giant LED screen across the way. "Turn on the big screen, PLEASE," the more unfortunate pleaded. It would come soon enough.

CHARLIE SHEEN ASSAILS TWO AND A HALF MEN

Yep, things between Two And A Half Men star Charlie Sheen and creator Chuck Lorre just got a lot worse. Following his verbal assault on Lorre, whom he calls by his "real name Chaim Levine", in a radio interview this morning, Sheen went way further in a TMZ  this afternoon. "I violently hate Haim Levine," Sheen said in what is probably the harshest statement by a series star about their showrunner. "He's a stupid, stupid little man and a p**sy punk that I'd never want to be like. That's me being polite. That piece of s**t took money out of my pocket, my family's pocket, and, most importantly, my second family -- my crew's pocket... You can tell him one thing.  I own him." He proceeded to challenge Lorre to a fight. "If he wins, then he can leave MY show, Sheen said.
 When we thought Charlie Sheen's planned reunion with the cast and crew of Two and a Half Men next week could not get more awkward, it just did. In another surreal, rambling live radio interview, this time on the Alex Jones Show, Sheen unleashed a tirade at Men creator-executive producer Chuck Lorre over Lorre's recent tongue-in-cheek vanity card at the conclusion of the show's most recent original that ended with "If Charlie Sheen outlives me, I'm gonna be really pissed."

Fifth Third Bank Highland Park Celebrates Artist Shee

hurs., Feb. 24, 2011 (Highland Park) – Fifth Third Bank of Highland Park held a reception to preview the work of well-known artist Artist Shee. Artist Shee and his wife were feted by HP's business community at an event by Fifth Third. Artist Shee's exhibit of oil paintings and sculpture will open for the public on March 4 at the Highland Park Arts Center. "We're a bank walking the talk when it comes to investing time, energy and talent in our communities," Tim Hannahs, SVP, Fifth Third Chicago.

Seven Wonders Of the Ancient World

The list of seven wonders of the world, has always been a great amusement for all of us, as it was an insight of all the unusual and unique natural and man made structures around the world. This list had been changed and a set of new seven wonders of the world was declared but was this kind of list also present in the ancient times? Research has proved that infact it did, in the ancient Greek.

A new research has now found out the list of 'The Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World'. Reportedly, the Greek took great marvel in rating any structure which was made. As the number seven has religious connotation in Greek culture that number was taken to rank the best creation. Thus, the 'Seven Wonders Of The Ancient World' was not listed at the same time. The creations were listed as and when they were created. There was actually no one list of the wonders. Their were different lists compiled by any Greek writers out of which Antipater of Sidon, and Philon of Byzantium, made the best list. The list which has been recognized was created in the 2nd century BC by Antipater of Sidon.

Hawaii earthquake jolts

A small earthquake has hit Hawaii, with a jolt felt across Honolulu.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 3.6 temblor struck at 2:12 p.m. on Thursday in between the islands of Oahu and Molokai.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. No tsunami was generated.

The quake that lasted for several seconds shook homes and people throughout Oahu, from high-rise buildings in downtown Honolulu to the tourist district of Waikiki.A small earthquake has hit Hawaii, with a jolt felt across Honolulu.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the magnitude 3.6 temblor struck at 2:12 p.m. on Thursday in between the islands of Oahu and Molokai.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. No tsunami was generated.