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.