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My name is Annie Hundley and I'm the editor here at valleynews.com. My blog will range from what's up with the site to life for a newbie in LA.

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Singers shine while Idol gives back

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Contributed by: Annie Hundley / valleynews.com on 4/25/2007

I can't say enough how glad I am Sanjaya is gone.

Last night's American Idol was the best episode of the season so far, with every contestant offering great performances.

"It feels that the competition starts properly tonight," Simon Cowell said. I agree!

Last night was the first of a two-night "Idol Gives Back" extravaganza. The way it works is for each vote cast last night, corporate sponsors committed to donating a given amount. If the show reached the cap - 50 million votes - it will have raised $5 million for aid to Africa and poor regions in America.

The singing was weaved in with short spots about the issues at hand - conditions for people, particularly children, in Africa's slums, homelessness in Atlanta, illiteracy in Appalachia and those still reeling from Hurricane Katrina.

My favorite bit was when they sent Simon to a food bank in L.A. - 20 minutes from his house. Simon was absolutely dumbstruck to hear that people in America are starving and he said he had no idea such a thing as a food bank existed in America. If Simon doesn't know this, as worldly of a guy he must be, imagine all those middle and upper class people watching who didn't know either. Simon truly seemed like he was having a break-through moment, telling two volunteers "I've never met nice people before! Give me a hug!" Sounds like Simon might need to pop out of filthy-rich land and start volunteering. It could cheer him up.

OK, now back to the singing. The six remaining contestants chose songs of inspiration.

Chris Richardson kicked off the night singing Eric Clapton's Change the World. I thought he missed a few notes, but the judges loved it. "For the first time in a long time, you're in it to win it, dude," Randy said.

Melinda Doolittle kicked it up a notch singing There Will Come a Day by Faith Hill. She was even better than usual and I had goose bumps through the whole song. "You've got it all together," Randy said. "I don't even know what to say anymore. Melinda, you have arrived." Simon praised Melinda for not copying Hill, saying "you made me believe you recorded it. That was a vocal master class."

Blake Lewis sang John Lennon's Imagine. It was a quiet, steady performance, which got mixed reviews. Randy said he wished Blake had done more with the song, but Paula argued that Blake respected the song by keeping it simple. "It was the first real, sensitive performance we've seen from you. I really enjoyed it." Simon said it all came down to the fact that Blake sang the song with sincerity, so he thought it worked.

LaKisha Jones sang former Idol Fantasia's song I Believe. I thought it was good, but there's still something about LaKisha lately that's holding back on that inner diva I know is inside her. The song was just missing something. Randy said he liked it, but it wasn't her best. Paula called LaKisha a "powerhouse vocalist" and Simon said she sounded like she was shouting through parts.

Phil Stacey stuck with country this week, singing The Change by Garth Brooks. Randy praised Phil for coming back with another strong performance. Paula said Phil had found his comfort with country and that this performance was his best. Simon said country suits Phil well, but encouraged him to go for a more country tone in his voice next time.

Jordin Sparks. Jordin, in my opinion, blew everybody else out of the water. She was amazing. Jordin sang You'll Never Walk Alone - a perfect message to close out the show. Jordin impresses me because she not only is an incredible singer, but she understands and feels what she's singing. She allows herself to be moved by the songs she sings - something that seems simple but not many of the contestants have managed to do it. Paula said Jordin's vocal was one of the best from all six seasons. Simon said, "I thought you were fantastic. That song is 60 years old, but I think you could have a hit record with that."

For the record, I voted for Blake, Melinda and Jordin. I also voted for 30 times! If I did the math right, that raised $3.

If you missed the voting, click here to donate.

Tonight is the big two hour results spectacular. It'll be held at two locations, with Ryan Seacrest hosting the results part and Ellen Degeneres hosting the entertainment part at the Disney Hall. They're expecting big names like Bono, Annie Lenox, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani. Of course there also will be a few "huh?" acts like Earth, Wind and Fire and the Cowell moneymaker Il Divo. Should be an entertaining show!

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Submitted By: Robin Nolet

posted on 4/25/2007 @ 3:03:41 PM

Rated Blog Entry

I think Simon had a personal epiphany at that L.A. food bank! Did you see how nice he was last night? Could he possibly be...dare I say, a changed man? Naw! I agree, Jordin's song was a wonderful way to end a show like this-not only because of the theme of giving back, but because we really are finally down to the serious six who are in it to win! Tonight should be interesting. Great blog, as usual, Annie! :-)http://denver.yourhub.com/Parker/Blogs/Arts-Entertainment/Music/Blog~299382.aspx

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Annie Hundley

Woodland Hills , CALIFORNIA

Annie Hundley has posted 65 blog entries and 19 comments since joining on 7/24/2006. Annie Hundley's average blog rating is 4.87.

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