American Idol 2, March 11: Make Me Motown

The preliminaries are done. It is time to put up or shut-up. The Top 12, as chosen by America and/or judges, get their first opportunity to feed off a live audience who loved them, and ignore the judges, who may not. Some of them clearly sparkled, a few were blinded by the lights. But, what an incredible night of performances! Not a Nikki McKibbin among them.

Ryan Seacrest shows us the new sound stage, and there are lights! Oooh! Ryan also explains the rules... one of the 12 will be eliminated based on America's votes... yadda yadda... it's like explaining tic tac toe at this point, isn't it? Ryan reintroduces us to the Top 12 and announces tonight it is Motown night! And, all of the songs performed will be songs written by tonight's celebrity judge, the amazing Lamont Dozier! (I am a bit reluctant to embrace the idea of celebrity judges who will not say anything of importance or know the contestants well enough to know when they are performing at their best or not, but Lamont was respectful to the contestants, and only had one well-worded negative critique. If they all will be like him, if there are to be more, I can be okay with it.)

And now, on to the performances!

Let's get to know Kimberley Locke. She's from Gallatin, TN, population 20,000, from racially mixed parents, and says singing is an outlet for her. Her Mom says Kimberley watched The Wizard of Oz a gazillion times (we've heard her sing "Over the Rainbow" almost as many times). Kimberley says being on show is her Oz (not the prison show).

Kimberley Locke, "Heat Wave"

Randy - "hard to go 1st... good, but not the best we've heard from... song didn't allow riffs and runs... okay"

Paula - "look beautiful... did you know there were flames behind you, wasn't best performance, but had everyone on their feet"

Simon - "thought sung stunk (teasing Lamont Dozier)... flames made you like a Burger King commercial... it was okay"

Lamont- "great energy... looked like you were ready for business... good job"

Sting7- I angry with Randy that the song let her down. Not that there is anything wrong with Heat Wave, but it doesn't give a singer like Kimberley room to breathe and riff like she wants. She sounded trapped, but it wasn't her fault. "Heat Wave" is better suited to a weaker voice than hers.

Meet Joshua Gracin. He lives in Oceanside, CA, married father at 22, and is a Marine. Met his wife in high school. Lives on base, sergeant says on base his first name is "Lance Corporal" (oh, let up!).

Joshua Gracin, "Baby, I Need Your Lovin'"

Randy - "different kind of song for you... waiting for personality to come out, did good job with that... I ain't mad at you."

Paula - "consistency is key and raising the bar... you've been consistent... well done."

Simon - "you're a Marine, take that silly necklace off... you are consistent... not best I've heard you do... could lose a few pounds (what??). (Joshua challenged Simon to do some push-ups with him, did about seven crisp ones, one with clap - the mountains will crumble into the sea, the day I can do that - ... not a bead of sweat popped. Simon did none, just smirked.)

Lamont- "not Levi Stubbs... came with it... came with your heart... can't ask for more than that."

Sting7- Joshua genuinely surprised me. He showed much more range than I thought he would have. But, Motown is not for him; he must be very, very careful with song selection. It could make or break him, his voice is subtle, and could be overpowered easily.

Here's Charles Grigsby! From Oberlin, OH, baby of six children, says his mother is his strongest influence, sang first tenor in church choir before voice changed. He's known for singing while stocking shelves at grocery store job. I'm getting sick.

Charles Grigsby, "How Sweet It Is"

Randy - "it was alright... wasn't the best we've heard from you... didn't see any personality"

Paula - "amazing profile... welcome to competition... great job (She clearly didn't have the heart to say she didn't like it. He answered with a, "Aw, thank you, Paula!" that was so sweet, you had to shake your head.)

Lamont - "hard song to sing... even Marvin Gaye struggled with it... you got through it... it was good"

Simon - "Lamont said it best, you got through it... it was good (shrugs)."

Sting7- He's such a nice kid, you hate to disappoint him, but he had this awkward bounce he did throughout the whole song, stage presence was pretty awful, and vocally, he was washed out. Not a good showing, but I honestly don't know how he got there in the first place. It doesn't help that he did the song that did AJ Gil in, and AJ has a better voice.

Introducing Kimberly Caldwell. From Katy, TX, performed as a child (in those clips, she looked eerily like Jon-Benet Ramsey), Mom says she scares off boys from her little sister, may marry her truck, got call from Melissa Etheridge when she didn't advance.

Kimberly Caldwell, "Nowhere To Run"

Randy - "loved the attitude... loved your voice... tried to rock it out a little... I felt it"

Paula - "you looked comfortable... your whole vibe, you're there!"

Simon - "excellent... best so far tonight... well done"

Lamont- "you brought it to us!"

Sting7- This was the one that I was waiting for! Kimberly looked completely at ease, and hot, her voice was great, she had the whole package. I'm glad for her.