American Juniors, August 5: Never Had a Dream Come True

This is it. There is no tomorrow for the six remaining contestants. Can Danielle White break through? Will people quit haterizing on Morgan Burke? Will A.J.’s Hollywood-ready smile ignite enough hearts to earn votes? Here it comes.

I am brutally honest folks. If me knocking down these young hearts will cause you discomfort, do not pass Go.

Ryan welcomes us and says he is showing visible signs of excitement. I am not looking. He tells us we will see footage from American Idol 3 auditions, the Teen Choice Awards, and we’ll get some Simon Cowell.

Ryan introduces the band, as it was before tonight: Tori Thompson, Taylor Thompson, Chauncey Matthews, and Lucy Hale.

Tonight’s judges are Deborah Gibson, Gladys Knight, and special guest, Dionne Warwick. Ryan says tonight, the contestants will be performing songs from the American Juniors album, with the group! This is an excellent opportunity to see how the band would look altogether, and how the contestants would gel. (This already favors the boys, and will likely make taller Chantel and Katelyn look awkward if they aren’t careful. I’m sure I will be hearing about that!)

On we go...

Morgan Burke, “Bring The House Down”

Deborah says week in and week out, he’s a solid performer, loved his dance moves, amazing. Dionne says she thinks he’s fabulous, energy like she’s never seen. He’s gonna go very far! Gladys said he brings a crispness to the group that she didn’t expect, his energy and dance moves elevated the group. Great, really good!

Morgan was great, but he’s always great. I don’t know that he changed any minds, but who cares. He will rock you! Poor Morgan, not The Most Talented Kid In America, not an American Junior. But, he did his job. You know him now, and he knows your living room. He will be back in it.

Danielle White, “Never Had A Dream Come True”

(audience and judges give a looong standing ovation)

Deborah says Danielle sang from her soul, her key change was wonderful, she has technique, style, she was fantastic. Dionne says she is a star, vocally superb, in tune which is nice, there’s no way she can’t be in the group (heh! She’s not been watching the results shows!). Gladys says she has been waiting a long time to hear a voice like Danielle’s, she feels her spirit, she has a magic and she will be heard from!

(Ryan said he was sitting next to Gladys while Danielle performed – I noticed that he is always watching when Danielle performs, when Jordan is performing, it’s like Where’s Waldo? – and Gladys was making grunts of approval throughout.)

Very nice notices from the judges, and Danielle looked like she needed to hear them! I am supposed to be unbiased, but I am pulling for Danielle like she were my own child. I’ve been getting tons, and I mean tons, of emails from people saying they are behind Danielle too, so what is the problem? She was OUTSTANDING tonight. I have nothing else to say. Perfect. She left me trembling and teary-eyed, and not many modern day performers can do that to me. And I agree, Danielle may be too talented for this group, and I’d rather see her excel alone.

Ryan informs us that the first American Juniors single, “One Step Closer To Heaven,” will be in stores August 12, and the “soundtrack album” (listed on Amazon as “Kids in America”) will be available September 9. You can pre-order them by clicking on the above links.

A.J. Melendez, “Shine”

Deborah says A.J. definitely showed his versatility, he’s a born pop star, and no matter what happens with the group, his future is bright. Dionne says he was sensational, this is like a glimpse at music’s future. He’s all right! Gladys says he was wonderful, still has that charm, very good tonight!

I always liked A.J. and I’m not sure what people aren’t hearing in that voice. It may be a bit mature for his age yet, but he is the real deal, no worries about that. He looked good with the group, and that may pay some dividends for him.