Week 4A - San Antonio

Last week of auditions...thank God!

Brian Kyrish looks scary from the get go. Yeah. I'd recommend anger management.

Haley Scarnato - Very nice. I have high hopes. She moved me, but I agree with Simon about the 'unique' or 'it' factor being in absence thus far. Hopefully she can bring it.

Jasmine Holland - nasal and banal. But must the boyz laff?

Baylie Brown - young, but quite attractive, and holds her own vocally. I think America will love her! Naturally Simon spots her right away.

Again with the stoopid door game?! Puh-leeze!

William Green - instead of laughing, why don't they just stop him?

His cousin, Akron Watson, did quite well. I liked him a lot, but he'll have to work hard, I think.

Sandie Chavez - the Phoebe Snow of AI auditions - fair in her very unique stylized way, but definitely an acquired taste.

Ashlyn Carr - beautiful young lady, and enough talent with her smokey voice to go a long way. I was typing, so I missed the facial expressions the judges got down on. I think they made a big mistake declining her. Simon acknowledges that, thank God. I looked more closely at the facial expressions the second time around. I don't think they're as much of a distraction as the judges do, but I understand their intent. On the other hand, Katharine McPhee's "voices in my head" remark comes to mind, and I wonder if she won't 'sink beneath their wisdom like a stone' during the coming weeks.

Jimmy McNeal - very melodious and powerful voice. I like him!

More auditions tomorrow? Yes - 'The Best of the Rest'. See you then...

...John