BROOKE WHITE

Having Reached Rarified Territory As A Top Five Finalist On American Idol,

The Musicians Institute Voice Alum Rocks And Moves The Idol Dome With

Her Takes On The Neil Diamond Classics “I’m A Believer” and “I Am…I Said”

Last week on American Idol, Musicians Institute (www.mi.edu) Voice Alum Brooke White reflected the feelings of millions of her fans across the country with her heartfelt rendition of “You Must Love Me,” the Academy Award winning song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita.

This week, as a member of the rarified group of Top Five Finalists, she got personal while confidently tackling two classics from legendary mentor Neil Diamond. First, accompanying herself on the acoustic guitar, she buoyantly declared “I’m A Believer.” Later, singing and playing the grand piano, she boldly took Diamond’s advice to change the locale of “I Am…I Said” from the original lyric “New York City born and raised” to reflect her Arizona roots.

Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul all responded positively to her take on “I Am…I Said,” referring to her emotional effectiveness when she’s in her comfort zone performing with the piano.

Fans in the forums on www.americanidol.com, rooting for White to make the Top Four, were overwhelmingly positive. One said, “One thing I really like about her is that she’s SO REAL. She seems like the girl next door. But loaded with talent & looks too!” Another wrote: “She was AMAZING! I voted like crazy the whole 2 hours! She really deserves a spot next week” And, referring to her piano and vocal take several weeks ago on a Beatles classic, another Brooke believer added, “I Am…I Said’ was awesome, best performance since ‘Let It Be’ for me.”  read more »

Like all reality TV shows, this show has nothing to do with having true
talent win. It is a bunch of teens choosing the contestants as a popularity
contest, and not choosing the true talented performers a.k.a. the true
American Idol. The past years have shown the progression to the appalling
results of tonight's show. When will the show get back on track and let
those who know real talent choose who stays and who goes.  Carly is in the
top 3 performers of this year's competition, so she leaves all because she
may not be as popular as two singers who who were terrible last night. I
know I will not watch the show anymore.

Musicians Institute Voice Alum Is A Top Six Finalist

On American Idol Thanks To America’s Approval

Of Her Meaty Rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero”

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MI’s Visiting Voice Instructors Ken Stacey and Windy Wagner

Are Top Twenty Finalists in the Idol Songwriter Competition

With “Only Love,” Which They Penned With David Walsh

Simon Cowell may have wondered where the beef was, but America found enough sizzle in Brooke White’s heartfelt rendition of Mariah Carey’s inspirational anthem “Hero” to make the Musicians Institute voice alum a Top Six finalist on American Idol.

Cowell said White’s stripped down piano and vocal version was “like a hamburger without the meat,” but the singer retorted that there are “a lot of vegetarians out there”; those vegetarians, along with millions of other fans of the charming, raspy Carly Simon/Carole King styled singer-songwriter, overrode the famed judge’s opinion and voted her in.

In other American Idol-related MI news, Ken Stacey and Windy Wagner along with co-writer David Walsh have reached the American Idol Songwriting Competition Top 20 with their song, “Only Love.” Wagner (k.d. lang) and Stacey are currently VIT visiting instructors; Stacey was also a regular instructor before leaving the staff to tour with Elton John.

To listen to “Only Love” and other American Idol Top 20 songs and register to vote (free of charge), check out the American Idol site (www.americanidol.com). Voting started Thursday, April 10th and runs for two weeks.  read more »

Andy Kindler and Patton Oswalt Expose the Evils of American Idol and High School Both high school and American Idol feature harsh social criticisms, popularity contests, and shady characters – be it Ryan Seacrest, or the neighborhood creep. But which is more evil – calculus homework, or bad renditions of Aretha Franklin songs aired three times a week? To decide, Patton Oswalt and Andy Kindler go head to head in the court of the honorable judge Lewis Black, the ultimate evaluator of evil. Tune in tonight at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central.

What can I say about American Idol last week? Well, it pretty much sucked. I have watched the show since day one, and there have been some ups and downs and some shocking moments. But last week, was the worst. Let me just start by saying that Idol Gives Back, reminds me of a telethon. I think it's great that they are trying to raise money and help people. But the way they get people to keep repeating the number, gets really old. Just paste the number on the screen and leave it there. Plus all of the fake little speeches, etc. seemed very contrived and cheesy to me.

Thursday's elimination show was rediculous. They started out having the idols sing some song about Jesus. When did this become a religious show? Voting Michael Johns off before Syesha and Kristy Lee is just plain wrong. He was in my top 4, I think America got it wrong. I also think the way Ryan played with him by saying "in the past, during Idol gives back week, we haven't sent anyone home" then booting him was very disrespectful.

Last but not least, can we just get rid of David Archuletta? I'm so sick of his nice guy, no attitude, christian rock ass. I would never listen to him on the radio or buy one of his cd's. Can't you show an edge? Get some nuts man. Tired of this kid.

That's my rant, feel free to comment.