American Idol Stars

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 »

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 »

BLUE SKIES AHEAD FOR MUSICIANS INSTITUTE ALUM BROOKE WHITE, WHOSE CHARMING TAKE ON “HERE COMES THE SUN” VAULTS HER INTO AMERICAN IDOL’S TOP TEN

A Favorite Of Both Fans And The Show’s Judges, White Will Join Her Fellow Idol Top Ten Finalists On Tour This Summer

Musicians Institute voice alum Brooke White brought her bright smile and enough musical sunshine to American Idol’s second Beatles Night to earn her a coveted spot in the competition’s Top Ten.

By winning America’s heart with her earnest rendition of George Harrison’s “Here Comes The Sun,” the Mesa, Arizona native also secured her place alongside her fellow Idol top ten finalists this summer on the show’s annual national tour.
A check of the comments in the viewer forums on the American Idol website reveals the way the singer is capturing hearts across the country. One fan writes, “Is it her sincerity when she sings? Her beautiful, captivating smile? Her quirky, sweet personality? I'd have to say it's all of the above and more. She's the real deal, she’s super cool, and really connects with the music she is singing.”

Others echo the sentiment: “Brooke, thank you for bringing the sweet breeze of real music to this pop-heavy competition.” “I think Brooke is extremely talented. Aside from being a charming young beauty, her voice is impeccable.”
And: “I love everything about Brooke. Her voice is unique, she is a pure soul, and she seems like such a kind and humble person. Brooke is someone who I feel won’t let the spotlight change who she is.”

The previous week, White earned the praises of the notoriously hard to please judge Simon Cowell with her transcendent piano and vocal performance of “Let It Be.” He said, “I thought, Brooke, it was again one of the best performances of the night…a brilliant choice of song…three weeks running now…great!”  read more »

David Hernandez was the first contestant eliminated from the Top 12. I'm not really all that sad to see him go. He had a good run, but I don't think he deserved to go much farther. Now if we could only get rid of Syesha, Chikezie, Amanda and Kristy it'd be a serious contest.

SIMON COWELL'S LOVE AFFAIR CONTINUES

ON AMERICAN IDOL WITH FORMER MUSICIANS INSTITUTE STUDENT BROOKE WHITE

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Former Student Is A Top 12 Finalist On American Idol

"Once again, two weeks running, you've done a great performance!" praised America Idol judge Simon Cowell after Brooke White's rendition of of the emotional Pat Benetar ballad "Love Is A Battlefield" on Wednesday nights show. Brooke was spared Simon's usual "tough as nails" critique after she performed a stripped-down acoustic version of the '80s mega-hit while sitting on the steps of the Idol stage.

White, a recent student at Musicians Institute's Vocal Institute of Technology (VIT), made it through to the final Top 12 contestants on Thursday night's elimination show.

Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over 20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary music. Located just blocks from the Capitol Records tower, MI has an incredible history of innovation dating back to its origins in 1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), which broke new ground as a performance-based contemporary music school taught by working professionals. Within a few years, GIT was joined by bass and drum programs to form Musicians Institute and the evolution has continued to this day with degree and certificate programs for career-minded guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, recording engineers, independent producers, guitar makers, music business professionals and filmmakers.

Luke Menard, well what can I say about Luke? Nothing! I know nothing about him, nor did the show mention him once along the way. Why did they do these elaborate back stories on ALL of the girls, but we've had 4 guys appear out of nowhere? Not one second of them singing, nothing, nada. So it will be interesting to see what Luke Menard actually sounds like in the coming weeks.

Jason Yeager is another guy who got zero exposure. Apparently Jason was on the show Making the Band. But American Idol failed to give us any type of back story, or let us know who he is...at all. Jason Yeager is another person that we haven't heard sing at all. I'm kind of annoyed with some of the things American Idol is doing this year. Jason Yeager may be great, but we don't know yet.

Jason Castro, who the heck is this guy? Again another contestant that we've never seen before. Jason Castro was on the MTV show Cheyenne. We've never heard Jason Castro sing anything yet. I'd like to know a little about these people. I'm not digging the dreads at all, not a good look for a white dude. It will be interesting to actually hear Jason Castro sing.

David Hernandez is one of the people that they didn't show until Hollywood week. The first time we saw him he was singing Love the One Your With. David did a great version of the song. I think David Hernandez has some serious talent. I think he will do well in the competition. Great voice, good stage presence, and a good looking guy to boot. I thought Simon's comment to him after they put him through was kind of rude and uncalled for. David Hernandez is in my top 3 guys for season 7.

Asia’h Epperson did the "my dad just died" sob story thing. Have I mentioned I'm tired of this? She sang How do I Live and it was a pretty emotional performance. Paula Abdul got all choked up and had to leave. I thought Asia'h had a great voice and did very well considering her dad just kicked it. She's a cute girl and we'll have to see how far Asia'h Epperson makes it this year.

Danny Noriega sang Proud Mary. He had a decent audition and deserved to be put through. I think the judges really liked him. He auditioned a few seasons back, but got the boot. He seemed more confident this time around. He seemed a little feminine to me. Reminded me a bit of Sanjaya, but with talent. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Danny Noriega this year.

Chikezie Eze was great, I loved his audition. He sang All the Woman I Need and totally blew off Simon when he was asked to stop singing. Chikezie had a great sounding voice and I think he could do well in this competition. What's up with that name tho, Chikezie Eze...that has to be made up. I'm all for stage names, but pick something good Chikezie. Chikezie Eze had auditioned back in season 6.

Alesha Stezel should have never made it through. I hated her singing, the way she pronounced words, and her R's. No way. Alesha got lucky when the said she sounded like Dolly Parton. Even tho Alesha did better the second time around, it still was no where near up to par. I think Alesha Stezel should be thankful she made it to Hollywood. I think Ms. Stezel will be cut immediately tho.

JoAnne Borgella had a great voice. I really loved her audition. JoAnne is a plus sized model and was very beautiful. Simon said no to her, which really surprised me. Simon has made some interesting choices in season 7, not sure what's up with him this year. I think with some work JoAnne Borgella could do well this year.

Cardin McKinney was great if you asked me. Very good look to her, plus she had a great voice. Seemed very confident and pleasant and the judges really liked her. I think if Cardin works hard this year, she could go very far. I think Cardin McKinney might be in my top 5 girls to watch this year. Although it's hard to say, since it seems like there are a ton of people that made it throught that they didn't show. So there could be a sleeper in there somewhere, but Cardin McKinney will do well.