American Idol chooses 12 finalists

The voters have spoken. Preliminaries are over and American Idol is down to 12 finalists. The most closely watched reality show on TV is on the final leg of its search for the lucky boy or girl who will follow in the footsteps of Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia and Carrie Underwood.

Let’s take a look at those in the running. Paris Bennett, 17, has been singing since she was four years old. She’s also a dancer. Kevin Covais, 16, is a high school junior who is a member of a chorale and jazz ensemble. Bucky Covington, 28, started late. He was already 19 when he picked up the guitar. He is now a member of a rock band. Chris Daughtry, 26, is a songwriter-guitarist who is a service advisor for a car dealership. Taylor Hicks, 29, is a writer and harmonica player who has toured the honky tonks of America.

Mandisa Hundley, 29, is studying singing although she has already fronted for many big names in country music. Melissa McGhee, 21, has been performing since she was four. Katharine McPhee, 21, has a mother who is a singer and vocal coach. Kellie Pickler, 19, is a waitress who started performing only four years ago.

Lisa Tucker, 16, was the original young Nala in the LA production of The Lion King. Elliot Yamin, 27, has dreamed of following in the footsteps of his mother, a professional singer. Ace Young, 25, works in sales and home remodeling but has been singing since he was 11.

I still find the idea of narrowing the choices down to six boys and six girls most unfair. What if there are seven exceptionally-talented boys and only five deserving girls? Gedeon McKinney, 17, is one of the better singers in this year’s batch. But she had to be eliminated because of the six only rule. But rules are rules.

Come to think of it, I have a feeling this will be a good year for the boys. Those who have manifested originality and showed consistent improvement during the prelims were the males. The girls in this batch are certainly prettier but singing-wise, only a few hit the mark. Studdard was the only male contestant to have won the title. So it is about time Idol comes up with another one.

As for last year’s batch, winner Carrie and runner-up Bo Bice are doing very well with their debut releases. Pretty Carrie, in particular, is among this year’s nominees in the prestigious Country Music Awards. She is in the running for Top Female Artist and Top New Female Artist while Jesus Take the Wheel, the hit single from her album Some Hearts, is up for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Some Hearts is proof that Carrie was indeed born to be a country music star. Given her popularity as last year’s American Idol, I will not be surprised if her music crosses over to pop or other genres. But even if she doesn’t, she has already found her true niche and will most likely give the likes of Faith Hill, Martina McBride and other country music divas a big run for their money. Truth to tell, what I could not help thinking while listening to Some Hearts was why Carrie had to join Idol to be discovered. I am sure talent seekers who passed up on her are now stewing in mounds of regret.

Some Hearts is a sampler of sorts about what Carrie can do. Jesus Take the Wheel shows off the pipes that won her the title. I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore is her passport to country stardom. She also rocks in We’re Young and Beautiful. But maybe because I am Pinoy and a sucker for lovelorn ballads like Don’t Forget to Remember Me and the bonus track, Inside Your Heaven.

Rocker Bo Bice came in second to Carrie in last year’s competition but I do not think there would have been any howls of protest had he won. In fact, the great Clive Davis himself, the man behind the hits of Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow and many others, personally took charge of Bo’s debut album. Titled The Real Thing, it is a soulful mix of rock and country featuring one of the most expressive voices in the charts these days backed up by really big names in the business.

The Real Thing, a gut-wrenching ballad is the big winner in Bo’s album. It’s biggest rivals are Nothing Without You which was written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and John Shanks and Bo’s own Valley of Angels. He also rocks with a composition by Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, You’re Everything, while Ben Moody of Evanescence produced My World.