Neil Diamond. I sure wish they could get him to do their show one week.
Can older 'American Idol' singers find success?
By Lynn Elber
AP Television Writer
LOS ANGELES — When "American Idol" contestant Taylor Hicks belted out Stevie Wonder's golden oldie "Living for the City" there was scant age difference between the singer and the 32-year-old song.
Hicks, 29, and other "Idol" finalists edging near 30 are testing the limits of just how old an aspiring pop star can be and still gain acceptance from the music industry and the public — while the TV contest reaps the rewards of showcasing older performers.
The top-rated Fox show is attracting a bigger audience than ever in its fifth edition as it offers a wider range of talent, which producers say is why they raised the audition age limit from 24 to 28 last year.
This season, the change opened the door for half of the dozen finalists: Besides Hicks, who turned 29 after making the cut, there's Mandisa, also 29; Bucky Covington, 28; Chris Daughtry, 26; Elliott Yamin, 27, and Ace Young, 25.
~SNIP~
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060324/idol.shtml