[Howlin]

Here we are for tonight!

[Fawnn]

I suddenly have a craving for some popcorn. ;)

[mystery-ak]

Im ready...busy night..AI and 24...no phone calls, please!

oh, btw.....GO CLAY!!!

[Luis Gonzalez]

Round 1 goes to Clay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[republicandiva]

I had my hot little fingers ready to press the last two digits (02, of course) the second Seacrest said the lines were open and STILL COULDN'T GET THROUGH!!!!

[Biblical Calvinist]

Well, (Dallas Texas here;) I voted CONSTANTLY throughout the 3 hour time frame; Every time I hit the redial button, I got a busy signal 6 times out of ten calls. BUT I WAS able to get through. I dunno how many times I actually DID vote, but it must have been around 300 times or more during the 3 hours. Hope Clay wins !

GO CLAY ~!

[fightinJAG]

Thanks for the ping, Howlin, although I couldn't make it during the show. Haven't read the thread yet, either, but will say I thought Clay did a GREAT job tonight.

Ruben was the one I thought was off.

[Mr. Bird]

OK. I've digested the performances of last night. I thought Ruben was fine, but wholly unimpressive. I thought this was the show that they'd have to come out swinging, and he just didn't project any added enthusiasm over what he normally does. I think his third song, the one about flying without wings, was a sop. It must be either a regional or sub-genre favorite, because I've never heard it, and I've been exposed to a lot. I think that will hurt him in the voting.

As for Clay, when they announced he was singing an original, I braced for the worst. When he finished, it was pretty clear that the writer wrote it specifically for him, because he absolutely nailed it. "Here, There, and Everywhere" was a let down, as far as I'm concerned. He could have stepped on Ruben's throat with another home run there. Finally, "Bridge Over Troubled Water". I was certain he'd chosen the song. I was horrified when it started up tempo. That's like speeding up "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve. He did a great job with it, but I think a stripped down version would have sealed the deal for him.

Prediction: Aiken by TKO.