American Idol Finals - Live Thread!!

Fox ^ | May 21, 2003 | all of us

[fightinJAG]

Sounds like something I could handle.

You will find out if I start pinging you one day!

[Howlin]

That's what I do, too!

[RMDupree]

Feel free to add me to your ping lists! I don't mind at all! :)

[republicandiva]

Wow - didn't know this discussion was ongoing! Thanks for all the articles - some interesting stuff.

Saw Ruben and Clay on with Couric the other day, and Regis and dingdong the last two days. I am in total AWE of Clay's voice! There are very few artists that can sound that good live consistently. And, if you haven't already, you can hear a snipet of Clay's recording voice on the AI CD at Amazon - I think it's the same song coming out on his single - it is absolutely breathtaking...with today's technology almost anyone that can somewhat carry a tune can make a decent CD - but Clay's sound and natural musicality is so fresh and unique. I also noticed he's still at number 1.

As far as Ruben, whoever did the arrangement of "Superstar" that he's stuck with should be shot! He sang it on the Today Show - I didn't think it would ever end. And from the way he's performing it, it seems he's not sold on it either. I still think Ruben has a good voice, but if they don't get him some better songs and arrangements, he's gonna be a has been in no time because he has so little personality, and there's nothing behind the voice to carry him through the bad songs.

Howlin - the "gay" stuff seems to be homophobia and jealousy. Clay reminds me so much of at least a dozen guys in high school and college...talented, geeky-type kids that were always in the musicals and that became their identity. Everyone of them I can think of is happily married with a slew of kids. In fact two of them came back home to marry two of the most popular "cheerleader types" from high school. And, yes musicians on the whole are more sensitive, some give off the vibe more than others and it's often misinterpreted. All the people in Raleigh should be (and I'm sure they are) extremely proud. Most pop singers have about a 5-year career expectancy, I expect to be hearing about Clay well past that! Sorry to ramble on, but I honestly have not been so excited about a "pop" singer's voice in a very long time - he is truly a rare talent.

BTW - a new talent show starts tonight on NBC - anyone going to watch?

[Cordova Belle]

Thanks so much for posting the link to THIS thread on the other one! I so enjoyed reading the article from The Herald.

My daughter is STILL saying, "Get over it, Mother!"

And I'm still saying: "The best talent didn't win!"

Glad I'm not the only person still thinking about this! ;-)

[fightinJAG]

Welcome, republicandiva!

I second all your comments.

[duvausa]

Steve Perry had a degenerative hip problem that kept him from touring for TRIAL BY FIRE in 1996(?)—it took him a long time to decide on hip surgery and Journey finally went on without him with their new singer Steve Augeri, who does a really good job of recreating the old hits--but isn't Steve Perry. VH1 has a Behind The Music they play periodically about it all. He agreed to an interview for the show but other than that seems to want nothing to do with show biz anymore. Would love to hear him record that gorgeous voice doing some of the old standards like Rod Stewart recently did.

If you’re interested, Journey has a message board where fans fight over Steve Perry all the time.
http://www.journeymusic.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

[JustPiper]

but isn't Steve Perry

There is only one! Thanx for the link!

[floriduh voter]

I think Fame was on last night but I didn't watch it because it seemed like a choppy show. Don't ask me what that means but they couldn't keep me longer than a minute. After Clay got robbed (but paid handsomely for his graciousness I'm sure), I'm burnt out on reality shows.

Clay's friends couldn't vote for him and neither could lots of us.

I like to hear arrangements but they don't need to make it so long that I lose interest. A couple of verses and chorus are enough for most people's attention span unless it's an aria or monks chanting.

[fightinJAG]

Ping!

AMERICAN IDOL MARINE TO PERFORM AT HOMECOMING

(05-29-2003) - A Marine who came in fourth place on television's "American Idol" program will sing at a city celebration welcoming home sailors and Marines in the Constellation Battle Group.

Lance Cpl. Josh Gracin, 22, will sing patriotic songs at the event that begins at 8 a.m. Monday at the Broadway Pier.

"Lance Corporal Gracin will provide musical inspiration to the crowd gathered on Broadway Pier to welcome home our troops," San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy said.

The Marine Band also will perform, while Navy and Marine personnel already home from Iraq will speak about their war experiences. The Constellation is expected to dock at North Island around 10 a.m. The Valley Forge, Bunker Hill, Milius and Thack will tie up at the 32nd Street Naval Station

[JustPiper]

Fame was surprisingly excellent! It was very sincere and the judges are very good. Carnie Wilson is one and the DJ from KISS LA. The talent is astounding and very serious. Check it out next Wednesday! Being a couch critic is fun ;)

[JustPiper]

Thank you for this Ping! Forwarded it to my sis who is lucky enough to be 1 1/2 hrs from SD!

[merry10]

Ping for Josh Gracin performing at the pier...you should walk down there!

[Ima Lurker]

Thanks for the ping. I'll be home watching Fox in hopes that televise some of it.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

All the calls went to the same computer. The only difference was the computer noted whether the call was to line one or line two. If anything went wrong with the computer or overloaded the computer, both Clay and Ruben were affected at the same time, for the same length of time. Ruben won fair and square.

So how does the computer tally votes when the line is busy? It doesn't! So all the votes did not count. My vote was not counted! That's all we want, just have our votes counted!

[bootless]

Clay seems to have an innate ability for 'interviews'.....he is relaxed, articulate, and has a GREAT sense of timing re: delivering a 'funny'. He also has the ability to laugh at himself.

Being cable-deprived at work, I've only seen one interview, but that's exactly how he came across. It's nice in a person, and also makes for delightful TV. :-)

[bootless]

could you add me, too, please?

[fightinJAG]

Sure, bootless! Thanks for joining us.

[fightinJAG]

You're welcome. If you see it on tv, tell us about it!

[fightinJAG]

Oh, do tell us of any news your sister picks up on the event!