I will start with my never ending surprise when a singer that I know to be excellent, beautiful, and quite capable, is auditioning for American Idol and doesn’t get past the first set of producers. This happened again recently, when Dayna Kovicic went to New Orleans AND Austin, Texas to audition and nothing happened. This girl is as beautiful as Brooke Shields and has talent to spare.

I asked her who was going through? She said some people in costumes and some people who were seemingly normal. She had no expectations because we had talked about the process and I was familiar with other singers I knew to be great singers who also didn’t make the cut. She chalked it up to experience and enjoyed the ride. I was a little more upset and confused. What, I thought, do they want?

Cut to a few weeks later, my student Nancy is planning on auditioning in San Francisco. Nancy is a teenager, and only recently started with me, and I felt she wasn’t quite ready. I mean, once you get there, If you get there, the competition gets very intense and you need to be a great singer, not just good. That was the problem last season, it was filled with “good” not great singers. The ratings went down, and it lost a lot of it’s magic. There was no one to root for.

So, Nancy wants to do this and won’t wait til next year. Now we picked a great song that would be easy for her and showed her personality. Stupid Cupid by Connie Francis and more recently Mandy Moore. we worked hard on the song and I asked her to cut off the notes and clip them to make it authentic and 50′s. You see Nancy has a high Beehive hairdo, and even to lessons wears stilletto’s and her hair high, with cute little dress”s. Nancy would, I know get their attention. But I wanted her to also be able to be able to keep their attention once they saw her.  She always wears eyeliner and red lipstick, that IS who she is. She is what the show is about at the beginning when they find characters in line. But she is for real, and I did not want them to make fun of her or hurt her feelings.

Nancy called me from the first day,“She was handed a green sticker from a man who told her to wear it when she went to sing.” Nancy knew then, when no one else had a green sticker, she was probably juiced in. She accepted that and was going to sing great to make sure she stayed in the game. She and the two other people with her were rejected. Nancy was crying and going to get her mom when the man ran after her and said “Hey, where are you going?”

She told him she was rejected and he said “Oh no,” took her by the arm and went back to the table where she sang, and was put through. Now she was happy, she went through the second round of judges and flew home to Vegas , told to come back 2 days later for a third audition.

The third audition was the one where they told her she just wasn’t strong enough, and it was a tough competition. She came home happy, knowing she did the best she could, and knowing that her “Look” got her through the first round.

I am happy that she was happy. They also had her on camera in line and the cameraman did photograph her and ask about her hair. There is a chance she will be on TV from this interview.  I think Nancy has “it” and will be fine, and this experience was great for her.

American Idol has give us a few blessings,  Carrie, Kelly, Daughtry, Jennifer, to mention a few. So this is a recent complaint about the last 2 years. Before that I believe they were on track.

As far as America’s Got Talent Las Vegan contestant, Michael Grimm, is in the finals and deserves to be. He comes across very well, and having seen him live here in Vegas, I am a big fan. That show is also a circus. A singer going against a dance troupe going against a fire eater going against a duo and on and on! I just don’t get it.

Bring back Star Search, or anything that brought us real talent. Leanne Rhinnes came from star Search, Brad Garrett also. I just am so tired of seeing  people telling people how great they are, and then they get a million dollars for being mediocre. Here we go with another season of millions of singers trying to make it in the business we call Show.

Listen, it isn’t all it’s made out to be. It can be a real drag, hence Fantasia!!!   Have a back up plan, Take it from me!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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I love that the TV show, Glee, has taken off.  The musical numbers are beautifully crafted. The talent is endless. I find the adult content in a high school realistic and brutally honest. My favorite singer {alive} is Idina Menzel, the brilliant casting of her as lea Michelle’s mother, is genious.. They sound so much a like that on the CD I can barely tell them apart.

Every cast member has their own unique talent and niche. They have infused some dancers to really make it a production everytime they do a number. Kristen Chenowith, and Neil Patrick Harris have added a lot. The coach character, antagonist, Jane Lynch can get on my nerves and sometimes I wish she would take a week off. Mercedes, the black singer is amazing, and is consistent. When they took the coach and let her run with Madonna’s Vogue, I was shocked. Even she could sing!

I think all my students should watch this show as homework, this is a study of people who know their craft. triple threats, sing, dance, act. The subject matter may be a little mature for the little ones, but if you are over 11, this show is for you. The producer, Ryan Murphy, has struck a chord with the country. He knew exactly what would work, who would would work, and gave us this magical gift, Glee.

Glee is this generation’s Fame; and they knew the formula. I’m hooked, I am even looking forward to the Thursday night re-runs starting soon. Any show that can do Lady Gaga’s Poker Face as a ballad with Idina and Lea kicking butt, is worth gold.

Watching Glee, in its entirety, or just for the music performances, is worthwhile for every singer. Both Seasons 1 & 2 are out on DVD. It’s worth the investment.

Jessica Marciel

Las Vegas Vocal Training

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I know more people who have been to a Daughtry concert, then a Carrie, or Kelly, Ruben, or Fantasia one. It doesn’t matter who wins next week. The final 10 or 12 have a better shot than the winner.

Why? Because the winner is under contract and has to record what they tell them, and won’t make a dime until the CD is released, and touring. OK, they probably give an advance for living expenses. The big number they can make for the CD,, drum roll,,,,,,, 100,000$ That is it.  That is not a lot of money. Not for being an American Idol!

The final 12 will make some money on the Ford commercials, and the short summer tour. Then they are on their own. The lucky ones, probably, Mike Lynch, and perhaps Casey, will be recording. No One will be as big as Adam Lambert.  So, Casey went home tonight, and that is right. He didn’t deserve to be in the finals. But I’m not buying those CD’s. I am buying the good stuff. There are enough little girls who will buy Casey‘s CD’s. That is our freedom as a nation, someone for everyone.

I am hoping that next season is more exciting, more surprising, and that whoever replaces Simon will be someone who helps and advices. I wish the Producers would change and let the voice coach’s actually HELP the contestants and not tie their hands.

I am guessing this will be a very close race next week. Lee has closed in on Crystal big time, and I am not sure she could emotionally handle winning. My guess is she is missing her child very much. She seems fragile to me. She reminds me of Janis Joplin, a small, talented, shy little girl, to whom fame came on blasting and blaring. I met Janis backstage at HAIR, when I was just 18.  She was a regular girl. Small and sweet, and much prettier than her pictures.  Whoever it will be next week, I will be very very busy getting people ready for the auditions coming soon to a town kind of near you. It is a busy crazy time for me, and I will start my vitamins tomorrow!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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The facts are in, Mike and Crystal were in the bottom two. These are the strongest singers in the competition. This is a telling verdict indeed. This is what happens.  The demographic is between 10 and 17-year olds. These are the oners who text and call over and over again. This is why Casey is still in the race.  This is why  people bought Hannah Montana for so many years and are growing up with Miley Cyrus and sticking by her.

It is a sad thing  when being just all right is good enough to become a big star and sell out concerts. I still believe that the stongest ones will out sell the winner. Example: Daughtry, he didn’t win, but he is the 3rd best selling Idol there is. Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are the two top selling  Idols and they have  enormous talent.

It isn’t the winner who gets the long career, winning is a short step to opportunity, and a chance that few get. But the national exposure you get from being on this show can make or break you. Be ready when you audition to knock America’s socks off.

Fantasia was on the show tonight, not very impressive, has not done a thing for three years, and she was a winner. look at Jordin Sparks, she is very successful. She is amazing and I love her songs.

I won’t be sad and I am not too surprised about Mike leaving.  People like myself were not burning up the phone lines or texting. Sorry Mike, but you  will be fine. I will be expecting great things from you.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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First of all Kara looks good tonight with no bling. Second, Jamie Foxx will be fun.

I liked Mike singing the theme song from “Free Willy”. The judges were jerks. Crystal and Lee are dueting, how exciting, not. Lee really lost me with Seals, “Kiss from a Rose” He needs to redeem himself. Lee and Crystal did “Falling Slowly” from “Once”, never heard of it. Kris Allen did it last year, never heard of it then either.

The judges just can’t seem to have anything original to say. The same old stuff every week.

Casey did “Mrs. Robinson” and it was OK. Did he shave? he looks different. Isn’t it time for him to go?

This season is so boring. There isn’t a great singer among them. They called Lee and Crystal great singers, I think they are drinking too much Red Bull. The country is drinking too much something to be still voting. The one thing I agree with Simon on the song choices tonight are just crazy bad. Songs from “Caddyshack”??? Pulleeze.

If Mike doesn’t win, then I give up. He is the only hope of having true success.

So far, everyone but Mike should go home. The only good thing about tonight is that Glee is on next. If I am not bolding the names tonight, it’s because I’m having bold issues with the laptop. I just want to hear the great singers on Glee and find out who goes home tomorrow.

Will I be voting? Umm don’t think so. Come-on Glee is on!!

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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The only good thing about American Idol tonight is Harry Connick Jr.. Can’t wait for him. The opening number is usually  pre-recorded and pretty good, but once in awhile, thought, hmm, this must be live because it was out of tune?

I’m going to skip all the hooplah on Lady Ga Ga, thank you. Better part of the show was showing rehearsal, and the stand in judges, a black man, a blonde, a brunette, and a white guy!! Very funny bit.

The contestants did a medley of Harry Connick songs, clever. The songs were pre-recorded, so it was great.  Harry Connick was OK, He is very funny, good actor, prefer him on films now.  Now we  have Michael Buble?  Is that mean?  But he is adorable and funny so he can stay.

So  the  drum roll  please:  Aaron says bye bye. Bye Aaron, you were one lucky guy to stay this long.

Jessica Marciel
Las Vegas Vocal Training

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